I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret  Free to Watch Eng Sub ✨ A Mother's Comeback | Dailymotion #ReelShort─影片 Dailymotion

Guilty Sheets Hub

😊Click to download the app to watch all episodes for free: https://reelslink.com/marketing/JMOv5l 🌎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.  Some mistakes can never be forgiven. 🥀  Amelia wanted to surprise Trevor with the news of her pregnancy. Instead, the surprise was on her. Seeing him with another woman broke her heart, but it awakened a fierce survivor. She didn't just walk away; she reclaimed the throne she left behind.  Shedding the identity of a betrayed housewife, she steps back into the spotlight as Dr. Amelia Voss, a tech genius. Supported by her grandmother and a quiet suitor who truly values her, Amelia builds a beautiful new life for herself and her daughter. And Trevor? He has to watch from the sidelines, realizing exactly what a treasure he lost.  🌟 GENRE HIGHLIGHTS: Romance, All-Too-Late, Female, Toxic 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 Free to Watch Eng Sub ✨ A Mother's Comeback | Dailymotion #ReelShort

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