I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret 🥂 EP10-20 Full Movie 💔 Ultimate Betrayal | Dailymotion #ReelShort─影片 Dailymotion

ReelShort Unlocked

😊Click to download the app to watch all episodes for free: https://reelslink.com/marketing/ntRFQM 🌎For FULL HD Episodes on ReelShort site:🔗 https://www.reelshort.com/movie/i-flew-home-pregnant-only-to-see-his-secret-6aa0e4992d54042dab0172a6  🍁Notice: ReelShort Unlocked is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.  [☕ SPILLING THE TEA] Imagine flying home pregnant to surprise your husband on your 7th anniversary, only to catch him on a romantic date with another woman! 🤬  Instead of crying, Amelia does the unthinkable. She packs her bags, hands him divorce papers using the exact prenup HE wrote, and steps back into her true power. Turns out, the "stay-at-home wife" he cheated on is actually Dr. Amelia Voss—a genius creator and co-founder of a top-tier tech lab! 🧬  Now, she is taking 75% of his assets, winning sole custody of their daughter, and leaving him in the dust. Watch the cheating husband lose absolutely everything when it's all too late!  ✨ THEMES: Toxic Romance, Caught Cheating, All-Too-Late, Romance

Transcript

00:00:12To be continued...

00:00:30I stood at the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:00:33My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

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

00:00:38Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:00:42Cole is gone. I have to go to Cassidy right away.

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

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

00:00:50After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:00:54Henry said nothing more.

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

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

00:00:59I didn't cry.

00:01:00I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:01:02I opened my phone.

00:01:04I sent Trevor a text.

00:01:05Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:01:07Just the three of us.

00:01:08A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:01:10I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:01:12He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:01:15Got it. You set the time.

00:01:16Looking at that, got it.

00:01:17I nearly laughed out loud.

00:01:20Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:01:24Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:01:27Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:01:30I wrote back.

00:01:31I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins, just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:01:36Today was my 31st birthday.

00:01:37It was also our seventh wedding anniversary.

00:01:39The doctor told me not to fly.

00:01:41I flew anyway.

00:01:42Not because of love.

00:01:44Because, after seven years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:01:48I told the babies in my belly, this is the last time.

00:01:50After this, we stopped waiting for him.

00:01:52He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:01:55Tomorrow morning at nine, he would find out what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:02:00By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past nine at night.

00:02:04I thought that, if only for the sake of these seven years, he should come home tonight.

00:02:08When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:02:12There was nothing from Trevor.

00:02:17By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.

00:02:21Henry opened the door for me.

00:02:22Mrs. Hale, you...

00:02:23What brings you here?

00:02:25Where's Trevor?

00:02:26And Adi?

00:02:27Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:02:29Miss is upstairs, playing with that box of shells.

00:02:33I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:02:38The hallway was very quiet.

00:02:39Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:02:43I pushed the door open, and went in.

00:02:46She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:02:52My footsteps were light.

00:02:54Adi...

00:02:54She looked up, her eyes lighting.

00:02:56Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:03:00I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.

00:03:05Mom, don't bother me, I'm busy.

00:03:07I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:03:09No number of kisses would have been enough.

00:03:10But she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:03:13Is Adi making a shell necklace?

00:03:15Mmm.

00:03:16In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:03:18This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:03:22Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:03:24Aren't they pretty?

00:03:29She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:03:31That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.

00:03:35My throat tightened sharply.

00:03:37Before I could speak, she added happily.

00:03:39Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:03:41Tomorrow.

00:03:42She didn't finish.

00:03:43I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:03:45This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

00:03:47The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:03:50Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:03:57One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:04:01The hammer price was $420,000.

00:04:04Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:04:06Cassidy had left from cold.

00:04:07I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.

00:04:12I thought I could endure one more year.

00:04:15Amy, Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:04:17She looked up.

00:04:21Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:04:23She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:04:26For five seconds.

00:04:28Mommy's birthday?

00:04:29She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:04:34Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:04:39She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:04:42Mom, don't talk to me.

00:04:43You're messing up the order.

00:04:45I didn't speak again.

00:04:47I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:04:53When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:04:57Mrs. Hale, I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:05:00He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

00:05:03I see.

00:05:04I answered softly.

00:05:06After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

00:05:08The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:05:11His voice was faint.

00:05:12I'm busy tomorrow.

00:05:15From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:05:18Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.

00:05:21Who is it this late?

00:05:22It was Cassidy.

00:05:23I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:05:25Trevor paused, then said to me,

00:05:27Nothing.

00:05:28Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:05:30I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:05:32The two children in my belly moved.

00:05:35I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:05:37I said to them,

00:05:39Mommy understands now.

00:05:41Mommy thought seven years was long enough that one year he would remember to come home.

00:05:48Tonight was the last time.

00:05:49Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:05:55At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

00:05:58Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:06:01I didn't go in.

00:06:02Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.

00:06:06She was talking to Henry.

00:06:08Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

00:06:10She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:06:12Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

00:06:14Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:06:16Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:06:20If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:06:25Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:06:26You can't say things like that.

00:06:28It will hurt her heart, understand?

00:06:30I know.

00:06:31But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:06:33But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:06:36Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:06:37I stood at the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:06:40My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:06:42I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:06:45Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:06:49Cole is gone.

00:06:50I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:06:52Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:06:55Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:06:57After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:07:01Henry said nothing more.

00:07:02I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:07:04I sat down by the bed.

00:07:06I didn't cry.

00:07:07I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:07:09I opened my phone.

00:07:10I sent Trevor a text.

00:07:12Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:07:14Just the three of us.

00:07:1580 wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:07:17I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:07:19He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:07:22Got it.

00:07:22You set the time.

00:07:23Looking at that, got it.

00:07:24I nearly laughed out loud.

00:07:27Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:07:31Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:07:34Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:07:37I wrote back.

00:07:4012.30 Mistral.

00:07:41Got it.

00:07:42I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:07:45I had picked it out myself last year.

00:07:47Trevor had never seen it once.

00:07:48At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.

00:07:50Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

00:07:51It was Trevor.

00:07:52Something urgent came up at noon.

00:07:54Lunch is canceled.

00:07:55Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for a long

00:07:59time.

00:08:03If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?

00:08:06Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

00:08:08I would have waited.

00:08:10I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon water, then drive

00:08:14home.

00:08:15Dad is busy today.

00:08:16It isn't easy for him.

00:08:17But today, I didn't reply.

00:08:19I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.

00:08:22I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:08:24I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:08:26I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

00:08:29I parked across the street from Mistral.

00:08:31I didn't go in right away.

00:08:33I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

00:08:36Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.

00:08:39Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

00:08:42Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:08:45Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

00:08:49Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

00:08:50Trevor sat across from them.

00:08:52He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:08:56He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:08:59He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.

00:09:03His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was the only person

00:09:08left.

00:09:08I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

00:09:12His wife, his childhood friend's widow, his daughter.

00:09:16Three people at one table.

00:09:17The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

00:09:19I didn't go in.

00:09:20I turned around and walked back to the car.

00:09:23I started the engine.

00:09:25The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

00:09:28It wasn't rain.

00:09:30Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

00:09:32I smiled a little.

00:09:33I said to myself,

00:09:34Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

00:09:36I see it clearly.

00:09:37I drove away.

00:09:38I didn't look back at Mistral once.

00:09:40When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:09:43Only Henry was in the old house.

00:09:44When he saw me, he froze.

00:09:46Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

00:09:47Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:09:48Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

00:09:51I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:09:53I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

00:09:55On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.

00:09:59Folder?

00:10:00AMV only.

00:10:01I opened it.

00:10:02There were four things inside.

00:10:03A PDF of the post-nup from seven years ago, the version I had personally scanned and archived.

00:10:12A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

00:10:17I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

00:10:21A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

00:10:26A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

00:10:34Cole's widow.

00:10:39From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:10:43It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

00:10:47Sis, here.

00:10:48In case you need it someday.

00:10:50I won't need it.

00:10:51She wrote back,

00:10:52Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:11:012 o'clock this afternoon.

00:11:03I needed it.

00:11:04I copied Article 8 of the post-nip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

00:11:08I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

00:11:15I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:11:20I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

00:11:24I looked at it for a long time.

00:11:26I wasn't reluctant to let go.

00:11:28I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

00:11:32Exhibit C.

00:11:34Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral, 47 minute, during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:11:41This date was Plantis' birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.

00:11:45Print.

00:11:46Sign.

00:11:47Amelia M. Voss.

00:11:49Not Hale.

00:11:50Voss.

00:11:51I hadn't used that surname in 7 years.

00:11:54After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:11:59On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words to Trevor Hale.

00:12:04I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:12:07That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

00:12:10I went downstairs.

00:12:13Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

00:12:16When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

00:12:21Mrs. Hale.

00:12:22Henry.

00:12:23I pointed to the envelope for him.

00:12:25When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

00:12:28I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:12:30Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

00:12:32He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:12:35He had seen everything.

00:12:38Seven years.

00:12:39Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who

00:12:44brought me soup.

00:12:46Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.

00:12:51At last, he spoke in a low voice.

00:12:53You won't be coming back this time.

00:12:55I didn't answer.

00:12:57I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.

00:13:05Henry.

00:13:05At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together

00:13:11at Mistral.

00:13:12I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:13:18Plaintiff was not present.

00:13:20Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:13:22Amelia M. Vosseth after Henry finished reading it.

00:13:24His hand trembled.

00:13:25He looked up at me.

00:13:26Just sign your name.

00:13:27If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:13:31If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.

00:13:33I won't force you.

00:13:35Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

00:13:38He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.

00:13:40Henry Coleman, the 14th of March.

00:13:42I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.

00:13:45Mrs. Dr. Voss.

00:13:47It was the first time he called me that.

00:13:48Thank you for these seven years.

00:13:50He lowered his head.

00:13:51I failed you.

00:13:52By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.

00:13:55I didn't look back at that house again.

00:13:57In the car, I sent Zara three messages.

00:13:59That post-nup can be used now.

00:14:01I am on my way to the airport, five o'clock flight to SFO.

00:14:04Charles will pick me up.

00:14:05I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

00:14:07She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.

00:14:10The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

00:14:12I rested my hand on my belly.

00:14:13The two children moved.

00:14:15I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.

00:14:17Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:14:21Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.

00:14:24There were 17 alarms in total.

00:14:25The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:14:28The alarm title read, call Adi, Boston time, seven years, no, six years, since Adi turned

00:14:33one, every morning at six.

00:14:35Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup, in a

00:14:40meeting, or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:14:43When the alarm rang, I called her.

00:14:45Mommy.

00:14:46She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

00:14:48She answered the phone less and less.

00:14:50Finish breakfast?

00:14:51Go to school?

00:14:52Bye, mommy loves you.

00:14:53Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:14:56She simply stopped answering.

00:14:57I had never deleted that alarm.

00:14:59I told myself, what if one day she remembered mommy?

00:15:01What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:15:03I had to be online at that moment.

00:15:05At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:15:09That alarm rang too.

00:15:13At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.

00:15:18I stared at the phone screen.

00:15:20She was upstairs.

00:15:22She didn't hear it.

00:15:24Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

00:15:26I stared at that alarm for a long time.

00:15:28I deleted it.

00:15:29The plane taxied down the runway.

00:15:31The engine noise grew louder and louder.

00:15:33I closed my eyes.

00:15:35I said one thing to myself.

00:15:37You've done everything you needed to do.

00:15:40I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

00:15:43The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

00:15:46If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,

00:15:51the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.

00:15:59Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:16:02Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:16:05See how much Trevor protects you?

00:16:08I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:16:11It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.

00:16:15And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.

00:16:19I signed.

00:16:20Trevor signed too.

00:16:22He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

00:16:24To keep my wife safe from my own family.

00:16:26To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

00:16:29Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.

00:16:32He had hardly protected me at all.

00:16:35But he had indeed left me a gun.

00:16:37Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:16:41Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:16:45Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:16:49The Hales the Cavan announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:16:52Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:16:54Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.

00:16:56I closed the forder.

00:16:58I told myself,

00:16:59Amelia, you don't love him anymore.

00:17:03It wasn't something that happened overnight.

00:17:05I'm in a meeting.

00:17:07Again and again, he said,

00:17:08She needs me.

00:17:09Again and again, he said,

00:17:10Your hormones are unstable.

00:17:12Again and again, he said,

00:17:14Cassidy has it hard.

00:17:15He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit,

00:17:17until it turned to ash.

00:17:19When the wind blew, nothing was left.

00:17:21I closed my eyes.

00:17:22One of the two children in my belly moved,

00:17:23and the other moved with them.

00:17:25I smiled.

00:17:26I said to them,

00:17:28Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

00:17:30Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

00:17:32Starting today.

00:17:43Henry, I'm not happy that mom came.

00:17:45Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:17:47Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:17:51If mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,

00:17:54Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:17:56Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:17:57You can't say things like that.

00:17:59It will hurt her heart.

00:18:00Understand?

00:18:01I know.

00:18:02But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:18:05But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:18:07Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:18:09I skipped afoot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:18:12My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:18:13I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:18:16Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:18:20Cole is gone.

00:18:21I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:18:23Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:18:26Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:18:28After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:18:32Henry said nothing more.

00:18:33I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:18:35I sat down by the bed.

00:18:37I didn't cry.

00:18:38I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:18:40I opened my phone.

00:18:42I sent Trevor a text.

00:18:43Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:18:45Just the three of us.

00:18:46A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:18:48I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:18:50He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:18:53Got it.

00:18:53You set the time.

00:18:54Looking at that, got it.

00:18:55I nearly laughed out loud.

00:18:58Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:19:02Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:19:05Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:19:08I wrote back.

00:19:09I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins.

00:19:12Just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:19:14Today was my 31st birthday.

00:19:15It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.

00:19:17The doctor told me not to fly.

00:19:19I flew anyway.

00:19:20Not because of love.

00:19:21Because, after 7 years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:19:26I told the baby's in my belly, this is the last time.

00:19:29After this, we stopped waiting for him.

00:19:30He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:19:33Tomorrow morning at 9, he would find out what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:19:38By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past 9 at night.

00:19:41I thought that, if only for the sake of these 7 years, he should come home tonight.

00:19:46When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:19:51There was nothing from Trevor.

00:19:55By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.

00:19:59Henry opened the door for me.

00:20:00Mrs. Hale, you...

00:20:02What brings you here?

00:20:04Where's Trevor?

00:20:04And Oddie?

00:20:05Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:20:07This is upstairs, playing with that box of shells.

00:20:12I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:20:16The hallway was very quiet.

00:20:18Oddie's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:20:22I pushed the door open and went in.

00:20:24She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:20:30My footsteps were light.

00:20:32She looked up, her eyes lighting up.

00:20:35Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:20:38I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.

00:20:43Mom, don't bother me. I'm busy.

00:20:45I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:20:47No number of kisses would have been enough, but she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:20:51Is Oddie making a shell necklace?

00:20:53Mmm.

00:20:54In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy's birthday.

00:20:57This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:21:00Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:21:02Aren't they pretty?

00:21:07She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:21:09That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on the beach at Big Sum last

00:21:13year.

00:21:13My throat tightened sharply.

00:21:15Before I could speak, she added happily.

00:21:17Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:21:19Tomorrow, she didn't finish.

00:21:21I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:21:23This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

00:21:26The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:21:28Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:21:35One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:21:39The hammer price was $420,000.

00:21:42Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:21:44Cassidy had left from cold.

00:21:46I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.

00:21:51I thought I could endure one more year.

00:21:53Amy, Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:21:55She looked up.

00:21:59Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:22:01She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:22:04For five seconds...

00:22:06Mommy's birthday?

00:22:07She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:22:12Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:22:17She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:22:20Mom, don't talk to me. You're messing up the order.

00:22:23I didn't speak again.

00:22:25Mom, I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:22:31When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:22:35Mrs. Hale.

00:22:36I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:22:38He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

00:22:42I see.

00:22:42I answered softly.

00:22:44After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

00:22:46Trevor, the phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:22:49His voice was faint.

00:22:51I'm busy.

00:22:51Tomorrow.

00:22:54From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:22:56Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.

00:22:59Who is it this late?

00:23:00It was Cassidy.

00:23:01I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:23:03Trevor paused, then said to me,

00:23:05Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:23:09I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:23:11The two children in my belly moved.

00:23:13I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:23:16I said to them,

00:23:17Mommy understands now.

00:23:19Mommy thought seven years was long enough that

00:23:22one year he would remember to come home.

00:23:26Tonight was the last time.

00:23:27Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:23:33At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

00:23:37Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:23:39I didn't go in.

00:23:40Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over

00:23:43from the other side of the kitchen.

00:23:44She was talking to Henry.

00:23:46Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

00:23:48She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:23:50Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

00:23:52Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:23:54Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy

00:23:57to kick hot tomorrow.

00:23:58If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,

00:24:01Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:24:03Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:24:04You can't say things like that.

00:24:06It will hurt her heart, understand?

00:24:08I know.

00:24:09But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:24:11But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:24:14Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:24:16I slipped the foot of the stairs,

00:24:17unable to move even half a step.

00:24:19My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:24:20I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:24:23Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:24:27Cole is gone.

00:24:28I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:24:30Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:24:33Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:24:35After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:24:39Henry said nothing more.

00:24:40I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:24:42I sat down by the bed.

00:24:44I didn't cry.

00:24:45I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:24:47I opened my phone.

00:24:49I sent Trevor a text.

00:24:50Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:24:52Just the three of us.

00:24:53A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:24:55I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:24:57He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:25:00Got it.

00:25:00You set the time.

00:25:01Looking at that, got it.

00:25:02I nearly laughed out loud.

00:25:05Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:25:09Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:25:12Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:25:15I wrote back.

00:25:1812.30 Mistral.

00:25:19Got it.

00:25:20I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:25:23I had picked it out myself last year.

00:25:25Trevor had never seen it once.

00:25:26At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.

00:25:28Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

00:25:29It was Trevor.

00:25:30Something urgent came up at noon.

00:25:32Lunch is canceled.

00:25:33Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for a long

00:25:37time.

00:25:41If it had been before, I would have immediately replied,

00:25:44Okay?

00:25:44Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

00:25:46I would have waited.

00:25:48I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon,

00:25:51drink two glasses of lemon water, then drive home.

00:25:53Dad is busy today.

00:25:54It isn't easy for him.

00:25:55But today, I didn't reply.

00:25:57I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.

00:26:00I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:26:02I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:26:04I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

00:26:07I parked across the street from Mistral.

00:26:09I didn't go in right away.

00:26:11I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

00:26:14Inside, at the old table by the window,

00:26:16the three of them were sitting there.

00:26:18Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

00:26:20Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes,

00:26:22her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:26:23Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,

00:26:25taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

00:26:27Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

00:26:29Trevor sat across from them.

00:26:31He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:26:34He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:26:37He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.

00:26:41His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was

00:26:45the only person left.

00:26:46I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

00:26:50His wife.

00:26:51His childhood friend's widow.

00:26:53His daughter.

00:26:53Three people at one table.

00:26:55The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

00:26:57I didn't go in.

00:26:58I turned around and walked back to the car.

00:27:01I started the engine.

00:27:03The windshield wipers swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

00:27:07It wasn't rain.

00:27:08Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

00:27:10I smiled a little.

00:27:11I said to myself,

00:27:12Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

00:27:14I see it clearly.

00:27:15I drove away.

00:27:16I didn't look back at Mistral once.

00:27:18When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:27:21Only Henry was in the old house.

00:27:22When he saw me, he froze.

00:27:24Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

00:27:25Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:27:26Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

00:27:29I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:27:31I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

00:27:33On the desktop was a folder.

00:27:35Password locked and hidden for seven years.

00:27:38Folder.

00:27:38AMV only.

00:27:39I opened it.

00:27:40There were four things inside.

00:27:42A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.

00:27:44The version I had personally scanned and archived.

00:27:51A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

00:27:55I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

00:27:59A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

00:28:04A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

00:28:12Cole's widow.

00:28:18From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:28:21It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

00:28:25Sis, here.

00:28:26In case you need it someday.

00:28:28I won't need it.

00:28:29She wrote back,

00:28:31Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:28:39Two o'clock this afternoon.

00:28:41I needed it.

00:28:42I copied Article 8 of the postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

00:28:46I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

00:28:53I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:28:58I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

00:29:02I looked at it for a long time.

00:29:04I wasn't reluctant to let go.

00:29:07I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

00:29:10Exhibit C.

00:29:12Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which Defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:29:18This date was Planta's birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.

00:29:23Print.

00:29:25Sign.

00:29:25Amelia M. Voss.

00:29:27Not Hale.

00:29:28Voss.

00:29:29I hadn't used that surname in 7 years.

00:29:32After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:29:37On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.

00:29:40To Trevor Hale.

00:29:42I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:29:45That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

00:29:48I went downstairs.

00:29:51Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

00:29:54When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

00:29:59Mrs. Hale.

00:30:01Henry.

00:30:01I pointed to the envelope for him.

00:30:03When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

00:30:06I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:30:08Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

00:30:10He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:30:13He had seen everything.

00:30:16Seven years.

00:30:17Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who

00:30:22brought me soup.

00:30:24Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.

00:30:29At last, he spoke in a low voice.

00:30:32You won't be coming back this time.

00:30:34I didn't answer.

00:30:35I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.

00:30:43Henry.

00:30:43At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together

00:30:49at Mistral.

00:30:50I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:30:57Plaintiff was not present.

00:30:58Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:31:00Amelia M. Vosth after Henry finished reading it.

00:31:02His hand trembled.

00:31:03He looked up at me.

00:31:04Just sign your name.

00:31:05If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:31:09If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.

00:31:11I won't force you.

00:31:12Henry was silent for five seconds.

00:31:13Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

00:31:16He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.

00:31:18Henry Coleman the 14th of March.

00:31:20I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.

00:31:23Mrs. Dr. Vos.

00:31:25It was the first time he called me that.

00:31:27Thank you for these seven years.

00:31:28He lowered his head.

00:31:29I failed you, Henry.

00:31:30By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.

00:31:34I didn't look back at that house again.

00:31:35In the car, I sent Zara three messages.

00:31:38That post-nup can be used now.

00:31:39I am on my way to the airport.

00:31:41Five o'clock flight to SFO.

00:31:42Charles will pick me up.

00:31:43I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

00:31:45She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.

00:31:48The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

00:31:50I rested my hand on my belly.

00:31:52The two children moved.

00:31:53I said to them, Mommy is taking you home.

00:31:55To our real home.

00:31:55Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:31:59Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.

00:32:02There were 17 alarms in total.

00:32:04The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:32:06The alarm title read, call Addy.

00:32:08Boston time.

00:32:09Seven years.

00:32:09No.

00:32:10Six years.

00:32:10Since Addy turned one.

00:32:12Every morning at six.

00:32:13Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup, in a meeting.

00:32:18Or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:32:21When the alarm rang, I called her.

00:32:23Mommy.

00:32:24She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

00:32:26She answered the phone less and less.

00:32:28Finish breakfast?

00:32:29Go to school?

00:32:30Bye, Mommy loves you.

00:32:31Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:32:34She simply stopped answering.

00:32:36I had never deleted that alarm.

00:32:37I told myself, what if one day she remembered Mommy?

00:32:39What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:32:42I had to be online at that moment.

00:32:43At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:32:47That alarm rang too.

00:32:51At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.

00:32:56I stared at the phone screen.

00:32:58She was upstairs.

00:33:00She didn't hear it.

00:33:02Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

00:33:05I stared at that alarm for a long time.

00:33:07I deleted it.

00:33:08The plane taxied down the runway.

00:33:09The engine noise grew louder and louder.

00:33:11I closed my eyes.

00:33:13I said one thing to myself.

00:33:15You've done everything you needed to do.

00:33:18I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

00:33:22The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

00:33:24If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,

00:33:30the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.

00:33:37Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:33:40Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:33:44See how much Trevor protects you?

00:33:46I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:33:50It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.

00:33:54And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.

00:33:57I signed.

00:33:59Trevor signed too.

00:34:00He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

00:34:02To keep my wife safe from my own family.

00:34:04To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

00:34:08Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.

00:34:11He had hardly protected me at all.

00:34:13But he had indeed left me a gun.

00:34:15Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:34:19Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:34:23Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:34:27The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:34:30Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:34:32Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.

00:34:35I closed the forder.

00:34:36I told myself,

00:34:38Amelia, you don't love him anymore.

00:34:41It wasn't something that happened overnight.

00:34:43I'm in a meeting.

00:34:45Again and again, he said,

00:34:46She needs me.

00:34:47Again and again, he said,

00:34:49Your hormones are unstable.

00:34:51Again and again, he said,

00:34:52Cassidy has it hard.

00:34:53He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit,

00:34:55until it turned to ash.

00:34:57When the wind blew, nothing was left.

00:34:59I closed my eyes.

00:35:00One of the two children in my belly moved,

00:35:02and the other moved with them.

00:35:03I smiled.

00:35:05I said to them,

00:35:06Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

00:35:08Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

00:35:10Starting today.

00:35:21Henry, I'm not happy that mom came.

00:35:23Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:35:25Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:35:29If mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,

00:35:32Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:35:34Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:35:36You can't say things like that.

00:35:37It will hurt her heart.

00:35:38Understand?

00:35:39I know.

00:35:40But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:35:42But dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:35:45Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:35:46I stood at the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:35:50My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:35:51I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:35:54Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:35:58Cole is gone.

00:35:59I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:36:01Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:36:04Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:36:07After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:36:10Henry said nothing more.

00:36:11I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:36:13I sat down by the bed.

00:36:15I didn't cry.

00:36:16I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:36:18I opened my phone.

00:36:20I sent Trevor a text.

00:36:21Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:36:23Just the three of us.

00:36:24Aidy wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:36:26I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:36:28He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:36:31Got it.

00:36:31You set the time.

00:36:32Looking at that, got it.

00:36:34I nearly laughed out loud.

00:36:36Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:36:40Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:36:43Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:36:46I wrote back.

00:36:47I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins, just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:36:52Today was my 31st birthday.

00:36:53It was also our seventh wedding anniversary.

00:36:56The doctor told me not to fly.

00:36:57I flew anyway.

00:36:58Not because of love.

00:36:59Because, after seven years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:37:04I told the babies in my belly, this is the last time.

00:37:07After this, we stopped waiting for him.

00:37:08He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:37:11Tomorrow morning at nine, he would find out, what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:37:16By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past nine at night.

00:37:20I thought that, if only for the sake of these seven years, he should come home tonight.

00:37:24When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:37:29There was nothing from Trevor.

00:37:33By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.

00:37:37Henry opened the door for me.

00:37:39Mrs. Hale, you...

00:37:40What brings you here?

00:37:42Where's Trevor?

00:37:43And Adi?

00:37:43Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:37:45Miss is upstairs, playing with that box of shells.

00:37:50I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:37:54The hallway was very quiet.

00:37:56Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:38:00I pushed the door open, and went in.

00:38:02She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:38:08My footsteps were light.

00:38:10Adi...

00:38:11She looked up, her eyes lighting.

00:38:13Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:38:16I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.

00:38:21Mom, don't bother me, I'm busy.

00:38:23I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:38:25No number of kisses would have been enough, but she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:38:29Is Adi making a shell necklace?

00:38:31Mmm.

00:38:32In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:38:35This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:38:38Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:38:41Aren't they pretty?

00:38:45She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:38:47That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.

00:38:51My throat tightened sharply.

00:38:53Before I could speak, she added happily.

00:38:55Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:38:58Tomorrow, she didn't finish.

00:38:59I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:39:01This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

00:39:04The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:39:06Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given

00:39:11him for our sixth anniversary.

00:39:13One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:39:17The hammer price was $420,000.

00:39:20Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:39:22Cassidy had left from cold.

00:39:24I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.

00:39:29I thought I could endure one more year.

00:39:31Lady, Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:39:34She looked up.

00:39:37Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:39:39She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:39:42For five seconds.

00:39:44Mommy's birthday?

00:39:46She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:39:50Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:39:55She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:39:58Mom, don't talk to me.

00:40:00You're messing up the order.

00:40:01I didn't speak again.

00:40:03I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:40:09When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:40:13Mrs. Hale, I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:40:16He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

00:40:20I see.

00:40:20I answered softly.

00:40:22After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

00:40:25The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:40:27His voice was faint.

00:40:29I'm busy tomorrow.

00:40:32From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:40:34Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.

00:40:37Who is it this late?

00:40:38It was Cassidy.

00:40:39I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:40:41Trevor paused, then said to me,

00:40:43Nothing.

00:40:44Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:40:47I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:40:49The two children in my belly moved.

00:40:51I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:40:54I said to them,

00:40:55Mommy understands now.

00:40:57Mommy thought seven years was long enough that one year he would remember to come home.

00:41:04Tonight was the last time.

00:41:06Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:41:11At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

00:41:15Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:41:17I didn't go in.

00:41:19Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.

00:41:22She was talking to Henry.

00:41:24Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

00:41:26She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:41:28Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

00:41:30Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:41:32Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:41:36If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:41:41Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:41:43You can't say things like that.

00:41:44It will hurt her heart, understand?

00:41:46I know.

00:41:47But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:41:49But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:41:52Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:41:53I stood at the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:41:57My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:41:58I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:42:01Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:42:05Cole is gone.

00:42:06I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:42:08Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:42:11Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:42:14After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:42:17Henry said nothing more.

00:42:18I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:42:20I sat down by the bed.

00:42:22I didn't cry.

00:42:23I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:42:26I opened my phone.

00:42:27I sent Trevor a text.

00:42:28Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:42:30Just the three of us.

00:42:31A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:42:33I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:42:35He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:42:38Got it.

00:42:38You set the time.

00:42:39Looking at that, got it.

00:42:41I nearly laughed out loud.

00:42:43Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:42:47Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:42:50Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours.

00:42:53Plus Trevor.

00:42:53I wrote back.

00:42:561230 Mistral.

00:42:57Got it.

00:42:58I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:43:01I had picked it out myself last year.

00:43:03Trevor had never seen it once.

00:43:04At 1140, I drove to Back Bay.

00:43:06Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

00:43:08It was Trevor.

00:43:09Something urgent came up at noon.

00:43:10Lunch is canceled.

00:43:11Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for a long

00:43:15time.

00:43:20If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?

00:43:22Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

00:43:24I would have waited.

00:43:26I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon water, then drive

00:43:30home.

00:43:31Dad is busy today.

00:43:32It isn't easy for him.

00:43:33But today, I didn't reply.

00:43:36I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.

00:43:38I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:43:40I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:43:42I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

00:43:45I parked across the street from Mistral.

00:43:47I didn't go in right away.

00:43:49I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

00:43:52Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.

00:43:56Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

00:43:58Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:44:01Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

00:44:05Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

00:44:07Trevor sat across from them.

00:44:09He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:44:12He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:44:15He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.

00:44:19His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was the only person

00:44:24left.

00:44:24I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

00:44:28His wife, his childhood friend's widow, his daughter.

00:44:32Three people at one table.

00:44:33The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

00:44:35I didn't go in.

00:44:37I turned around and walked back to the car.

00:44:39I started the engine.

00:44:41The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

00:44:45It wasn't rain.

00:44:46Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

00:44:48I smiled a little.

00:44:49I said to myself,

00:44:50Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

00:44:52I see it clearly.

00:44:54I drove away.

00:44:54I didn't look back at Mistral once.

00:44:56When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:44:59Only Henry was in the old house.

00:45:00When he saw me, he froze.

00:45:02Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

00:45:03Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:45:05Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

00:45:07I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:45:09I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

00:45:12On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.

00:45:16Folder, AMV only.

00:45:17I opened it.

00:45:18There were four things inside.

00:45:20A PDF of the post-nup from seven years ago, the version I had personally scanned and archived.

00:45:29A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

00:45:33I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

00:45:37A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

00:45:42A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

00:45:50Cole's widow.

00:45:56From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:45:59It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

00:46:03Sis, here.

00:46:05In case you need it someday.

00:46:06I won't need it.

00:46:07She wrote back,

00:46:09Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:46:17Two o'clock this afternoon.

00:46:19I needed it.

00:46:20I copied Article 8 of the post-nip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

00:46:25I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

00:46:31I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:46:36I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

00:46:41I looked at it for a long time.

00:46:43I wasn't reluctant to let go.

00:46:45I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

00:46:48Exhibit C.

00:46:50Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which Defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:46:57This date was Plantis' birthday and seventh wedding anniversary.

00:47:01Print.

00:47:03Sign.

00:47:04Amelia M. Voss.

00:47:05Not Hale.

00:47:06Voss.

00:47:07I hadn't used that surname in seven years.

00:47:10After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:47:15On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.

00:47:18To Trevor Hale.

00:47:20I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:47:23That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

00:47:26I went downstairs.

00:47:29Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

00:47:32When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

00:47:37Mrs. Hale.

00:47:39Henry, I pointed to the envelope for him.

00:47:42When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

00:47:44I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:47:46Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

00:47:48He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:47:50He had seen everything.

00:47:54Seven years.

00:47:55Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who

00:48:00brought me soup.

00:48:02Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.

00:48:07At last, he spoke in a low voice.

00:48:10You won't be coming back this time.

00:48:12I didn't answer.

00:48:14I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.

00:48:21Henry, at 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch

00:48:27together at Mistral.

00:48:28I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:48:35Plaintiff was not present.

00:48:36Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:48:38Amelia M. Voss, after Henry finished reading it, his hand trembled.

00:48:42He looked up at me.

00:48:43Just sign your name.

00:48:44If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:48:47If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.

00:48:49I won't force you.

00:48:50Henry was silent for five seconds.

00:48:52Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

00:48:54He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.

00:48:56Henry Coleman, the 14th of March.

00:48:58I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.

00:49:01This is Dr. Voss.

00:49:03It was the first time he called me that.

00:49:04Thank you for these seven years.

00:49:06He lowered his head.

00:49:07I failed you.

00:49:08By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.

00:49:12I didn't look back at that house again.

00:49:14In the car, I sent Zara three messages.

00:49:16That post-nup can be used now.

00:49:17I am on my way to the airport.

00:49:19Five o'clock flight to SFO.

00:49:20Charles will pick me up.

00:49:22I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

00:49:24She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.

00:49:26The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

00:49:28I rested my hand on my belly.

00:49:30The two children moved.

00:49:31I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.

00:49:34Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:49:37Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.

00:49:40There were 17 alarms in total.

00:49:42The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:49:44The alarm title read, call Adi, Boston time.

00:49:47Seven years.

00:49:47No, six years.

00:49:48Since Adi turned one, every morning at six.

00:49:51Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup, in a meeting.

00:49:56Or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:49:59When the alarm rang, I called her.

00:50:02Mommy.

00:50:02She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

00:50:04She answered the phone less and less.

00:50:06Finish breakfast?

00:50:07Go to school?

00:50:08Bye, mommy loves you.

00:50:10Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:50:12She simply stopped answering.

00:50:14I had never deleted that alarm.

00:50:15I told myself, what if one day she remembered mommy?

00:50:18What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:50:19I had to be online at that moment.

00:50:21At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:50:25That alarm rang too.

00:50:29At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.

00:50:34I stared at the phone screen.

00:50:36She was upstairs.

00:50:39She didn't hear it.

00:50:40Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

00:50:43I stared at that alarm for a long time.

00:50:45I deleted it.

00:50:46The plane taxied down the runway.

00:50:47The engine noise grew louder and louder.

00:50:50I closed my eyes.

00:50:51I said one thing to myself.

00:50:53You've done everything you needed to do.

00:50:56I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

00:51:00The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

00:51:02If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,

00:51:08the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.

00:51:15Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:51:18Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:51:22See how much Trevor protects you?

00:51:24I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:51:28It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.

00:51:32And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.

00:51:35I signed.

00:51:37Trevor signed too.

00:51:38He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

00:51:40To keep my wife safe from my own family.

00:51:42To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

00:51:46Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.

00:51:48He had hardly protected me at all.

00:51:51But he had indeed left me a gun.

00:51:54Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:51:57Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:52:01Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:52:05The Hales, the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:52:08Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:52:10Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.

00:52:13I closed the forder.

00:52:14I told myself,

00:52:16Amelia, you don't love him anymore.

00:52:20It wasn't something that happened overnight.

00:52:22I'm in a meeting.

00:52:23Again and again, he said,

00:52:24She needs me.

00:52:25Again and again, he said,

00:52:27Your hormones are unstable.

00:52:29Again and again, he said,

00:52:30Cassidy has it hard.

00:52:31I wore away what little love I had, bit by bit.

00:52:33Until it turned to ash.

00:52:35When the wind blew, nothing was left.

00:52:37I closed my eyes.

00:52:38One of the two children in my belly moved.

00:52:40And the other moved with them.

00:52:41I smiled.

00:52:43I said to them,

00:52:44Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

00:52:46Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

00:52:48Starting today.

00:52:59Henry, I'm not happy that mom came.

00:53:01Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:53:03Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:53:07If mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,

00:53:10Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:53:12Miss, madam is your mother.

00:53:14You can't say things like that.

00:53:15It will hurt her heart.

00:53:16Understand?

00:53:17I know.

00:53:18But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:53:21But dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:53:23Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:53:25I skipped the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:53:28My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:53:30I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:53:32Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:53:36Cole is gone.

00:53:37I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:53:39Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:53:42Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:53:45After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:53:48Henry said nothing more.

00:53:50I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:53:52I sat down by the bed.

00:53:53I didn't cry.

00:53:54I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:53:57I opened my phone.

00:53:58I sent Trevor a text.

00:53:59Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:54:01Just the three of us.

00:54:02A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:54:04I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:54:06He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:54:09Trevor, got it, you set the time.

00:54:11Looking at that, got it.

00:54:12I nearly laughed out loud.

00:54:14Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:54:18Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:54:21Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:54:24I wrote back.

00:54:26I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins.

00:54:28Just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:54:30Today was my 31st birthday.

00:54:32It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.

00:54:34The doctor told me not to fly.

00:54:35I flew anyway.

00:54:36Not because of love.

00:54:38Because, after 7 years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:54:42I told the baby's in my belly, this is the last time.

00:54:45After this, we stopped waiting for him.

00:54:47He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:54:49Tomorrow morning at 9, he would find out, what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:54:54By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past 9 at night.

00:54:58I thought that, if only for the sake of these 7 years, he should come home tonight.

00:55:02When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:55:07There was nothing from Trevor.

00:55:11By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.

00:55:15Henry opened the door for me.

00:55:17Mrs. Hale, you...

00:55:18What brings you here?

00:55:20Where's Trevor?

00:55:21And Oddie?

00:55:21Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:55:23This is upstairs, playing with that box of shells.

00:55:28I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:55:32The hallway was very quiet.

00:55:34Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:55:38I pushed the door open and went in.

00:55:40She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:55:46My footsteps were light.

00:55:48She looked up, her eyes lighting.

00:55:51Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:55:54I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.

00:55:59Mom, don't bother me. I'm busy.

00:56:01I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:56:03No number of kisses would have been enough, but she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:56:07Is Oddie making a shell necklace?

00:56:09Mmm.

00:56:10In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:56:13This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:56:16Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:56:19Aren't they pretty?

00:56:24She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:56:26That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sun last year.

00:56:30My throat tightened sharply.

00:56:31Before I could speak, she added happily.

00:56:33Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:56:36Tomorrow, she didn't finish.

00:56:37I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:56:40This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

00:56:42The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:56:44Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given

00:56:49him for our sixth anniversary.

00:56:51One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:56:55The hammer price was $420,000.

00:56:58Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:57:00Cassidy had left from cold.

00:57:02I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.

00:57:07I thought I could endure one more year.

00:57:09Lady, Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:57:12She looked up.

00:57:15Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:57:17She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:57:20For five seconds...

00:57:22Mommy's birthday?

00:57:24She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:57:28Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:57:33She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:57:36Mom, don't talk to me.

00:57:38You're messing up the order.

00:57:39I didn't speak again.

00:57:41I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:57:47When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:57:51Mrs. Hale.

00:57:52I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:57:54He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

00:57:58I see.

00:57:59I answered softly.

00:58:00After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

00:58:02Trevor, the phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:58:05His voice was faint.

00:58:07I'm busy tomorrow.

00:58:10From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:58:12Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.

00:58:15Who is it this late?

00:58:16It was Cassidy.

00:58:17I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:58:19Trevor paused, then said to me,

00:58:21Nothing.

00:58:22Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:58:25I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:58:27The two children in my belly moved.

00:58:29I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:58:32I said to them,

00:58:33Mommy understands now.

00:58:35Mommy thought seven years was long enough that...

00:58:39One year, he would remember to come home.

00:58:42Tonight was the last time.

00:58:44Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:58:50At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

00:58:53Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:58:55I didn't go in.

00:58:57Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.

00:59:00She was talking to Henry.

00:59:02Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

00:59:04She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:59:06Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

00:59:08Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:59:11Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:59:14If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:59:19Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:59:21You can't say things like that.

00:59:22It will hurt her heart, understand?

00:59:24I know.

00:59:25But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:59:27But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:59:30Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:59:32I skipped the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:59:35My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:59:36I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:59:39Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:59:43Cole is gone.

00:59:45I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:59:46Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:59:49Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:59:52After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:59:55Henry said nothing more.

00:59:57I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:59:59I sat down by the bed.

01:00:00I didn't cry.

01:00:01I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

01:00:04I opened my phone.

01:00:05I sent Trevor a text.

01:00:06Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

01:00:08Just the three of us.

01:00:09A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

01:00:11I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

01:00:13He replied about 20 minutes later.

01:00:16Got it.

01:00:17You set the time.

01:00:18Looking at that, got it.

01:00:19I nearly laughed out loud.

01:00:21Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

01:00:25Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

01:00:28Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

01:00:32I wrote back.

01:00:351230 Mistral.

01:00:36Got it.

01:00:36I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

01:00:40I had picked it out myself last year.

01:00:41Trevor had never seen it once.

01:00:43At 1140, I drove to Back Bay.

01:00:44Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

01:00:46It was Trevor.

01:00:47Something urgent came up at noon.

01:00:48Lunch is canceled.

01:00:49Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for

01:00:53a long time.

01:00:58If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?

01:01:01Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

01:01:02I would have waited.

01:01:04I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon

01:01:08water, then drive home.

01:01:09Dad is busy today.

01:01:10It isn't easy for him.

01:01:11But today, I didn't reply.

01:01:14I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.

01:01:16I wasn't acting out of spite.

01:01:18I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

01:01:20I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

01:01:23I parked across the street from Mistral.

01:01:25I didn't go in right away.

01:01:27I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

01:01:30Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.

01:01:34Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

01:01:36Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

01:01:40Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

01:01:43Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

01:01:45Trevor sat across from them.

01:01:47He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

01:01:50He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

01:01:54He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.

01:01:58His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was

01:02:02the only person left.

01:02:03I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

01:02:06His wife.

01:02:07His childhood friend's widow.

01:02:09His daughter.

01:02:10Three people at one table.

01:02:11The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

01:02:13I didn't go in.

01:02:15I turned around and walked back to the car.

01:02:17I started the engine.

01:02:19The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

01:02:23It wasn't rain.

01:02:24Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

01:02:26I smiled a little.

01:02:27I said to myself, Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

01:02:30I see it clearly.

01:02:32I drove away.

01:02:33I didn't look back at Mistral once.

01:02:34When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

01:02:37Only Henry was in the old house.

01:02:39When he saw me, he froze.

01:02:40Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

01:02:41Mr. Hale had something come up.

01:02:43Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

01:02:45I went upstairs and entered the study.

01:02:47I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

01:02:50On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.

01:02:54Folder, AMV only.

01:02:55I opened it.

01:02:56There were four things inside.

01:02:58A PDF of the post-nup from seven years ago.

01:03:01The version I had personally scanned and archived.

01:03:07A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

01:03:11I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

01:03:15A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

01:03:20A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

01:03:28Cole's widow.

01:03:34From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

01:03:37It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

01:03:42Sis, here.

01:03:43In case you need it someday.

01:03:45I won't beat him.

01:03:45She wrote back,

01:03:47Sis, stop lying to yourself.

01:03:55Two o'clock this afternoon.

01:03:57I needed it.

01:03:58I copied Article 8 of the post-nip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

01:04:03I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

01:04:09I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

01:04:14I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

01:04:18I looked at it for a long time.

01:04:21I wasn't reluctant to let go.

01:04:23I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

01:04:26Exhibit C.

01:04:28Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which Defendant did not contact Placeniff.

01:04:35This date was Plantis' birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.

01:04:39Print.

01:04:41Sign.

01:04:42Amelia M. Voss.

01:04:44Not Hale.

01:04:44Voss.

01:04:45I hadn't used that surname in 7 years.

01:04:48After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

01:04:53On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.

01:04:56To Trevor Hale.

01:04:58I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

01:05:01That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

01:05:05I went downstairs.

01:05:07Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

01:05:10When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

01:05:15Mrs. Hale.

01:05:17Henry.

01:05:17I pointed to the envelope for him.

01:05:20When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

01:05:22I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

01:05:24Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

01:05:26He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

01:05:29He had seen everything.

01:05:32Seven years.

01:05:34Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who

01:05:38brought me soup.

01:05:40Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.

01:05:46At last, he spoke in a low voice.

01:05:48You won't be coming back this time.

01:05:50I didn't answer.

01:05:52I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.

01:05:59Henry.

01:06:00At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together

01:06:06at Mistral.

01:06:06I was originally scheduled to attend.

01:06:13Plaintiff was not present.

01:06:14Please sign by hand later as a witness.

01:06:16Amelia M. Vosseth after Henry finished reading it.

01:06:19His hand trembled.

01:06:20He looked up at me.

01:06:21Just sign your name.

01:06:22If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.

01:06:25If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.

01:06:27I won't force you.

01:06:28Henry was silent for five seconds.

01:06:30Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

01:06:32He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.

01:06:34Henry Coleman the 14th of March.

01:06:36I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.

01:06:40Mrs. Dr. Voss.

01:06:41It was the first time he called me that.

01:06:43Thank you for these seven years.

01:06:44He lowered his head.

01:06:45I failed you.

01:06:46By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.

01:06:50I didn't look back at that house again.

01:06:52In the car, I sent Zara three messages.

01:06:54That post-nup can be used now.

01:06:55I am on my way to the airport.

01:06:57Five o'clock flight to SFO.

01:06:58Charles will pick me up.

01:07:00I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

01:07:02She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.

01:07:04The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

01:07:06I rested my hand on my belly.

01:07:08The two children moved.

01:07:09I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.

01:07:12Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

01:07:15Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.

01:07:18There were 17 alarms in total.

01:07:20The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

01:07:22The alarm title read, call Addy, Boston time.

01:07:25Seven years.

01:07:26No, six years.

01:07:27Since Addy turned one.

01:07:28Every morning at six.

01:07:29Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup,

01:07:34in a meeting, or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

01:07:37When the alarm rang, I called her.

01:07:40Mommy.

01:07:40She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

01:07:43She answered the phone less and less.

01:07:44Finish breakfast?

01:07:45Go to school?

01:07:46Bye, mommy loves you.

01:07:48Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

01:07:50She simply stopped answering.

01:07:52I had never deleted that alarm.

01:07:53I told myself, what if one day she remembered mommy?

01:07:56What if one day she was willing to answer again?

01:07:58I had to be online at that moment.

01:08:00At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

01:08:03That alarm rang too.

01:08:07At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.

01:08:12I stared at the phone screen.

01:08:14She was upstairs.

01:08:17She didn't hear it.

01:08:18Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

01:08:21I stared at that alarm for a long time.

01:08:23I deleted it.

01:08:24The plane taxied down the runway.

01:08:25The engine noise grew louder and louder.

01:08:28I closed my eyes.

01:08:29I said one thing to myself.

01:08:31You've done everything you needed to do.

01:08:35I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

01:08:38The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

01:08:41If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,

01:08:46the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.

01:08:53Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

01:08:57Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.

01:08:59See how much Trevor protects you?

01:09:02I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.

01:09:06It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.

01:09:10And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.

01:09:13I signed.

01:09:15Trevor signed too.

01:09:16He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

01:09:18To keep my wife safe from my own family.

01:09:21To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

01:09:24Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.

01:09:27He had hardly protected me at all.

01:09:29But he had indeed left me a gun.

01:09:32Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.

01:09:35Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

01:09:39Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

01:09:43The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

01:09:46Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

01:09:49Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.

01:09:51I closed the forwarder.

01:09:52I told myself,

01:09:54Amelia, you don't love him anymore.

01:09:58It wasn't something that happened overnight.

01:10:00I'm in a meeting.

01:10:01Again and again, he said,

01:10:02She needs me.

01:10:04Again and again, he said,

01:10:05Your hormones are unstable.

01:10:07Again and again, he said,

01:10:08Cassidy has it hard.

01:10:09He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit.

01:10:12Until it turned to ash.

01:10:13When the wind blew, nothing was left.

01:10:15I closed my eyes.

01:10:16One of the two children in my belly moved.

01:10:18And the other moved with them.

01:10:20I smiled.

01:10:21I said to them,

01:10:22Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

01:10:24Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

01:10:27Starting today.

I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret 🥂 EP10-20 Full Movie 💔 Ultimate Betrayal | Dailymotion #ReelShort

类别

文字稿

评论

推荐视频