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- 9 hours ago
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FunTranscript
00:00Excuse me, we'd like to buy a dad.
00:02When I slipped into a coma, my four-year-old twins emptied their piggy bank to buy themselves a dad.
00:07They brought home my mafia ex, Cassian Moretti, the man who'd hated me for five years.
00:13Two little children with backpacks were looking up at her.
00:16The older sister, Tessa Hale, stood on tiptoe, trying to see over the counter.
00:20Her younger brother, Milo Hale, hugged his backpack, his expression completely serious.
00:25By what?
00:26A dad.
00:27A dad.
00:28Milo unzipped his backpack and pulled out a piggy bank.
00:31He unscrewed the cap underneath and emptied the money onto the counter.
00:34Tessa immediately crouched down and picked them up one by one.
00:38Your ad says we can buy anything here.
00:41Tessa added the coins she'd picked up.
00:43We want a good dad. We don't want a cheap one.
00:46Where's your dad?
00:48We don't have one, Tessa frowned.
00:50That's why we're buying one?
00:51The cashier had no answer to that.
00:53She glanced behind them, no adults.
00:56What about your mom?
00:57Mommy's sick.
00:58She's sleeping.
01:02The lady from social service said we don't have a dad and mommy can't take care of us
01:07so they have to send us somewhere else.
01:10When mommy wakes up, she won't know where we are.
01:13For a moment, the cashier parted her lips, but she don't know what to say.
01:17Is it not enough?
01:19Growing anxious, she took off her own backpack and searched it twice.
01:22All she found was a piece of candy.
01:25You can have this too.
01:27Milo thought for a moment, then pulled a silver necklace out from under his shirt.
01:31I'll add this.
01:32Mommy says it's her treasure.
01:34A large hand reached over and took the pendant.
01:36Give it back!
01:37The man didn't answer.
01:38He turned the pendant over.
01:39His gaze stopped on the tiny letters engraved on the back.
01:41He'd carved them himself years ago.
01:43His fingers tightened sharply.
01:46Mr. Moretti.
01:47Cassian didn't seem to hear her.
01:48He bent down and stared at the children.
01:51Where did you get this necklace?
01:52It's mommy's!
01:53Give it back!
01:54Cassian kept his hand out of reach.
01:56Your mother.
01:57Before he could finish, Tessa lunged forward and bit his hand hard.
02:01Tessa grabbed her brother and ran.
02:02Run!
02:03Their little backpacks bounced as they quickly disappeared into the crowd.
02:06Kids, your money!
02:07Mommy was right.
02:08There are too many bad people out here.
02:10Cassian didn't follow.
02:11He looked down at the bite mark on his hand.
02:13Tiny beads of blood seeped through the broken skin.
02:16The cashier went pale immediately.
02:18Mr. Morelli, I'll have someone bring a first aid kit, right?
02:21Find out.
02:22Cassian looked up, his gaze still fixed on where the children had disappeared.
02:25Those two children.
02:25I want to know who their mother is.
02:28Cassian had barely stepped into the estate when Sabine Vale came to meet him.
02:32Cassian, you're home!
02:33Her gaze dropped to his hand.
02:35What happened to your hand?
02:36Nothing.
02:36It's bandage.
02:37You call it nothing?
02:37Sabine reached for him, then hesitated, afraid of hurting his hand.
02:41Call the doctor right-
02:41No need.
02:43A kid bit me.
02:45Whose little Bert?
02:46What kind of child bites people?
02:48A kid's mouths are full of germs.
02:49You might need a shot.
02:50What if it gets infected?
02:52Cassian didn't respond.
02:53He looked at the aide who had followed him inside.
02:55Did you find anything?
02:56Two photographs were placed on the coffee table.
02:58One showed the children on the mall's security footage.
03:00The other was of me.
03:01Cassian's hand paused as he reached for it.
03:03In the photograph, I wore a plain white shirt, my hair tied back.
03:07I was much thinner than he remembered.
03:09Both children are Miss Hales, fraternal twins.
03:10The older girl is Tessa Hale.
03:12The younger boy is Milo Hale.
03:14Miss Hale is currently hospitalized and still in coma.
03:17There's no one else who can take responsibility for the children.
03:20Social services plans to place them temporarily in a children's shelter.
03:23When Sabine recognized the face in the photograph, her nails dug into her palms.
03:27She quickly composed herself and sat-
03:28So it's her.
03:30She dumped you for money and ran off with another man.
03:32Look where she ended up.
03:33Cassian stared at the photograph without speaking.
03:36Sabine studied his expression before continuing.
03:38What man would actually fall in love with a gold digger like that?
03:40She had his kids and now he's dumped her?
03:42She brought it on herself.
03:45How old are the children?
03:50How old are the children?
03:54According to their birth certificates, three and a half.
03:59Cassian frowned.
04:01His fingers slowly tightened around the photograph.
04:04However, Sabine got relaxed and gave a soft laugh.
04:08You broke up five years ago.
04:10Those kids are only three and a half.
04:13So they really are that other bastards?
04:19Cassian, don't go soft on her.
04:21You broke with the family for her.
04:24You went through hell.
04:26And what did she do?
04:28Dumped you for money without a backward glance.
04:33Now another man has dumped her.
04:35That's Karma.
04:38Cassian pulled his arm away and set down the photograph.
04:42Anything else?
04:43Social services is at the apartment now.
04:45They'll probably take the children today.
04:47Boss, should we...
04:48Cassian looked at the other photograph.
04:50In the security footage, the girl held her brother's hand tightly.
04:52Her free hand curled into a little fist.
04:54Cassian remembered what he'd said at the counter.
04:57When Mommy wakes up, she won't know where we are.
05:01His jaw tightened five years ago.
05:03He'd waited for me, too.
05:04Instead, he'd found out I'd had another man's children.
05:06The photograph bent between his fingers.
05:09A second later, he slammed the entire file onto the coffee table.
05:12I don't give a damn about those two bastards she had with some other man.
05:15Only after they ran out of the mall, did Tessa realize they'd left the piggy bank behind.
05:19All their money was still on the counter.
05:20Standing beneath a bus stop sign, the children searched every corner of their backpacks.
05:25They couldn't find a single coin.
05:27What do we do?
05:29Tessa glanced toward the mall, then quickly ducked her head.
05:33The bad man who'd grabbed the necklace might still be there.
05:37We'll walk home.
05:41I know the way.
05:42The sun heated their little backpacks.
05:44Eventually, Milo's feet began to hurt, and he limped along beside his sister.
05:47Tessa could barely keep walking either, but she held his hand tightly.
05:52We're almost there.
05:54We can have water when we get home.
05:56When their familiar building finally came into view, both children sighed with relief,
06:01but their apartment door was open.
06:02The social worker held her phone, sweating with worry.
06:05You still haven't found them?
06:06Did you check all the intersections nearby?
06:08I'll ask downstairs again.
06:10They're back!
06:11We found the children!
06:13Curried over and crouched to hug them.
06:15Where did you go?
06:16You can't go out by yourselves.
06:18Do you know how long we've been looking for you?
06:20We went to buy a dad.
06:25But we didn't have enough money.
06:27We failed.
06:28A woman wearing a children's shelter staff shirt sighed.
06:32We can't keep putting this off.
06:34They're so young, and there's no one here to look after them.
06:37They wandered off today.
06:38Who knows what could happen tomorrow?
06:39The social worker looked at their sun-flushed faces and nodded.
06:42Let's take them today.
06:44Where?
06:45We're taking you somewhere with food and other children to play with.
06:51We've already packed your clothes.
06:53Come with us.
06:57I'm not going.
07:01We have to wait for Mommy at home.
07:04Your mom's still in the hospital.
07:06She can't come home yet.
07:08When she's getting better, we'll bring you back.
07:10No!
07:11Tessa turned and ran toward the apartment, but the woman quickly caught her arm.
07:14Come on.
07:15The car's downstairs.
07:17Let's go!
07:19Milo rushed over to pull his sister free, but another staff quickly picked him up.
07:27Tessa bent down and bit the woman's hand.
07:30Let him go!
07:32Let him go!
07:34Wait!
07:34You can't bite people?
07:37Tessa, we're here to take care of you!
07:42We don't need you to take care of us!
07:45We want Mommy!
07:47Milo grabbed the doorframe.
07:49I'm not leaving!
07:51Mommy has a key!
07:53She'll come back for us!
07:54The worker holding him didn't dare yank him away.
07:57We're going to have a dad.
07:58If we have a dad, we don't have to leave.
08:00We didn't buy one today, but we'll try tomorrow!
08:03Just wait a little longer!
08:04Milo's fingers were finally pulled free.
08:06Daddy!
08:07Daddy, please come!
08:10Let them go!
08:11Everyone stopped.
08:12Cassian stood at the top of the stairs.
08:14Who are you?
08:15Cassian didn't answer immediately.
08:16His gaze settled on the children.
08:18Both little faces were streaked from crying.
08:20Milo recognized him.
08:21It was the bad guy from the mall!
08:23Sir, what's your relationship with these children?
08:25After a moment, he spoke.
08:27I'm their...
08:28dad.
08:28The social worker stared.
08:30Hello.
08:31I'm Mr. Moretti's aide.
08:32Let's step aside and discuss the details.
08:34The other men followed,
08:35ushering the workers to one side.
08:36Tessa and Milo were finally put down.
08:38They pressed close together,
08:40still sniffling.
08:41Cassian approached and crouched in front of them.
08:43He was about to speak,
08:43when Milo suddenly looked up.
08:46I get it!
08:47What do you get?
08:48You're the dad the mall sold us.
08:49Tessa sniffed, suddenly understanding.
08:51We left our piggy bank at the counter,
08:53so they delivered him anyway!
08:54Milo nodded,
08:55then looked Cassian up and down.
08:57After studying him for a while,
08:58he tugged his sister a little farther away.
09:00We saved our allowance for a whole year.
09:02Why'd they give us this, Dad?
09:03He stole my stuff!
09:04I don't want a mean dad!
09:06Cassian heard every word.
09:07Tessa thought for a moment,
09:08then patted her brother's shoulder.
09:10Mommy says bigger things cost more.
09:13Milo frowned and reluctantly looked at him again.
09:17Let's go.
09:19The children immediately stopped whispering.
09:23Go where?
09:25Cassian looked around the apartment.
09:26It was a cramped rental,
09:27with clutter piled in a corner,
09:29and three old chairs around a little table.
09:31The bed stood by the window,
09:32pieces of cardboard wedged beneath one leg.
09:34I'm taking you somewhere else to live.
09:38No.
09:41We live here.
09:42You can't live in a place like this.
09:44Cassian stepped inside,
09:45nearly hitting his forehead on the low doorframe.
09:46Pack whatever you want to bring.
09:49Don't touch our things!
09:50Milo grabbed the doorframe.
09:52We bought a dad so we wouldn't have to leave.
09:54Why are you taking us away, too?
09:56You really are a bad dad.
10:00I'm taking you somewhere better.
10:02No.
10:03This is the only home Mommy knows.
10:05Mommy will worry if she comes back and can't find us.
10:08We have to wait for her.
10:10Cassian looked at their nearly identical little faces.
10:12One guarded the bed.
10:13The other clung to the door.
10:15Having dealt with the workers outside,
10:16Reed came in.
10:17Boss, the car's ready.
10:18The apartment was quiet for a few seconds.
10:21Cassian loosened his tie.
10:23Go pack my things.
10:24Your things?
10:25Cassian looked at the narrow little bed.
10:27I'm staying here with them tonight.
10:28When Reed delivered the luggage,
10:29Cassian was standing in the tiny kitchen.
10:31He'd press the button on the portable cooktop several times,
10:33but nothing happened.
10:35You have to smack it.
10:37What?
10:39Like that.
10:42Tessa crouched and pulled a pan out of the cabinet.
10:45Mommy uses this one.
10:46Milo opened a drawer and took out a spatula.
10:48This is for cooking.
10:50The children stood on either side of him,
10:52pushing things into his hands.
10:53Cassian looked at the cracked edge of the cooktop
10:55and gave a cold laugh.
10:56Daddy?
10:57Do you not know how to cook?
10:59Cassian looked away from the cooktop.
11:01Go wait outside.
11:03The salt's in the blue box.
11:05Mommy only puts a little bit in.
11:07The oil had barely heated when the cooktop shut off again.
11:09Tessa immediately leaned toward her brother's ear.
11:11I don't think he knows how.
11:15If it tastes bad, do we still have to eat it?
11:19Mommy says we can't waste food.
11:21They both sighed.
11:22Holding the spatula, Cassian glanced back at them.
11:25Both little heads immediately disappeared around the doorway.
11:27Half an hour later, dinner was on the table.
11:29Tessa and Milo sat perfectly straight,
11:31looking at their bowls.
11:32Neither moved first.
11:34Eight.
11:37Tessa closed her eyes and put a little piece of chicken in her mouth.
11:40After two bites, her eyes suddenly opened.
11:42How is it?
11:43Tessa didn't answer.
11:44She took another piece.
11:45Milo quickly tried a bite.
11:47It's good.
11:47Daddy, you do know how to cook.
11:49Cassian sat opposite them.
11:51He'd first learned to cook for me.
11:52Back then, we shared a cramped rental.
11:54I don't want that.
11:55It looks fattening.
11:56I'm trying to lose weight.
11:57Cassian knew I was lying.
11:59That evening, when I came home from work,
12:01I found him cooking.
12:01Oil had splashed onto the back of his hand,
12:03and raised blisters.
12:04The sauce had burned,
12:05and the meat was overcooked.
12:07Try it.
12:07I picked up a piece,
12:08but before I could put it in my mouth,
12:09I noticed the blisters on his hand.
12:11Cassian, you idiot!
12:13You can't cry on your birthday?
12:17I wanted to surprise you.
12:18Sorry I messed it up.
12:20He tried to take the plate away,
12:21but I held onto it.
12:22You didn't.
12:22It's delicious.
12:23Bite after bite,
12:24I ate every last piece of that ruined dinner.
12:27Afterward, I put ointment on his hand.
12:29Don't do this again.
12:31Your hands weren't made to cook for me.
12:34I just want to make you happy.
12:35I looked up at him.
12:36As long as you're with me, I'm happy.
12:38Cassian pulled me into his arms.
12:40Okay.
12:41We'll stay together forever.
12:42Forever.
12:43Tessa froze.
12:44Her empty bowl held halfway up.
12:46Milo stopped moving his spoon, too.
12:49Mommy says we can't lie.
12:51It really tastes good.
12:52Cassian paused,
12:53then took Tessa's bowl
12:54and added another half-servant.
12:56Take a shower when you're done,
12:58then straight to bed.
12:59Neither child dared say anything else.
13:01By the time they'd changed into their pajamas
13:02and climbed into bed,
13:03Cassian was clearing the dishes.
13:05The kids looked at each other.
13:06Finally, Tessa nudged her brother.
13:08Daddy,
13:10can you tell us a bedtime story?
13:12Cassian looked up.
13:13The children sat side by side on the bed.
13:16Mommy always did this.
13:18Cassian was silent for a few seconds.
13:20Where's the storybook?
13:22Here.
13:23Tessa moved over to make room for him.
13:25Cassian sat on the edge of the bed
13:26and opened the book.
13:27He'd barely read two lines
13:28when Tessa tugged his sleeve.
13:31Daddy,
13:32the big bad wolf needs a deeper voice.
13:35The bunny needs a higher one.
13:39Do you want the story or not?
13:41They immediately slid beneath the covers.
13:43Yes.
13:43Yes.
13:44Tessa's eyes slowly drifted shut.
13:46Milo struggled to stay awake,
13:48his fingers gripping the hem
13:49of Cassian's shirt.
13:50Daddy?
13:51Hmm?
13:54Will you still be here tomorrow?
13:56Yes.
13:57The little hand finally loosened.
13:59Cassian closed the book
14:00and tucked them in.
14:01The children slept close together,
14:03Tessa's hand still resting
14:04on her brother's arm.
14:06He began to smile gently.
14:07His phone suddenly rang,
14:09breaking the silence.
14:10Cassian quickly picked it up.
14:11Boss,
14:12we just heard from the hospital.
14:13Miss Hale's condition
14:14suddenly deteriorated.
14:15They're trying to resuscitate her.
14:16What did you say?
14:17The doctor says she might not make it.
14:19Bring the car!
14:20Right now!
14:21I won't let her die
14:22without an explanation.
14:23He hung up and turned.
14:25The children had already woken.
14:27Tessa sat beneath the covers,
14:28looking at him with tearful eyes.
14:30Milo rubbed his eyes.
14:32What's wrong with Mommy?
14:33We want Mommy!
14:35Outside the resuscitation room,
14:37Tessa and Milo pressed against the glass,
14:39crying desperately.
14:40I lay on the hospital bed.
14:42Mommy!
14:43Mommy, don't leave us!
14:46We bought us a daddy!
14:48You don't have to take care of us
14:49all by yourself anymore!
14:51Cassian stood behind them,
14:52staring at me on the bed.
14:54He hadn't seen me in five years.
14:55I was so thin
14:56he could barely recognize me.
14:58He punched the wall.
14:59Blood seeped through the bandage
15:00on his hand.
15:02Boss,
15:03find the best doctors.
15:04I don't care where they are.
15:06Bring them here.
15:07Now!
15:07I want her alive.
15:09He looked back through the glass.
15:10His jaw clenched hard.
15:11Eloide,
15:12you left me for five years.
15:14Left me alone
15:14with every promise we made.
15:16You don't get to take
15:16this easy way out now.
15:18Soon,
15:18a new medical team arrived.
15:19The resuscitation room doors opened,
15:21then closed again.
15:23Tessa tried to follow them inside,
15:24but Cassian picked her up
15:25and pulled her back.
15:26They're here to save Mommy.
15:27Tessa clutched his collar.
15:29Can they really save her?
15:31Yes.
15:31Milo rushed over.
15:33Daddy,
15:34don't let Mommy die!
15:37I won't.
15:38Neither child would leave that night.
15:39When they grew too tired to cry,
15:41they slept in Cassian's arms for a while.
15:43Whenever they woke,
15:44the first thing they did
15:44was look at the resuscitation room doors.
15:46At dawn,
15:47a doctor finally came out.
15:48How is she?
15:50She's out of immediate danger,
15:51but she's still unconscious.
15:53We need to keep monitoring her.
15:55Cassian's shoulders tense all night,
15:56finally relaxed.
15:57When he turned around,
15:58Tessa?
16:00Milo?
16:01Reed,
16:01where are the children?
16:02They were here a second ago.
16:03Find them!
16:04Now!
16:05Outside the hospital,
16:06they went to bought breakfast for Cassian.
16:08Auntie,
16:08we want to buy breakfast for our father.
16:10He stayed up all night
16:12taking care of our mommy,
16:13but we don't have any money.
16:15Oh.
16:17Hold it steady.
16:19Daddy hasn't eaten yet.
16:20After he eats,
16:21he'll have the energy back
16:22to take good care of mommy.
16:24They had just reached
16:25the hospital entrance
16:26when a car stopped beside them.
16:28Sabine stepped out,
16:29carrying a fruit basket.
16:30She'd heard Cassian
16:31had spent the night at the hospital
16:32and had come first thing in the morning.
16:34Before she could enter,
16:35she recognized the children
16:36in front of her,
16:37the same two from the photograph.
16:39Well,
16:40you two must be
16:41the gold diggers, kids.
16:45My mommy is not a gold digger.
16:48Mommy raised us by herself.
16:50And now we have a daddy.
16:54A daddy?
16:55God knows what broke loser
16:56she found this time.
16:58Your mother's quite something.
17:00Flat on her back in a hospital,
17:01and she still manages
17:02to find you a replacement dad.
17:04Don't you talk about mommy!
17:06Let's go.
17:08Daddy's waiting.
17:09But Sabine stepped directly
17:10toward them and slammed into Tessa.
17:11Tessa stumbled into her brother.
17:12The hot oatmeal slipped
17:13from Milo's hands
17:14and spilled onto his lower leg.
17:16The breakfast rolls
17:16tumbled out of Tessa's bag
17:17and landed in the dirt.
17:18Watch where you're going.
17:20You bumped into us!
17:22That was for daddy!
17:24She lunged forward,
17:25grabbed Sabine's hand,
17:26and bit down.
17:27Sabine looked at the bite mark
17:28on her hand.
17:29Cassian?
17:31Daddy!
17:32Tessa scrambled up
17:33and limped toward him.
17:35Daddy!
17:36Daddy?
17:37Cassian crouched
17:38and caught the children.
17:39Tessa's hair was messed.
17:40A large patch of skin
17:41on Milo's lower leg
17:42was scalded red.
17:43Who did this?
17:44Her!
17:45She said bad things
17:46about mommy,
17:47and she bumped into us!
17:49We walked so far
17:51to buy daddy breakfast.
17:53The rolls fell,
17:54and the oatmeal's gone.
17:56Daddy hasn't eaten yet.
18:00It's okay.
18:01Daddy sees it.
18:04Sabine finally recovered.
18:06Casey,
18:06why would you...
18:07Cassian shot Reed a look.
18:09He took the hint immediately
18:10and slapped Sabine
18:11across the face.
18:14Apologize.
18:15What?
18:16Apologize to them.
18:17She bit me first!
18:19Look,
18:19she made me bleed!
18:21You bumped into
18:22my brother first.
18:23Milo curled
18:24into Cassian's arms.
18:25Sabina,
18:27don't make me say it twice.
18:28Sabine went pale.
18:29Finally,
18:29she lowered her head
18:30through clenched teeth.
18:31I'm sorry.
18:32Reed,
18:33get a doctor.
18:34Sabine stood where she was.
18:36A few minutes later,
18:36she took out her phone
18:37and dialed a number.
18:39Mrs. Moretti?
18:40After the children's injuries
18:41were treated,
18:42Cassian took them
18:43out of the hospital.
18:44The car had barely
18:44left the parking lot
18:45when a black sedan
18:46suddenly stopped
18:46in front of them.
18:47Another car pulled up
18:48behind them,
18:49locking their way.
18:51Boss,
18:51it's your mother's car.
18:52Cassian's expression darkened.
18:53The car door opened,
18:54and his mother
18:55approached his window.
18:56She glanced
18:56at the children
18:57in his arms.
18:58We need to talk
18:58about these children.
19:01Was all this necessary?
19:03If you'd answer your phone,
19:04I wouldn't have
19:05to come myself.
19:07Come home.
19:08Half an hour later,
19:09the estate's sitting room
19:10was full.
19:11Sabine sat beside
19:12Cassian's mother.
19:13Several of his uncles
19:13had come,
19:14their eyes fixed
19:14on the children
19:15at his side.
19:16Cassian had a member
19:16of the staff
19:17take the children
19:17to another room
19:18to rest.
19:19I hear you've decided
19:19to be a father
19:20to Eloine's children.
19:21They have no guardian,
19:22so you let them
19:23call you dad?
19:23Cassian,
19:24I know you're trying
19:24to help,
19:25but the family
19:26can't take in
19:26two children
19:27when we don't
19:27even know
19:27where they came from.
19:28Cassian,
19:29didn't you learn
19:29your lesson
19:29five years ago?
19:30You walked away
19:31from the family
19:31for that woman.
19:32You'd rather move out
19:32and live in poverty
19:33than leave her.
19:34And what happened?
19:36She took a fortune
19:37from the family
19:37then dumped you.
19:39Cassian's hand
19:39slowly tightened
19:40at his side.
19:41Cassian,
19:42that money was enough
19:42for an ordinary person
19:43to live comfortably
19:44for the rest of her life.
19:45Now she's this poor?
19:47Who knows if she's
19:48putting on an act
19:49to get your sympathy?
19:49A tearful voice
19:50suddenly interrupted.
19:51Mommy has money.
19:53Tessa ran out
19:54of the other room.
19:54Milo close behind.
19:56The staff member
19:56followed,
19:57looking helpless.
19:59Sir,
20:00they insisted
20:00on coming out.
20:02Mommy wouldn't
20:03trick Daddy.
20:04Mommy has money.
20:06Sabine looked
20:06at Cassian,
20:07sudden delight
20:08flashing across
20:08her face.
20:10Cassian,
20:10you heard them.
20:12Even her children
20:12say Elodie has money.
20:15Mommy makes
20:16lots of money.
20:17She works
20:18in the daytime
20:19and she works
20:21at night too.
20:22Okay.
20:25Sometimes she's
20:26still working
20:26when we wake up.
20:28Mommy's really
20:29good at it.
20:30We help Mommy
20:31do chores
20:32and she pays us.
20:34We saved our pay
20:35for a whole year
20:36before we could
20:37buy Daddy.
20:38No one in the
20:38sitting room spoke.
20:39After a moment,
20:40Cassian's mother
20:41forced a couple
20:42of laughs.
20:45You can't take
20:46what children
20:46say seriously.
20:48Then check the
20:49bank records
20:49from back then.
20:50Sabine's expression
20:51changed sharply.
20:52She instinctively
20:53glanced at his
20:54mother.
20:56There's no need,
20:57is it?
20:57It's been so long.
20:58Besides,
20:59you saw the
21:00records yourself
21:00back then.
21:01I did look
21:02at them once.
21:04But now
21:05Elodie works
21:05day and night
21:06to raise
21:07two children.
21:09She can't even
21:09pay her hospital
21:10bills.
21:13Where the hell
21:14did all that
21:14money go?
21:16Cassian's
21:16mother's face
21:17darkened.
21:19Are you
21:20questioning
21:20your own
21:21family for
21:22her?
21:23Cassian didn't
21:23answer.
21:24He called
21:24Reed directly.
21:26Find out.
21:27Sabine
21:27instinctively
21:28stood.
21:29Cassian!
21:30Sit down!
21:31Cassian placed
21:31the children
21:32on the sofa
21:32and sat
21:33beside them.
21:35I have time
21:36today.
21:37We'll wait
21:38for the results.
21:39No one
21:39spoke again.
21:40Sabine glanced
21:41at Cassian's
21:41mother several
21:42times, but the
21:42woman never
21:43looked back
21:43at her.
21:44Before long,
21:45Reed came in
21:45with the bank
21:45records.
21:47Boss, the
21:49money was
21:49transferred into
21:49an account in
21:50Miss Hale's
21:50name.
21:51I told you.
21:52But it
21:53stayed there for
21:53less than 20
21:54minutes.
21:55Reed placed the
21:55documents on the
21:56coffee table.
21:57Then the entire
21:58amount was
21:58transferred into
21:59Miss Hale's
21:59account.
22:00Sabine's
22:00expression froze.
22:02Through
22:03Elladoid's
22:03account, then
22:05straight into
22:05yours.
22:07Were you
22:08laundering it?
22:09No!
22:10Sabine burst
22:11into tears.
22:13Cassian, let me
22:14explain!
22:16Explain.
22:17Cassian tossed
22:18the statement
22:19in front of
22:19her.
22:19Sabine looked
22:20at his
22:20mother.
22:21The woman's
22:21expression was
22:21already grim.
22:22Your mother
22:23told me to!
22:25She said
22:25Ellaby betrayed
22:26you for money
22:27and didn't
22:27deserve a cent.
22:29She couldn't
22:30let Ellaby's
22:30hurt you and
22:31then live off
22:31the family's
22:32money.
22:32Cassian turned
22:33to his
22:33mother.
22:37Yes, I
22:38told her to.
22:39I wanted
22:40Ellaby to walk
22:41away with
22:41nothing.
22:42You broke
22:42with the
22:43family for
22:43her.
22:44You lived
22:44like that and
22:45all she cared
22:45about was
22:46money.
22:46I'm your
22:47mother.
22:48What was
22:48wrong with
22:49making her
22:49pay for
22:49what she
22:50did to
22:50you?
22:50Sabine nodded
22:51quickly.
22:52Cassian, she
22:52was only
22:53looking out
22:53for you.
22:54Your mother
22:55did the
22:55right thing.
22:56If Ellaby
22:57hadn't been
22:57greedy, none
22:58of this would
22:58have happened.
23:00She took
23:01the money and
23:01walked away.
23:02She should
23:03have known
23:03there would
23:03be consequences.
23:05Cassian
23:05looked at the
23:05people in
23:06front of him.
23:06The smile
23:07slowly disappeared
23:08from his
23:08face.
23:08So for five
23:09years, you
23:11watched me hate
23:11her and
23:12not one of
23:13you told
23:13me the
23:13money ended
23:14up in
23:14Sabine's
23:14pocket.
23:15What does
23:16that have
23:16to do with
23:16her betraying
23:17you?
23:19Does not
23:19getting the
23:20money mean
23:20she didn't
23:21abandon you?
23:24Cassian, I
23:25can give the
23:25money back, but
23:27she had another
23:28man's children.
23:29You can't
23:29deny that.
23:35You broke
23:36up five years
23:36ago.
23:37They're three
23:38and a half.
23:39She left
23:40you and
23:40climbed straight
23:41into another
23:41man's bed.
23:43Is a woman
23:44like that
23:44worth defending?
23:45Tessa stood
23:46on the sofa,
23:46her cheeks
23:47puffing with
23:47anger.
23:48Don't say
23:49bad things
23:49about mommy!
23:53Adults are
23:54talking.
23:55Children don't
23:56interrupt.
23:57Cassian reached
23:57out and drew
23:58Tessa against
23:58his side.
24:00One of his
24:00uncles watched
24:01him and gave
24:02a cold laugh.
24:03Get a grip,
24:04Cassian.
24:05Turning on
24:06your own
24:06family over
24:07another man's
24:08kids.
24:08What the
24:09hell are you
24:09thinking?
24:10Milo tightened
24:11his grip on
24:11Cassian's sleeve.
24:13We're not
24:14bastards.
24:15His voice was
24:16tiny, his eyes
24:17already red.
24:18Do you even
24:18know who your
24:18real dad is?
24:19Milo's lips
24:20trembled.
24:28Daddy?
24:29He isn't
24:30your father.
24:31You're not
24:32his blood.
24:33Stop calling
24:34him that.
24:34Milo's tears
24:35spilled over.
24:36Tessa spread
24:37her arms to
24:37shield her
24:38brother, her
24:38own eyes
24:39reddening.
24:40The sitting
24:40room went
24:40silent.
24:41Milo wrapped
24:42his arms around
24:42Cassian's neck
24:43and asked
24:44through his
24:44tears,
24:44Daddy, did
24:45we buy a
24:46fake one?
24:47Cassian's hand
24:47tightened sharply
24:48beneath him.
24:49Then Reed
24:49stepped forward.
24:50There's something
24:51else I found.
24:52Talk.
24:52Their birth
24:53certificates were
24:54altered.
24:54Cassian's hands
24:55went still beneath
24:56the children.
24:56Altered, Reed
24:57nodded and offered
24:58the documents.
24:59The dates on the
25:00birth certificates
25:01don't match the
25:02hospital's original
25:02records.
25:03The children are
25:04actually four years
25:05old.
25:06He repeated the
25:06word under his
25:07breath.
25:08Four.
25:10Tessa and Milo
25:10both looked like
25:11me.
25:12Round eyes,
25:12little noses,
25:13even the same way
25:14of pressing their
25:14lips together when
25:15they were upset.
25:16But now,
25:17studying Milo's
25:17eyes and brows,
25:18Cassian could see
25:19a trace of himself.
25:20Tessa still had her
25:21arms around his neck.
25:22When Cassian didn't
25:23speak, Milo timidly
25:24tugged his collar.
25:25Daddy?
25:27Sabine suddenly stood.
25:28So what if they're
25:29four?
25:30Her voice was so
25:31shrill that both
25:31children flinched.
25:32That doesn't prove
25:34they're yours!
25:35Maybe Eloway was
25:36cheating on you
25:37all along.
25:38Sabine gripped her
25:39skirt, her words
25:40growing more frantic.
25:42You were so poor
25:44back then!
25:45Maybe she couldn't
25:46stand it and found
25:47someone behind your
25:48back!
25:49No wonder she never
25:50came crawling back,
25:52even without the
25:52money.
25:54She already had
25:55another man lined
25:56up.
25:57She was even
25:57pregnant.
25:58My mommy didn't
25:59Cassian gently
26:00cupped the back
26:01of her head.
26:02Don't listen.
26:05Arrange a paternity
26:06test.
26:08Boss, after I
26:08discovered the dates
26:09were wrong, I
26:10contacted three of
26:10the most reputable
26:11testing labs in
26:12Chicago and arranged
26:12expedited tests at
26:13each.
26:14The results just
26:15arrived.
26:15Cassian set Tessa
26:16on the sofa, then
26:17put Milo down.
26:18Thinking Cassian
26:18didn't want to hold
26:19him anymore, Milo
26:20immediately grabbed
26:21his sleeve.
26:22Daddy?
26:26I'm here.
26:27Cassian squeezed
26:27his little hand and
26:28took the reports.
26:29He opened the
26:29pages.
26:30His gaze passed
26:31over the names and
26:31went straight to the
26:32final line.
26:33The results support
26:34Cassian Moretti as
26:34the biological father
26:35of Tessa Hale.
26:36He opened another
26:37report.
26:37The results support
26:38Cassian Moretti as
26:39the biological father
26:40of Milo Hale.
26:41His hands began to
26:42shake around the
26:42reports.
26:43Tessa, Milo, they
26:44really were his
26:45children.
26:46Daddy?
26:47Daddy, what's
26:48wrong?
26:49Cassian put down the
26:50reports and bent to
26:51pull both children
26:52tightly into his arms.
26:53His eyes reddened.
26:54His voice caught.
26:57Daddy's here.
26:58The real one?
26:59The real one.
27:01Guaranteed.
27:02Cassian officially
27:03brought the children
27:04into the family.
27:05His mother and
27:05Sabine tried to
27:06contact several of
27:07his uncles to stop
27:08it, but before
27:08long, those uncles
27:09were busy dealing
27:10with problems
27:11involving their
27:11shares, debts,
27:12and embezzled
27:13funds.
27:13None had time to
27:14interfere in his
27:15personal life.
27:16The Vale family
27:16was no different.
27:17For the next two
27:18weeks, Cassian
27:19brought the children
27:19to see me at the
27:20hospital every day.
27:21The surgery went
27:22well.
27:23When will she
27:24wake up?
27:25We can't say yet.
27:27Cassian stood
27:27outside my room
27:28without speaking
27:28for a long time.
27:29When he came
27:30back in, Tessa
27:31was standing on
27:31tiptoe, trying
27:32to pull up my
27:33blanket.
27:33She couldn't
27:33reach the foot
27:34of the bed,
27:34so Milo went
27:35around to help.
27:36After working
27:36at it for a
27:37while, they
27:37finally covered
27:38my feet.
27:39Cassian sat
27:39beside the bed
27:40and took my
27:40hand.
27:41My fingers
27:41were so thin
27:42that the bones
27:43pressed into
27:43his palm.
27:46Ella Boyd,
27:47I'll wait
27:48for you.
27:50You still owe
27:50me five years.
27:55I hold
27:56grudges.
28:00You'll need
28:00a lifetime
28:01to make it
28:01up to me.
28:03Mommy, we
28:03bought a dad.
28:04Milo leaned
28:05against the bed
28:05and called
28:06softly.
28:07The real
28:07one.
28:10After saying
28:10it, she
28:11glanced back
28:12at Cassian.
28:15The real
28:15one.
28:17Reassured,
28:18Milo rested
28:18his face
28:19beside my
28:19pillow.
28:22you'll see
28:23him when
28:23you wake
28:24up.
28:25Daddy's really
28:26handsome.
28:27He can cook
28:28and tell stories
28:30and carry us,
28:32both of us
28:32at once.
28:34He doesn't
28:34drop us.
28:37He doesn't
28:38let bad people
28:39hurt us.
28:43Mommy, you
28:44don't have to
28:45work so much
28:46anymore.
28:47Daddy will
28:47take care of
28:48us.
28:49We'll take
28:50care of you
28:51too.
28:52We'll bring
28:52you water
28:53and fold
28:54your towels.
28:59So wake
29:00up soon.
29:01We all
29:02miss you.
29:03Cassian reached
29:04out and drew
29:04the children
29:05against him.
29:06His other
29:06hand never
29:07let go of
29:07mine.
29:08Crying suddenly
29:09sounded outside
29:09the door.
29:10Cassian!
29:12Please see
29:13me!
29:14Bodyguards held
29:14Sabine outside
29:15my room.
29:15Her hair was
29:16disheveled, her
29:17eyes red and
29:17swollen from
29:18crying.
29:18Over the past
29:19few days, she'd
29:20gone to Cassian's
29:20mother and his
29:21uncles, but they
29:22were all busy
29:22dealing with their
29:23own messes and
29:23had no time to
29:24see her.
29:25Meanwhile, the
29:25Vale family's
29:26creditors kept
29:26showing up, one
29:27after another.
29:28Finally, unable
29:29to take it
29:29anymore, she'd
29:30come to the
29:30hospital.
29:31I know I was
29:32wrong!
29:33Please leave my
29:34family alone!
29:35My dad can't
29:35take much more!
29:38That bad,
29:39lady?
29:40Cassian patted
29:40his back, then
29:41stood and
29:42walked to the
29:42door.
29:43When Sabine
29:44saw him, she
29:45immediately
29:45lunged forward.
29:46Cassian!
29:47Punish me
29:48however you
29:48want!
29:49Just leave my
29:49family alone!
29:50Cassian frowned
29:51and glanced at
29:52the bed behind
29:52him.
29:53I just want to
29:54talk to you
29:54for a minute!
29:55He looked up
29:56at the bodyguard
29:57beside her.
29:57A second later,
29:58a hand covered
29:59Sabine's mouth.
30:00Her crying
30:00stopped abruptly.
30:01Her eyes widened
30:02as she was dragged
30:02away.
30:03Cassian closed
30:04the door and
30:04returned to my
30:05side.
30:05Three days later,
30:06Cassian brought
30:07the children to
30:07the hospital as
30:08usual.
30:08Before they could
30:09get out of
30:09the car, he
30:10saw thick smoke
30:10pouring from
30:11my floor.
30:12Alarms blared.
30:13Tessa pressed
30:13against the car
30:14window, her
30:14face turning
30:15white.
30:22Cassian shoved
30:23the car door
30:23open.
30:24Outside the
30:24hospital, police
30:25officers were
30:26restraining Sabine.
30:26Her hair hung
30:27loose and tangled.
30:28When she saw
30:28Cassian, she
30:29suddenly burst
30:30out laughing.
30:35You're too
30:35late, Cassian!
30:37Elowar's dead!
30:38Cassian stopped
30:39sharply.
30:40Sabine laughed
30:40until tears
30:41ran down her
30:41face.
30:43You destroyed
30:44my family for
30:45her!
30:45Now you'll
30:45never have
30:46her!
30:47She was
30:48lying there.
30:49She couldn't
30:49even run.
30:51Shut up!
30:52The children
30:52were already
30:53trying to run
30:53inside, crying.
30:58Cassian pushed
30:58them into Reed's
30:59arms.
31:00Watch them.
31:03Boss, the
31:04building's on fire!
31:05Cassian shook
31:06off his hand and
31:06rushed inside.
31:07Behind him, the
31:07children screamed
31:08desperately.
31:13The stairwell was
31:14full of smoke.
31:14Cassian ran
31:15upstairs, his
31:16shirt soaked
31:16with sweat.
31:18You can't go any
31:19farther!
31:20There's someone
31:21inside!
31:21The rescue team
31:22is already...
31:24My wife's in
31:25there.
31:26He went around
31:27the person and
31:27charged into the
31:28corridor.
31:28My room's door
31:29was open.
31:30Firelight flickered
31:30against the walls.
31:31Thick smoke kept
31:32pouring out.
31:33I still lay on the
31:34bed motionless.
31:35He rushed over and
31:36lifted me into his
31:37arms.
31:37When he turned to
31:38leave, he could no
31:39longer see his way
31:39through the corridor.
31:40The smoke stung his
31:41eyes so badly he
31:42could barely open
31:43them.
31:43He held me tightly
31:44and headed toward
31:45the stairs from
31:45memory.
31:46But when he rounded
31:47the corner, flames
31:48blocked his path.
31:49The heat forced him
31:49back.
31:50He tried another
31:51direction.
31:51Identical room doors
31:52passed beside him.
31:53Smoke hid the exit
31:54signs.
31:55He stopped for a
31:56moment, his chest
31:57heaving.
31:57I still didn't move in
31:58his arms.
31:59Cassian gritted his
32:00teeth and kept going.
32:01Smoke filled his
32:02throat.
32:02He doubled over
32:03coughing, but his
32:04arms never stopped
32:05supporting me.
32:05His legs gave way,
32:06and his knees struck
32:07the floor hard.
32:08He braced against
32:09the wall, got up,
32:10and carried me a few
32:11more steps.
32:12Then I tugged his
32:12sleeve.
32:13Cassian looked down
32:14sharply.
32:15My eyes were open.
32:16Tears blurred my
32:16vision.
32:17Using all my
32:18strength, I tilted
32:18my head toward one
32:19side.
32:20Cassian's eyes lit up.
32:22He tightened his
32:22arms around me and
32:23immediately turned in
32:24the direction I'd
32:25indicated.
32:25A few steps later,
32:26the stairwell door
32:27appeared through the
32:28smoke.
32:28He pushed through it
32:29and ran downstairs
32:30with me in his
32:31arms.
32:31I rested against
32:32his chest, listening
32:33to his ragged
32:33breathing.
32:34My hand never let
32:35go of his sleeve.
32:36Finally, daylight
32:36fell across my face.
32:38They're out!
32:38Someone rushed toward
32:39us.
32:40Cassian stumbled a few
32:41more steps with me in
32:41his arms, then dropped
32:42to his knees.
32:43Reed immediately ran
32:44over to support him.
32:46Ross!
32:47Cassian didn't answer.
32:48He looked down at me,
32:49his arms still trembling.
32:52Elidoy?
32:53I lifted my hand and
32:54touched his face.
32:55It's me.
32:55His eyes immediately
32:58reddened.
33:02Tessa pulled away
33:02from Reed and ran
33:03over, crying.
33:04Milo followed close
33:05behind.
33:06Both children rushed
33:07to my side but were
33:07afraid to touch me.
33:08Tessa looked at my
33:09face, her lips
33:10trembling uncontrollably.
33:14Mommy, you're awake?
33:20Come here.
33:21Tessa threw herself
33:22into my arms.
33:22Milo hugged me,
33:23crying too.
33:24Mommy!
33:25We called you so many
33:26times but you never
33:27answered.
33:28I heard you.
33:28I'm sorry I made you
33:29wait so long.
33:30Mommy, we bought a dad.
33:32The real one.
33:33He saved you.
33:34I'm just glad you're
33:35back.
33:36Mommy and Daddy.
33:36We're here.
33:37We're both here.
33:38A few days later, I
33:39moved into a new
33:40hospital room but Tessa
33:41and Milo refused to
33:42go home.
33:42When they slept, one
33:43clutched my sleeve while
33:45the other hugged my arm.
33:46What if Mommy
33:46disappears again?
33:48I could only kiss him,
33:49then kiss Tessa.
33:50I won't.
33:51Mommy's right here.
33:52After we finally settled
33:53the children to sleep,
33:53Cassian tucked them in
33:54and sat beside me.
33:55The room grew quiet.
33:57He held my hand, his
33:58thumb gently rubbing my
33:59knuckles.
33:59After a long time, he
34:00asked softly,
34:01Five years ago, why did
34:02you insist on breaking up
34:03with me?
34:04Your mother came to see
34:05me.
34:09What did she say?
34:11She said she was sick, that
34:13there was no cure.
34:15She wanted you to come
34:16home and spend whatever
34:17time she had left with
34:18her.
34:18You wouldn't even answer
34:19her calls back then.
34:21She came to beg me.
34:23She said you'd never go
34:24home as long as I was
34:25there.
34:25She wasn't sick.
34:29She wasn't sick at all
34:30back then.
34:30I wasn't there when my
34:32parents died.
34:34Cassius, I still regret it.
34:36I didn't want you to go
34:37through that too.
34:38So you left.
34:40You said you couldn't
34:40stand being poor with me
34:41anymore.
34:42Said you regretted it.
34:43I covered my mouth and
34:44nodded.
34:45When you found out you were
34:46pregnant, why didn't you
34:47tell me?
34:47I was going to come find
34:49you.
34:49Then I saw the announcement
34:50about you marrying Sabina.
34:51Cassian briefly closed his
34:52eyes.
34:53My mother leaked it.
34:54You didn't know?
34:55I knew.
34:56His voice lowered.
34:57I didn't shut it down.
34:59I wanted you to come
35:00back.
35:02I thought you'd chosen
35:03someone else.
35:04I was afraid the family
35:05would find out about them
35:06and take them away, so I
35:07changed the dates on their
35:08birth certificates.
35:09Cassian turned to look at
35:09the children.
35:10We really are.
35:11He stopped halfway
35:12through.
35:13I finished for him.
35:14Neither of us would just
35:15talk to the other.
35:17Mommy?
35:18We both turned.
35:19He rubbed his eyes and
35:20looked at us sleepily.
35:21Once he'd made sure I was
35:22still there and seen
35:23Cassian, he lay down
35:24again.
35:25Daddy's here too?
35:28I'm here.
35:28Cassian pulled up his
35:29blanket.
35:30Then we don't have to
35:31buy another one.
35:32After Sabine went to
35:33prison for arson, the
35:35Vale family sold their
35:36companies and properties.
35:37They still owed a fortune
35:38and creditors hounded them
35:39every day.
35:40Cassian's mother tried to
35:41ask him to help them, but
35:42she'd barely said a few
35:43words before she collapsed.
35:44After examining her, the
35:45doctor said she really was
35:47sick.
35:47Cassian arranged for her to
35:48receive treatment abroad.
35:50Once I was stronger, Cassian
35:51moved us into a new home.
35:52There was a large bed in the
35:53bedroom, but Tessa and Milo
35:55still stood in the doorway,
35:56hugging their pillows.
35:59Can we sleep here?
36:00Cassian glanced at me.
36:01Smiling, I lifted the
36:03covers.
36:03The children immediately
36:04climbed in, each claiming
36:05one side of me.
36:06Cassian lay down last and
36:08reached over to turn off
36:09the light.
36:09In the darkness, Tessa
36:10suddenly asked,
36:12Mommy, do you like the
36:13dad we bought?
36:14I turned toward Cassian.
36:15He weighs waiting for my
36:16answer too.
36:17Yes.
36:18Then we won't return him.
36:20No returns.
36:21Go to sleep.
36:22I feel free.
36:22No ones who go to sleep,
36:22I don't know.
36:22There we go.
36:22No one thing