0:00
pressing the button Amanda Johnson
0:02
pulled into her driveway and opened her
0:03
garage door as usual she drove inside
0:07
and saw that her husband's car was not
0:09
in the garage she wondered if he had
0:11
taken the kids out for dinner although
0:14
she believed it was too late for them to
0:16
leave the fact that it was Friday night
0:18
meant the kids wouldn't have to go to
0:20
school the following day it made her
0:22
smile to think that David would be
0:24
watching the kids for once usually she
0:27
felt like she was watching three kids
0:29
instead of just two she exited the
0:31
vehicle and went inside without the
0:34
light and sound of video games emanating
0:36
from their large screen TV the interior
0:39
of the house she shared with her spouse
0:41
and their two kids appeared disturbingly
0:43
quiet it was already dark outside for an
0:47
instant she felt slightly remorseful
0:49
about what she had done with her lover
0:50
Mark earlier that evening she pondered
0:53
if this would be her fate if David
0:55
decided to call it quits on their
0:57
marriage as she peered around the quiet
0:59
dark house she thought for a moment
1:01
before laughing and going upstairs she
1:04
had been seeing Mark for 8 months and
1:06
during that time David had accepted all
1:09
of her justifications without question
1:12
no she thought to herself if David was
1:15
going to do something he would have done
1:17
it already she used to see Mark about
1:20
once or twice a week but lately she had
1:23
been going to his house up to four
1:24
evenings a week including Fridays she
1:27
was quite sure David understood what she
1:29
was doing but he never pushed her so she
1:32
kept making up reasons for him when she
1:34
informed him Hal truthfully that she had
1:37
a weekend conference in New York about a
1:39
month ago he didn't even ask any
1:41
questions in actuality she was in New
1:43
York with Mark that weekend Mark was the
1:46
only one who had to go to the conference
1:48
of course they were going to go on a
1:50
week-long cruise together and she was
1:52
going to be his plus one for the entire
1:54
weekend all they had to do was come up
1:56
with a reason that David would believe
1:59
she went upstairs got in the shower and
2:02
undressed she desired to appear as
2:04
youthful as possible for her spouse upon
2:06
his return with the kids in case David
2:09
wanted to have some intimacy she wanted
2:11
to appear clean to him she didn't expect
2:14
him to flirt with her tonight of course
2:16
he hadn't been doing that lately
2:18
nevertheless she pondered nobody can
2:20
ever be certain she tucked herself
2:23
between the covers and fell asleep fast
2:25
she expected to wake up the following
2:27
morning to find her husband by her side
2:29
but he wasn't there and his side of the
2:31
bed didn't appear to have been touched
2:33
she listened but the house was silent
2:36
perhaps they're outside she speculated
2:39
rising to her feet she slipped on her
2:41
robe and surveyed the home finding
2:43
nothing to suggest their presence she
2:46
peered out figuring they could be in the
2:48
yard doing some work but nobody was
2:50
there calling them as she ran around the
2:52
house she got no response she looked
2:54
into the garage distraught but David's
2:57
car was nowhere to be found after
2:59
running running back upstairs she
3:00
checked the closet David's clothes and
3:03
personal hygiene items had vanished upon
3:06
entering the children's bedrooms she
3:08
noticed that their belongings were also
3:10
gone she pulled out her phone to try to
3:12
call David but she got a message that
3:14
the number she was trying to reach was
3:15
out of service oh my God no she cried
3:19
out trying to get his parents in
3:21
Southern California to know what had
3:23
transpired she gave them a call Mom it's
3:26
me Amanda she said to David's mother
3:28
when she answered the phone
3:30
have you heard anything about David and
3:31
the kids lately no Amanda I haven't
3:35
David's mother Margaret responded
3:37
everything is fine no Amanda responded
3:41
yesterday late at night I returned home
3:43
and they were no longer there I assumed
3:45
they had gone out to dinner but they
3:46
didn't return home I tried to call David
3:50
but received a message that his number
3:51
was no longer in service I don't know
3:54
what to tell you perhaps you should
3:56
report them missing to the police
3:57
Margaret suggested after the
4:00
conversation was over she said I will do
4:02
so thank you and went to the kitchen for
4:05
a cup of coffee then she noticed
4:07
something odd an envelope with David's
4:10
ring on top terrified she opened the
4:13
envelope and took out a piece of paper a
4:15
typewritten note from David she then sat
4:17
down with a cup of coffee and read the
4:19
note Amanda the note started I'm leaving
4:23
in case you haven't worked it out yet
4:24
the kids are with me and everything is
4:26
good you obviously didn't remember that
4:28
Friday was our 15 th wedding
4:30
anniversary I'm genuinely not surprised
4:33
that you chose to spend it with Mark
4:34
Thompson instead of me of course you
4:36
have previously missed several
4:38
significant family occasions it seems
4:40
that you were unaware that Ethan turned
4:42
13 last month I informed him that you
4:45
couldn't leave since you were too busy
4:47
at work I'm aware of course that you
4:49
were actually with Thompson for Olivia's
4:51
birthday 3 months earlier you did the
4:53
same thing when she discovered that you
4:56
prioritized your lover over her she was
4:58
devastated do you recall how 2 months
5:01
ago Ethan was hurt playing football at
5:03
school yes you were with Thompson so you
5:06
didn't bother taking care of him I was
5:08
informed by the school that when they
5:09
attempted to reach you they were told
5:11
that you were in a meeting to my
5:13
amazement the private investigator
5:15
revealed to me that Thompson and you
5:17
were in fact together at the Hilton that
5:19
afternoon yes the kids and I have both
5:22
been aware of your continued
5:24
relationship with Thompson for a while
5:26
I'm also aware of the alleged conference
5:28
you attended in New York and the
5:30
upcoming Cruise you and Thompson intend
5:32
to take later this year you won't have
5:34
to lie to me about it anymore so don't
5:36
worry I made the decision to act
5:38
independently since you had decided that
5:40
Thompson was more important than your
5:42
family I thought maybe we might work
5:44
things out if you ended your
5:46
relationship with him and became my wife
5:48
and the mother of our children once more
5:51
however you decided not to it's my time
5:54
now that you've been essentially absent
5:56
for the past few months the kids have
5:58
left and will stay with me me since you
6:00
don't seem to care about them I'm
6:02
leaving you will receive the divorce
6:04
documents at your workplace early next
6:06
week yes since it's legal in this state
6:09
I am filing on grounds of adultery since
6:12
it is legal in our state to sue for
6:14
alienation of affection I am also suing
6:17
Mark for that offense it doesn't matter
6:19
whether I don't get much or anything at
6:21
all the principle is what counts you see
6:25
I teach the children that making poor
6:26
decisions has consequences I'm
6:29
requesting in custody of the kids since
6:30
you put your lover before them and left
6:32
them with me three or four evenings a
6:34
week while you were with Thompson since
6:36
you earn a nice living you might also
6:38
have to pay child support please refrain
6:41
from requesting spousal support I will
6:43
not prevent you from seeing your kids
6:46
but you will need to obtain a passport
6:47
and cover your own expenses we are
6:51
Australia as you can see I accepted the
6:54
position and we'll spend the next 5
6:56
years or more running our company's
6:57
activities there I was hoping Hing to
6:59
tell you about this wonderful news but
7:02
you decided to spend your evenings with
7:04
Thompson as usual so I was never able to
7:06
tell you about my promotion a signed
7:09
letter of resignation is also located in
7:11
my desk's top drawer the house and half
7:14
of our bills are mine to leave to you
7:17
everything no longer has my name on it
7:19
it is all yours have fun by the way you
7:22
might become the next big thing on the
7:24
internet if you choose to fight the
7:25
divorce you will receive a package with
7:28
your resignation letter that includes
7:30
many fairly graphic pictures of you and
7:32
Thompson together I have many hours of
7:34
footage that I captured of you both
7:37
these are just a few excerpts I wish I
7:39
could claim that the past 15 years have
7:41
been amazing but I can't yes the first
7:44
13 or so were quite good and I tried my
7:47
best to give you all my love obviously
7:49
though that wasn't sufficient for you
7:51
you have been aloof and unresponsive to
7:53
my attempts to win you back over the
7:55
past year or so merely providing weak
7:58
justifications for your fre qu absences
8:01
I haven't had any intimacy with you in a
8:03
while as you may have noticed to be
8:05
honest I was uncomfortable with the idea
8:07
of getting a few careless moments from
8:08
you I guess you assumed that since I
8:11
never made an attempt to physically stop
8:13
you I didn't mind what you did I'm just
8:16
not wired that way so you know I would
8:18
never physically bother you or give you
8:21
instructions but in all honesty you have
8:23
hurt me more than you realize and I will
8:26
always be unable to get past this so
8:29
please don't bother with the platitudes
8:30
and excuses you should be aware that I
8:33
never once considered cheating on you
8:35
during the entire time we were together
8:38
you have always come first in my life
8:40
and I've always been there for you and
8:42
the kids however you haven't spent the
8:45
last 8 months with any of us it's we who
8:48
are The Forgotten ones now I hope you
8:50
found it worthwhile keep your distance
8:53
from me and the kids I'll let them get
8:55
in touch with you if they so choose
8:57
however I must caution you that they are
8:59
currently not very pleased with you
9:01
please use my lawyer whose business card
9:04
is in this envelope if you have anything
9:06
to tell me goodbye Amanda the letter end
9:10
dead simply signed David tears welling
9:13
up in Amanda's eyes she folded it up and
9:15
returned it to the envelope setting
9:17
aside David's lawyer's business card on
9:19
the table and pledging to call on Monday
9:22
taking out her cell phone she called
9:23
Mark who picked up after the second ring
9:26
what action did he take when she
9:28
revealed what David had done Mark
9:30
erupted in Rage that son of a you told
9:34
me he didn't mind what you did he
9:36
exclaimed now they're all gone I was
9:38
pretty sure he knew but he never tried
9:40
to stop me she remarked how should I
9:42
proceed it's me she cried would you like
9:46
me to come over he inquired please she
9:49
pleaded ignoring the man parked in a
9:52
plain vehicle a short distance down the
9:53
street Mark approached the house thanks
9:56
Mom David remarked after his mother had
9:59
concluded her conversation with Amanda
10:01
she gave him a hug and added you're
10:04
welcome son tell me you'll give me a
10:06
call when you get to Melbourne I'll do
10:08
so Mom he told her a part of David
10:12
missed Amanda but he was also relieved
10:14
to be rid of her after all she had
10:17
betrayed him for 8 months with Thompson
10:19
and now it was all over it's time to
10:22
start all over again he thought as the
10:24
three of them headed to the airport for
10:26
the children this was the beginning of a
10:29
but for David it was the end of a
10:32
15-year chapter in his life the next
10:35
Monday as promised Amanda received
10:37
divorce papers at work the process
10:39
server made sure to state that the
10:41
grounds for the divorce were neglect and
10:43
adultery and Amanda felt her face flush
10:45
with shame when her co-workers saw her
10:48
after learning that Mark Thompson was
10:50
being sued for alienation of affection
10:52
Amanda contacted David's lawyer who told
10:55
her to sign the papers or find another
10:57
attorney after cons ING with a few
10:59
attorneys she was informed that David's
11:02
offer was reasonable considering the
11:04
circumstances so she signed and sent the
11:06
documents back to David's attorney
11:08
meanwhile David had moved into his new
11:11
Melbourne apartment and while it took
11:13
the kids a while to get used to their
11:14
new home they loved it David was
11:17
interested to read the email from his
11:19
lawyer which stated that although Amanda
11:21
had signed the papers she was not happy
11:24
that Mark had moved into his old house
11:27
well he reasoned it was only a matter of
11:29
time before this happened Amanda was
11:32
ordered to pay a little amount of Child
11:34
Support which she did David didn't
11:37
really need the extra money so he put it
11:39
into a college fund for the kids and the
11:41
divorce was quickly finalized because
11:43
Amanda didn't contest it an outof Court
11:46
settlement between Thompson and David's
11:48
attorney resulted in the money being put
11:50
into a college fund for the
11:52
children over the course of the next two
11:54
years Amanda wrote short letters and
11:57
Christmas cards to each of the children
11:59
from these letters David discovered that
12:01
she had sold the house and married Mark
12:03
who later cheated on her David searched
12:06
online and discovered that the woman
12:08
Mark was dating was married and her
12:10
husband was not happy about being
12:12
betrayed which led to both of them being
12:14
harmed with the husband winding up in
12:16
prison David was not surprised at all he
12:20
wasn't surprised when Amanda kept saying
12:21
she would visit the kids but she never
12:23
did the kids soon started to laugh at
12:26
her promises calling them nothing more
12:28
than smoke and mirrors eventually
12:30
postcards and letters stopped coming all
12:32
together and after 3 years they stopped
12:35
coming at all in contrast David Fell in
12:38
Love with Sarah a stunning blonde who
12:41
had come to Melbourne 5 years prior
12:43
after her husband had left her for
12:44
another woman they dated for nearly a
12:47
year before he made the
12:49
proposal David are you certain about
12:51
this you know that I can't have children
12:54
and that's what caused my first husband
12:56
to leave she questioned your first
12:58
husband was was an idiot he replied I've
13:01
never been so sure of anything in my
13:03
life I love you madly and I want to
13:05
spend the rest of my life with you he
13:07
declared she said I want to spend the
13:10
rest of my life with you David and I
13:12
love you madly too however what about
13:15
your kids as their stepmother will they
13:18
accept me well let's ask them David
13:22
stated David and Sarah were with the
13:24
kids in his apartment the following day
13:27
guys I asked Sarah to marry me because I
13:29
fell in love with her he said however
13:32
I'm curious about your thoughts on this
13:35
are you going to embrace her as your
13:37
stepmother absolutely not Olivia
13:39
responded which made Sarah Flinch in
13:42
disbelief David asked his surprised
13:44
daughter why not he inquired Ethan
13:47
answered because we don't want her to be
13:49
our stepmother Dad she should become our
13:52
mother Olivia added is that accurate do
13:55
you want me to be your mother Sarah
13:57
inquired but what about your birth
13:59
mother she gave up on us a long time ago
14:02
so you'll have to become our mom if you
14:04
want to marry dad ready to take on this
14:06
task Olivia asked with tears streaming
14:09
down her cheeks Sarah responded of
14:12
course as she gathered the kids into an
14:14
Embrace after giving David a startled
14:16
glance I would love to be your mother
14:19
several months later David and Sarah
14:21
were married in a small outdoor ceremony
14:24
Olivia was the maid of honor and Ethan
14:26
was the best man 5 years later the whole
14:30
family returned to the United States for
14:31
a brief visit after a quick stop in
14:34
Southern California where David
14:36
introduced Sarah to his parents they
14:38
flew to Denver where David was scheduled
14:40
to meet with his boss and the board of
14:42
directors before heading back to
14:44
Australia they had just checked into the
14:46
hotel when David heard a familiar voice
14:49
so they stopped and went toward the
14:51
elevator David is that you there he
14:54
heard a woman's voice David turned to
14:57
see his ex-wife Amanda approaching them
14:59
she appeared to have aged 20 years since
15:01
he last saw her she was Slender with
15:04
gray splotches in her hair aanda he
15:07
inquired she said yes it's me who are
15:11
these people will you not be Introducing
15:13
Me pointing at Sarah and the children
15:15
she questioned even your own children
15:17
are beyond recognition those you haven't
15:20
even said hello to in the past few years
15:23
those you haven't even said hello to in
15:24
the past few years David replied she
15:27
said oh my God you look so healthy and
15:30
you've grown so much who is this young
15:32
woman then she gestured to Sarah and
15:34
asked this is our mother Ethan proudly
15:37
remarked his voice carrying a hint of an
15:40
Australian accent her name is Sarah
15:42
Olivia said now she is our mother David
15:46
could not contain his smile your mother
15:49
Amanda stepped back in shock Amanda
15:52
inquired but I'm your mom no Ethan
15:56
replied you gave birth to us but you
15:58
stopped being our mother a long time ago
16:00
around the same time you stopped being
16:02
Daddy's wife an elderly man in a suit
16:05
approached Amanda as she appeared to be
16:07
about to pass out Amanda are you okay he
16:11
asked she shook her head and tears
16:13
rolled down her cheeks the man supported
16:15
her and helped her sit down then looked
16:17
at David Sarah and the children who are
16:20
you people what did you do to her he
16:23
inquired we were just passing by David
16:26
replied all we did was remind her of
16:28
something she once had but threw away
16:31
and you who are you Carl Williams the
16:34
man extended his hand to introduce
16:36
himself I take it your Amanda's fianceé
16:39
David inquired yes Carl answered well
16:43
David replied I hope you have better
16:45
luck with her than I did were you her
16:47
first husband Carl asked yes David
16:51
replied I see Carl responded she told me
16:54
about you and the kids have you heard
16:56
what happened from her David retorted
16:58
she said she made the biggest mistake of
17:00
her life like I said good luck to you
17:04
yes and it only cost her whole family
17:05
David remarked you'll need it I'll see
17:09
friend after saying this David Sarah and
17:12
the kids left Amanda sobbing and went to
17:14
their rooms is that really your first
17:17
wife Sarah inquired as they walked
17:20
upstairs yes replied David and if you
17:23
ask me I definitely upgraded she smiled
17:26
and said yes you did and don't you