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00:00My past choices led me to hell. If I could choose again, would the outcome be different?
00:09The day my Harvard acceptance letter arrived, everyone expected me to frame it.
00:14Mounted on the wall like a trophy. Proof that Liam Vance had finally made it.
00:17Instead, I declined the offer and enrolled at MIT.
00:20It wasn't impulse. It wasn't rebellion. It was survival. Because I rewrote.
00:26In Last Life, accepting Harvard meant becoming the perfect husband for Serafina.
00:31If you hadn't gone to Harvard, my family never would have chosen you.
00:35And my love wouldn't have drowned his heartbreak.
00:38At that club, they wouldn't have found him dead in some back room servicing strangers for pills.
00:43You stole his place, so you'll pay with your life.
00:47She deliberately had a miscarriage that night.
00:49The reason was that she didn't want to have a child with me.
00:51She felt disgusted. I died at the same night.
00:54Then, I woke up.
00:56Eighteen years old. Acceptance letters scattered across my desk.
01:00The same day.
01:03Liam, the deadline's tonight. Harvard's waiting.
01:06You're really going to make them sweat?
01:08I ended the call and stared at the MIT enrollment form on my laptop screen.
01:12Different path, different future.
01:14No Serafina.
01:16Liam!
01:16It's me snock in Danford.
01:18Tell me you've confirmed Harvard.
01:19Please! I need to hear you say it!
01:21Seeing mom now, alive, whole, not beaten to death by Hawthorne security, made my throat close.
01:27In that other life, seeing what Serafina had done, when she lunged at the woman who butchered her son, the
01:32Hawthorne guards hadn't hesitated.
01:37I'm going to MIT, mom.
01:39The research programs align better with my focus.
01:42Cybersecurity architecture, AI ethics, systems integrity.
01:45No, you're going to Harvard.
01:48Do you understand me?
01:49When you fall, you get back up where you fell.
01:52I taught you that.
01:53My blood went cold.
01:54She remembers.
01:56She reborn, too.
01:57I was just about to ask my mother if she had been reborn, when a sound suddenly came from the
02:03living room.
02:03My father's voice boomed through the house.
02:05Julian, come on in, son.
02:07Let me grab you something to drink.
02:08Followed by a second set of footsteps.
02:11Lighter.
02:11Deliberate.
02:12Julian Vance.
02:13Not my brother by blood.
02:15Not really.
02:15But my father, decorated veteran and self-made businessman, had adopted him at 13 after his father.
02:21Dad's army buddy died in combat.
02:23Except Julian's father hadn't died in combat.
02:26He died of a heart attack in a motel with his mistress.
02:29But my father had needed a redemption arc more than he needed the truth.
02:33Julian walked over with a smile.
02:35He clasped my shoulder.
02:37Liam, Dad wants to talk to you about Harvard.
02:40He's really proud, man.
02:42Two spots.
02:43Harvard only takes two from Riverside Prep.
02:46And this year, it's a miracle we got that many.
02:48Liam, you're going to withdraw your acceptance.
02:52My mother stiffened.
02:54Excuse me?
02:57But this time, I won't be the pawn.
03:00I'll rewrite every wrong thing.
03:02In my past life, Julian took everything from me.
03:05In this life, I will never repeat the same mistake.
03:08The air in this house was never mine to breathe.
03:10It always belonged to him.
03:12Julian needs this.
03:15His father gave his life for this country.
03:17For me, the least we can do is make sure his son has every advantage.
03:22He thought I had endless options.
03:24Liam's smart.
03:25He'll land on his feet.
03:26MIT, Stanford, whatever.
03:29But Harvard, that's Julia's spot.
03:31And the Hawthorne family is looking for a Harvard man to marry their daughter.
03:35That's his future, not Liam's.
03:37I tried to speak up.
03:39He earned his acceptance.
03:41And Julian earned our loyalty.
03:43Do you have any idea what it's like to owe someone your life?
03:47His father took a bullet meant for me.
03:51So yes, Elena, Julian gets the girl, the school, and the life.
03:56That's not negotiable.
04:00I didn't fight with words.
04:02I fought with proof.
04:03I found the photo.
04:04The one that broke their little lie.
04:07I held up the truth, plain and simple.
04:12They'd been together for months, hidden in plain sight.
04:20They've been together for months, so it doesn't matter where I go.
04:23I'm not in the running.
04:24He played the victim, like always.
04:26Liam, I know you had feelings for Sarah.
04:28But she sees you as a friend.
04:30A brother, even.
04:32You need to let her go.
04:34Actually, I'm late.
04:36We're catching a movie.
04:37Dad, you coming?
04:38I'll drive you.
04:42Julian and my father walked out the door guiltily, without looking back.
04:49You coward.
04:51I thought getting a second chance meant you'd be smarter.
04:55Faster.
04:57You're still the same pathetic boy who let them walk all over him.
05:01In my last life, I believed her and lost everything.
05:05In this life, I will take back everything.
05:08I should have known it wouldn't be that simple.
05:10That night, I woke to the sound of my bedroom door clicking open.
05:14My father stood silhouetted in the hallway light.
05:16Behind him, Serafina.
05:19What the hell?
05:20But they were already at my desk.
05:22My laptop glowed.
05:24Serafina's finger hovered over the keyboard.
05:26Don't you dare!
05:27My father caught me in a bear hug, pinning my arms.
05:33She's doing you a favor, son.
05:35Trust me.
05:36That's my MIT enrollment!
05:37Serafina clicked a delete.
05:39I went numb.
05:41Serafina.
05:42Why?
05:43She didn't even look at me.
05:45Just reached down and unplugged the laptop, lifting it by the screen.
05:49What are you-
05:49If I leave the computer intact, you'll find a way to re-enroll.
05:53I won't make that mistake.
05:55She raised the laptop above her head.
05:56No, no, no!
05:57Please!
05:58It shattered against the hardwood.
06:00Glass and circuitry exploded across the floor.
06:03I stopped fighting.
06:05My father released me, and I collapsed to my knees, staring at the wreckage.
06:10You knew I picked MIT.
06:12I told you this morning.
06:13Serafina crouched in front of me.
06:15And for the first time, I saw her eyes.
06:17Empty flat.
06:19She'd reborn, too.
06:20You said a lot of things last time.
06:23You said you didn't want me.
06:25You said you weren't interested.
06:27But the first night we were together, you were at my door before I'd even finished unpacking.
06:32Serafina, your roommate drugged me.
06:34You know that.
06:35She wanted to humiliate me at the party, and I came to you because I trusted-
06:40She spoke softly, but her words were like a knife.
06:43Liar.
06:43Cutting through all my defenses.
06:46You manipulated me from day one.
06:48Played hard to get so I'd chase you, and the moment you had me, you ruined everything.
06:54She turned to Julian, who'd appeared in the doorway.
06:57It's done, baby.
06:58He can't threaten you anymore.
06:59Julian's smile was small.
07:01Wait!
07:02My mind raced.
07:04Serafina, I'm not trying to come between you two.
07:07I want you to be together.
07:09Just let me go.
07:10I'll transfer schools, move across the country, whatever you need.
07:13You really think it's that simple?
07:17Did you think I'd forget what you did to Julian in Last Life?
07:20How you let him die?
07:22I already paid for that.
07:24I died.
07:26Not enough.
07:28Her whisper was a blade.
07:29I'm gonna make you watch Julian and me build the life you stole from him.
07:34And you?
07:35You're going to spend every day in hell.
07:40Oh, and before I deleted your enrollment, I submitted a formal withdrawal letter to MIT on your behalf,
07:46citing personal reasons and a commitment to Harvard.
07:50Congrats, Liam.
07:52You're going to be a Hawthorne after all.
07:54They locked me in my room after that.
07:56Took my phone.
07:57My laptop.
07:58Even the old iPad I kept in my desk drawer.
08:01For three days, I was a prisoner in my own house.
08:03But they didn't know about the backup phone taped under my bed frame.
08:06The one I'd bought with cash the day I woke up reborn because some paranoid part of me knew they'd
08:12try this.
08:12I powered it on and opened my email.
08:14One unread message from MIT admissions subject.
08:18Enrollment confirmed.
08:20Dear Liam Vance, welcome to MIT.
08:22Your enrollment in the computer science and engineering program has been finalized.
08:26We look forward to seeing you at orientation on the 1st of September.
08:30I closed my eyes, exhaling for what felt like the first time in days.
08:34The system Serafina had accessed wasn't real.
08:36I built a dummy server the day I got the acceptance letter.
08:39A perfect replica of MIT's enrollment portal.
08:42If anyone tried to tamper with my decision, they'd be deleting a ghost.
08:46The real enrollment had gone through the morning.
08:48I woke up in this timeline.
08:50I texted my best friend Marcus.
08:52I need you to grab my dorm stuff and meet me at South Station Day before move-in.
08:56I'll explain later.
08:57His reply came in seconds.
08:59Dude, what did you do?
09:01Escaped.
09:01Move-in day.
09:02I waited until my mother left for her book club.
09:05And my father took Julian shopping for his dorm at Langford College.
09:08The private liberal arts school.
09:10Serafina's family had paid to accept him after his 140 sat score.
09:17Picked the bedroom lock in 20 minutes.
09:19Walked out the front door and didn't look back.
09:22Took the subway to South Station.
09:23The train to Boston pulled away from the platform and I watched my childhood disappear through the window.
09:28For the first time since I'd woken up in this nightmare, I let myself breathe.
09:33I dozed off somewhere around Providence.
09:35When I woke up, something felt wrong.
09:37The train had stopped.
09:38But we weren't at South Station.
09:40I looked out the window and my blood turned to ice.
09:43We were at a private rail platform.
09:45Sleek.
09:46Modern.
09:47The kind of place you only accessed with a key card and a seven-figure bank account.
09:51And standing on the platform, arms crossed, was my mother.
09:55She smiled when she saw me.
09:57Liam.
09:59You're awake.
10:01Perfect timing.
10:02The train doors hissed open and two men in black suits.
10:05It's a depth aboard.
10:06Mrs. Vance.
10:07The taller one nodded.
10:08We'll take him from here.
10:10Wait.
10:10Mom, what is this?
10:11She leaned into the train, her smile bright.
10:14The Hawthorns are very excited to meet their future son-in-law, sweetheart.
10:19Serafina's been asking about you.
10:21I'm not.
10:22I don't want...
10:23You're 18.
10:24You're brilliant.
10:26And you're exactly what the Hawthorn family looks for in a match.
10:30She stepped back as the men hauled me to my feet.
10:34You can't do this!
10:35I can, and I am.
10:37The Hawthorn estate is lovely this time of year.
10:40You'll see.
10:42I woke up in a bed.
10:44I'd been here before.
10:45In last life, I'd spent four years in these guest quarters after the wedding.
10:50Four years walking on eggshells, trying to be the son-in-law they'd chosen.
10:55Four years watching Julian from across dinner tables, his hand always finding Serafina's under the linen.
11:01While I played the oblivious husband, four years that ended with me hanging from a beam in the east wing.
11:06The door opened.
11:07My mother rushed in, beaming.
11:10She sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing my hair like I was five.
11:14Liam!
11:15Oh, thank God.
11:16I was worried you'd sleep through the whole thing.
11:19The Hawthorns reviewed your academic record.
11:21Your awards.
11:22That cyber-turity patent you filed last year.
11:24They're so impressed.
11:25You're exactly the kind of man they want for Serafina.
11:27The engagement party starts in an hour.
11:29After Serafina graduates, you'll get married.
11:32Isn't this perfect?
11:33Everything we've worked...
11:34I'm not marrying her.
11:37Then my father's voice, low and furious from the doorway.
11:40The hell you're not!
11:42He crossed the room in three strides and backhanded me so hard I saw stars.
11:47Do you have any idea what the Hawthorns are offering?
11:50A position in their company.
11:52A seat at tables most people would kill to access.
11:54And you're gonna throw a tantrum like a child?
11:57I tasted blood.
11:59I don't want their company.
12:00Well, Julian wants Serafina.
12:02He's been crying for three hours, Liam.
12:04His eyes are swollen shut.
12:05You're gonna get your ass downstairs and apologize to him.
12:08My mother stepped between us.
12:09If the Hawthorns see bruises on him before the engagement photos, it'll ruin everything.
12:13Stop!
12:13My father released me with a shove.
12:15But you will apologize.
12:17They dragged me to Julian's suite.
12:18He was curled on a chaise lounge.
12:20Face buried in a cashmere throw pillow, shoulders shaking with perfectly timed sobs.
12:25My father rushed to his side.
12:26Buddy, talk to me.
12:29Julian lifted his head.
12:30Eyes red, rimmed and glistening.
12:32I just thought maybe if I was good enough, she'd choose me.
12:35But Liam's smarter, better.
12:36A fresh wave of tears.
12:37My father whirled on me.
12:40Say something!
12:41I looked at Julian at the calculated grief.
12:43The performance.
12:45Everyone out.
12:47My mother started to protest.
12:48Out.
12:49Now.
12:51Or I swear to God, I'll walk into that engagement party and tell the Hawthorns exactly what kind
12:56of family they're marrying into.
12:59The door slammed behind them.
13:02Julian dropped the act immediately.
13:04Wow.
13:05You actually grew a spine.
13:07So, what now?
13:09You threaten me?
13:11Try to convince me to let you go?
13:12I don't want Serafina.
13:14You do.
13:14We both know that.
13:15So here's the deal.
13:16You help me get out of here, and you get her.
13:18Clean trade.
13:20You're serious.
13:21He tilted his head, considering.
13:23I'm going to MIT.
13:24She's going to Harvard.
13:25Our lives don't have to intersect.
13:27You want her?
13:28Take her.
13:28I won't fight you for her.
13:30For a moment, I thought he'd agree.
13:32Then he smiled.
13:33You know what?
13:34Sure.
13:34He pulled out his phone, texting rapidly.
13:36A moment later, he stood.
13:38Come on.
13:39I know a way out.
13:40We took a service corridor through the east wing.
13:43There's a gate by the gardens.
13:45Staff entrance.
13:46No cameras.
13:47Ten minutes, and you're on the main road.
13:49We stepped outside into the summer heat.
13:51The gate was 50 feet ahead.
13:53Freedom.
13:56Julian stopped walking.
13:59Liam?
14:02I turned.
14:03He was staring at me, his expression unreadable.
14:07His voice was soft.
14:08I need you to understand something.
14:10In another life, you had everything.
14:13The girl.
14:14The company.
14:15The legacy.
14:15And you still acted like you were doing me a favor by existing.
14:19His hand shot out.
14:20Shoved him.
14:21Hard.
14:22I stumbled backward.
14:24Directly into the path of a delivery truck barreling through the estate gates.
14:28Great squint.
14:33The world was white.
14:35And the last thing I saw was Julian's face.
14:39Smiling.
14:40Hands grabbed me.
14:41Pulled me back from the edge of oblivion.
14:43I hit the pavement hard, someone's body cushioning my fall.
14:46The truck's horn blared as it swerved past, missing us by inches.
14:50I gasped for air, blinking away stars.
14:54Serafina's face hovered above mine.
14:56For a split second, I saw something in her eyes that looked like fear.
14:59Like she'd actually been terrified of losing me.
15:02She rolled off me.
15:04Already on her feet.
15:05What the hell happened?
15:07I looked past her to where Julian stood frozen, his expression a perfect mask of horror.
15:12He stumbled forward, cradling his right hand.
15:16Long scratches ran down the back of it, welling with blood.
15:20Serafina.
15:21Thank God you got to him in time.
15:22Liam said he needed air.
15:24I was walking with him and he just...
15:26He grabbed my hand and pushed himself toward the truck.
15:29I tried to pull him back, but...
15:30His voice broke.
15:31He scratched me when I wouldn't let go.
15:33At the blood under his fingernails on his left hand, the hand he'd used to shove me.
15:38That's not what...
15:39Serafina's palm cracked across my face.
15:42You bastard.
15:44I agreed to this engagement.
15:46I'm giving you everything you asked for.
15:49And you try to kill yourself in front of me?
15:52What kind of sick game is this?
15:54I didn't ask for any of this.
15:57But Julian was already pulling away, stumbling toward the main house.
16:00Sarah, I'm sorry. I... I know I'm just a foster kid.
16:03Just some orphan who doesn't belong here.
16:05I'll pack my things.
16:07Julian, wait!
16:08I should have died with my dad.
16:09Then none of this would be happening.
16:11Then you and Liam could be happy without me in the way!
16:14Serafina caught his arm.
16:15You're not going anywhere.
16:17But Liam clearly doesn't want me here.
16:19I don't care what Liam wants.
16:21Something shifted in her expression.
16:23Something cold and final.
16:25She snapped her fingers.
16:27And two security guards materialized from the shadows.
16:31Take Liam to the medical suite.
16:33Now.
16:34Panic spiked through me.
16:35Her voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear.
16:38You really thought I'd just let you leave?
16:40That I'd forget what you did to Julian in last life?
16:42How you let him suffer while you built your empire on his grave?
16:46The engagement's still happening.
16:48The wedding will happen when I graduate.
16:49But you...
16:50Her smile was a razor.
16:53You don't deserve to be a father.
16:56Not after what you did to our child before.
17:00My blood turned to ice.
17:03Serafina, what are you talking about?
17:04The baby.
17:05She hissed.
17:06The one you begged me to abort because it would complicate your career trajectory.
17:10The one I kept anyway because I loved you.
17:13The one that Julian helped me mourn after you...
17:16That's not what happened!
17:18Enough!
17:20Take him to the surgical seat.
17:22I want him castrated.
17:23Completely.
17:23He won't need those parts where he's going.
17:25The guards grabbed my arms.
17:26You can't drape this shit!
17:28You can't do this!
17:29I thrashed, fighting with everything I had.
17:32Your mother signed the consent forms.
17:34She's betting her shares in Hawthorne Medical on this marriage going through.
17:37So yes, Liam.
17:38I can do this.
17:40And I will.
17:41They dragged me inside.
17:43The medical suite was state-of-the-art.
17:45Sterile white walls.
17:46Gleaming equipment.
17:48Monitors beeping softly.
17:50No anesthesia.
17:51They strapped me to an operating table.
17:53And I watched a man in surgical scrubs lay out instruments with the detached efficiency of someone who'd done this
17:57before.
17:58Serafina stood in the doorway.
18:00Arms crossed.
18:01Behind her, a wall of security guards blocked any hope of escape.
18:04Last chance.
18:05Tell me you'll be the husband I need.
18:07That you'll stop fighting.
18:08That you'll give Julian the respect he deserves.
18:11I looked at her.
18:12This wasn't the girl who'd chased me through Harvard's libraries.
18:15This was something else.
18:17Something broken and vicious and obsessed.
18:19You're going to regret this.
18:22Serafina walked slowly over to my side.
18:26I'm not the one strapped to a table.
18:32The surgeon pulled on gloves.
18:34Picked up a scalpel.
18:38My heart hammered against my ribs.
18:42Serafina, please.
18:44I'll leave.
18:45I'll disappear.
18:46You'll never see me again.
18:48And let you run off to MIT?
18:49Let you build the life that should have been Julian's?
18:52No.
18:52Your mother made her bet.
18:54She traded Hawthorne medical shares to guarantee you'd be my husband.
18:57So you're stuck.
18:59But you don't get to be a man anymore.
19:01Not after everything you've done.
19:02The surgeon positioned the blade.
19:04I squeezed my eyes shut.
19:06Think.
19:07Think.
19:08The federal investigation.
19:09The evidence I'd compiled the moment I woke up in this timeline.
19:13The encryption key sitting in my backup phone.
19:15Linked to a dead man's switch that would trigger if I didn't check in every 12 hours.
19:20I opened my eyes.
19:23Check your phone, Sera.
19:27What?
19:28Your phone.
19:30Check it.
19:31Now.
19:33She pulled it out.
19:35Irritation flickering across her face.
19:37And froze.
19:38The color drained from her cheeks.
19:41What did you do?
19:43Breaking.
19:44Federal investigation launched into Hawthorne Medical.
19:48She looked at me.
19:49Eyes wide.
19:52How?
19:53You thought I'd just roll over?
19:55I smiled.
19:56Tasting blood.
19:57He'd been trapped in this living nightmare.
19:59But he wasn't defenseless.
20:01Not even close.
20:04I've had weeks to prepare.
20:06Every shady deal.
20:07Every bribed inspector.
20:08Every falsified safety report.
20:10I documented it all.
20:12Sent it to the feds.
20:14The day after I woke up in this nightmare.
20:15Every dirty secret of Hawthorne Medical was locked away in his hands.
20:19The company!
20:19Is about to collapse.
20:22Your father, the CFO, three board members.
20:25They're probably in handcuffs right now.
20:27You want to castrate me?
20:29Fine.
20:30But it won't change the fact that Hawthorne Medical is finished.
20:34You're blowing up Ditting Sint!
20:36You're blowing up my family's legacy out of spite!
20:40I'm exposing criminals.
20:43Those falsified safety reports?
20:45They were for medical devices.
20:46Pacemakers.
20:47Insulin pumps.
20:48People died because your family cut corners to inflate their profit margins.
20:52This isn't about you and me, Seraflina.
20:54This is about doing the right thing for once in my miserable life.
20:58She clung to the last bit of control she thought she had.
21:01It wouldn't give her an inch.
21:03No.
21:05Unlock it.
21:06Her threats were empty.
21:07No.
21:09Unlock it or I swear to God!
21:11The message on the screen shattered her entire world.
21:15MIT admissions.
21:16Liam, we noticed you haven't confirmed your housing assignment.
21:19You're still registered for the fall semester.
21:21Please respond by EDM to secure your dorm placement.
21:24She realized she was wrong.
21:26You never withdrew.
21:27I looked confident.
21:29That server you accessed?
21:30I built it in six hours.
21:32You deleted a ghost, Sera.
21:33I set a trap for her.
21:35That she never expected.
21:36I've been enrolled at MIT since the day I woke up.
21:39You planned this.
21:40All of it!
21:41I told you the truth from the beginning.
21:44I don't this.
21:46I don't want you.
21:47I don't want your family.
21:48I don't want this life.
21:50But none of you would listen.
21:51Stop!
21:52Stop!
21:52She finally backed down, her control slipping away.
21:56She needed proof, desperate to deny what he'd say.
22:02She scrolled through every message, hoping to find a lie.
22:06Then, she found it.
22:08The final proof is true.
22:13What have you done?
22:15What you forced me to do.
22:16I gave you every chance to let me go.
22:19You chose this.
22:20Her family fell apart.
22:22I am the winner of this game.
22:25They let me go.
22:26Not out of mercy.
22:28Out of panic.
22:29Hawthorne Estate descended into chaos as news crews gathered outside the gates, and federal
22:35agents executed search warrants.
22:37I walked out the front door in the same clothes I'd arrived in.
22:41Nobody stopping me.
22:42My parents were waiting in the circular driveway.
22:45My father looked ten years older.
22:47My mother's perfect makeup was streaked with tears.
22:50Fix this.
22:52Dad's voice shook.
22:54Call the FBI.
22:55Tell them it was a mistake.
22:57No.
22:58Those board members were embezzling.
23:00Fine.
23:01But the family business.
23:03You're destroying everything.
23:07Those board members signed off on devices that killed people.
23:10I kept walking toward the gate.
23:12I'm not taking it back.
23:14My mother grabbed my arm.
23:16Liam, please.
23:17If Hawthorne Medical falls, we lose everything.
23:21The house.
23:22My social standing.
23:24Your father's investment.
23:26You should have thought about it before you sold me to them.
23:30I pulled free and kept walking.
23:32Behind me, my father's voice cracked.
23:34We gave you everything.
23:37You gave Julian everything.
23:40You gave me expectations.
23:42I didn't look back.
23:43A week later, I was sitting in a dean's office at MIT when my phone started blowing up.
23:48The first message was from Marcus, dude.
23:50Twitter.
23:51Now.
23:52I opened the app.
23:54Number Serafina Hawthorne was trending.
23:55The top tweet was a video.
23:57Posted one hour ago.
23:59Already three million views.
24:01I clicked play.
24:02The camera was shaky.
24:03Pointed at a laptop screen.
24:05Someone had leaked internal Hawthorne medical documents.
24:08The real ones.
24:10Not sanitized for the board.
24:12Test results showing their flagship pacemaker had a 12% failure rate.
24:15Emails discussing how to manage the PR of patient deaths.
24:19Financial records showing millions funneled to offshore accounts.
24:24And then the camera panned to show Serafina herself, sitting in what looked like a dorm room, reading from a
24:29prepared statement.
24:30My name is Serafina Hawthorne, and I'm here to confess.
24:34Her voice was steady.
24:36Professional.
24:37The documents you're seeing are real.
24:40My family knowingly sold defective medical devices to hospitals across the country.
24:45We prioritized profit over patient safety.
24:49And when people died?
24:51Her voice caught.
24:52We buried it.
24:53She looked directly into the camera.
24:55I'm also here to expose another lie.
24:58The man my family chose to be my husband, Liam Vance, is not the villain they made him out to
25:05be.
25:06He's the one who reported us to the FBI.
25:09He's the one who that ganon'd.
25:11He's the one who tried to save lives.
25:12And I'm the one who tried to destroy him.
25:17For it.
25:17Down her cheek.
25:19The video ended.
25:20I stared at my phone.
25:21What?
25:23Is she doing?
25:24Another video appeared in my feed.
25:26This one was older, a photo collage with timestamps.
25:29Julian and Serafina at restaurants.
25:31His hand on her thigh.
25:32Her lips at his ear.
25:34All dated before the engagement party.
25:36The caption.
25:37The real reason Serafina wanted Liam gone.
25:39Someone had done a deep dive.
25:41Found receipts.
25:42Hotel records.
25:43Venmo transactions.
25:44The internet was eviscerating her.
25:46But that wasn't the worst part.
25:48The worst part was the fourth video.
25:50This one was a screen recording of a DNA test result.
25:53Julian Vance and Robert Vance.
25:55Probability of paternity.
25:5699.97%.
25:58My father and Julian were related.
26:01But Julian's supposed father, the war hero, was named Sebastian.
26:05The comments exploded.
26:07Wait.
26:07So the orphaned war hero's son was actually just his affair baby.
26:11This family is sick.
26:13How long was Robert lying about this?
26:18I called Marcus.
26:23Marcus, did you leak this?
26:26Hell no.
26:27But whoever did?
26:29They've got access to military records, hospital databases, and social media archives.
26:34This is a professional hit job.
26:36I hung up and immediately dialed the number I've been avoiding.
26:41Serafina picked up on the first ring.
26:45Did you do this?
26:48No, but I know who did.
26:51Julian.
26:52My blood went cold.
26:54Why would he-
26:55Because he's been playing us both from the beginning.
26:57He's the one who embezzled from Hawthorne Medical.
26:59He's the one who falsified those safety reports to skim money off contracts.
27:02I found the offshore accounts this morning.
27:04Ten million dollars, Liam.
27:05He stole ten million from my family and blamed it on the CFF.
27:09That's impossible.
27:10He's been doing it since he was 16.
27:12Since the first time I brought him home for dinner.
27:15He told me you were sabotaging his future.
27:18That you were jealous.
27:19That everything wrong in his life was because you existed.
27:23And you believed him.
27:27I loved him.
27:30Silence stretched between us.
27:36Where is he now?
27:38I asked.
27:40I don't know.
27:42After the DNA results dropped, he disappeared.
27:45The police have a warrant out, but-
27:47A new notification popped up on my phone.
27:50Check Instagram Live.
27:51Julian Vance.
27:52The live stream was already at 50,000 viewers when I clicked the link.
27:56The camera showed a room I recognized immediately.
27:59The east wing of the Hawthorne estate.
28:02The same room where I'd died in last life.
28:04Julian was tied to a chair in the center of the frame.
28:07Duct tape over his mouth.
28:09Eyes wide with terror.
28:11And standing behind him, holding a knife, was Serafina.
28:16Hello, everyone.
28:17I'm sure you've all seen the news by now.
28:19The investigations.
28:20The leaked documents.
28:22The DNA tests.
28:23What you don't know is the whole story.
28:25So let me fill in the gaps.
28:28My name is Serafina Hawthorne.
28:30And I'm a murderer.
28:31In another life, a timeline you wouldn't understand.
28:33I killed the man I was supposed to marry.
28:36His name was Liam Vance.
28:38I tortured him.
28:39Murdered him.
28:40I did this because I thought he'd stolen Julian's future.
28:43I thought he was the villain.
28:45But I was wrong.
28:46She stood, walking back to Julian.
28:47The real villain has been sitting in my house, eating my food, sleeping in my bed, whispering in my ear
28:50for eight years!
28:52Julian Vance.
28:54Born Julian Emerson is not a war hero's son.
28:57He's the elisimant child of Robert Vance and a woman named Claire Emerson, who died of an everdose when Julian
29:02was twelve.
29:02She pulled the tape off his mouth.
29:04Julian gasped.
29:06Serafina, please.
29:07Eyes streaming.
29:09Robert never served with anyone named Sebastian.
29:12He invented the story so he could bring his bastard son into his home without losing his wife's family money.
29:18I didn't know.
29:19I swear I didn't.
29:21Liar.
29:21She pressed the knife to his throat.
29:23You've been lying since the day we met.
29:25You told me Liam abused you.
29:27That he stole your toys, your food, your future.
29:31You showed me bruises and said he'd beat you.
29:34Julian was sobbing now.
29:35He did.
29:36Her voice went flat.
29:37He didn't.
29:38I checked the medical records.
29:40Every injury you ever had, self-inflicted.
29:44You burned yourself with cigarettes and said Liam did it.
29:47You cut yourself with kitchen knives and blamed him.
29:49No!
29:50You gas-lept an entire family.
29:52You made Robert choose you over his real son.
29:54You made me torture an innocent man.
29:56And you embezzled ten million dollars for my family's company.
29:59Money that could have funded real research.
30:01Saved real lives.
30:02The viewer count hit 250,000.
30:05Sarah, I love you.
30:07You love money.
30:09You never cared about me.
30:11You cared about what I represented.
30:13Access.
30:14Power.
30:15A way out of your pathetic life.
30:18She stood back, addressing the camera.
30:20In that other timeline,
30:23Julian told me Liam had killed him.
30:25Showed me a fake urn with pig bones inside and said Liam had murdered him out of jealousy.
30:31And I believed it.
30:34I spent six months planning Liam's death.
30:38I married him.
30:40Got pregnant with his child.
30:43And then I butchered him in this very room.
30:47But it was all a lie.
30:49Julian was alive.
30:51He'd faked his death to frame Liam.
30:54And by the time I realized the truth,
30:57By the time I realized,
30:59Liam was already gone.
31:01I can't undo what I did.
31:03I can't bring back the man I destroyed.
31:06But I can make sure Julian pays for every lie.
31:10Every manipulation.
31:12Every life he ruined.
31:14No.
31:15No.
31:16In that other life,
31:18I drove 73-3 of these through Liam's body.
31:22Sarah, please.
31:23One for every piece of our child I carved out.
31:28Sarah, please.
31:30She drove the pin through Julian's shoulder.
31:33That's one.
31:34I was already in the Uber.
31:369-1-1?
31:379-1?
31:38There's a live stream.
31:39Someone's being tortured.
31:40Sir, we're aware.
31:41Units are en route.
31:43This one's for the 10 million you stole.
31:46Another scream.
31:47The chat was going insane.
31:50Serafina, stop.
31:51My voice cracked,
31:52even though she couldn't hear me.
31:53Don't do this.
31:54Don't do this.
31:55But she wasn't stopping.
31:56Pin after pin.
31:58Shoulder.
31:58Elbow.
31:59Knee.
32:00Julian's screams turned to whimpers,
32:02turned to silence.
32:04In that first timeline,
32:05you convinced me to castrate Liam,
32:07said he didn't deserve to be a father.
32:10So let's see how you like him.
32:12Sarah!
32:13The air was thick,
32:15with sirens and fear.
32:16The east wing of the mansion was sealed off.
32:19Crime scene had tied directly to Liam Vance.
32:21A detective blocked his path at the door.
32:23You can't be here.
32:24No exceptions allowed in this chaos.
32:27I'm Liam Vance.
32:28This is about me.
32:30The detective's expression shifted,
32:32recognizing the name.
32:34Come with me.
32:35The air was thick,
32:36with sirens and fear.
32:37The east wing of the mansion was sealed off.
32:39Crime scene had tied directly to Liam Vance.
32:43The quiet hallway was a stark contrast
32:44to the madness outside.
32:46Miss Hawthorne is in critical condition.
32:49She fell on a bed of knives
32:50she'd arranged on the floor.
32:52We think it was intentional.
32:55And Julian?
32:56The detective's answer was cold and blunt.
32:59Alive.
33:00Barely.
33:02He's in surgery now.
33:05She said she did it for you.
33:07I didn't ask her to.
33:09I didn't ask her to.
33:10I know we've been blessed as you.
33:11I know.
33:12But she left something for you.
33:15He held out a phone.
33:17Serafina's phone.
33:18A final message.
33:19Waiting.
33:20One single video file in the gallery.
33:22Dated today.
33:23Timestamped two hours before the livestream.
33:26This was her goodbye.
33:27If you're watching this, I'm already gone.
33:30And I'm sorry.
33:32In that first timeline, you built something incredible after I died.
33:35I heard about it before, before I came back.
33:37You revolutionized cybersecurity.
33:39Changed how we protect data.
33:41Saved millions of lives with your work.
33:43You did all of that after I destroyed you.
33:45So imagine what you could do without me in your way.
33:47I spent my entire life trying to control everything.
33:50My family's company.
33:51My relationships.
33:53My future.
33:54And all it did was destroy the one person who actually cared about me.
33:59And if anyone ever asks about me,
34:02tell them I finally learned to let go.
34:07The video ended,
34:08leaving Liev alone with her words.
34:11A final goodbye that set him free.
34:14My Tia's research lab hung with activity around me.
34:16But I barely noticed.
34:17I was deep in code.
34:19Refining the encryption algorithm.
34:21The foundation for next-gen medical device security.
34:26Dr. Vance?
34:31There's someone here to see you.
34:32Says it's personal.
34:34I don't have any appointments.
34:36I know.
34:37But she said you'd want to see her.
34:39She.
34:40I followed him to the lobby.
34:42And stopped.
34:45Older but somehow softer.
34:47The sharp edges worn down.
34:52Hi.
34:54You are alive.
34:58Disappointed?
34:59Confused.
35:00The knives.
35:02I positioned them carefully.
35:04I knew where to fall.
35:06I spent the last five years in therapy.
35:08The kind where they don't let you leave until you've actually processed your trauma.
35:13And Julian?
35:14Prison.
35:1515 years for fraud and embezzlement.
35:17He'll be out eventually, but he's not my problem anymore.
35:19Silence stretched between us.
35:21Why are you here?
35:22To apologize, in person, for everything I did to you.
35:25Both timelines.
35:26You were right about all of it.
35:27I was obsessed with control.
35:29With the fantasy of who I thought you should be.
35:30And it almost killed us both.
35:32Sarah.
35:32I'm not asking for forgiveness.
35:33Or a second chance.
35:34I just wanted you to know.
35:35Your work is saving lives.
35:36Real people.
35:37I read your last paper on pacemaker security protocols.
35:39Did you know how many recounts you prevented?
35:40How many deaths you stopped?
35:41It's just research.
35:45It's everything.
35:47You're doing what I should have done by yourself.
35:51And I'm proud of you.
35:55Sarah.
35:56I forgive you.
36:02You don't have to.
36:03I know.
36:04But I'm choosing to anyway.
36:06We were both trapped in patterns we couldn't break.
36:09Until we did.
36:12Take care of yourself.
36:13You too.
36:13She walked out.
36:14And I watched her go.
36:15Really go this time.
36:16No weight of obligation.
36:17Or revenge.
36:18Or unfinished business.
36:19Just two people.
36:20Who'd survived each other.
36:21My phone buzzed.
36:23A text front, Marcus.
36:24Conference room.
36:25Now.
36:25The NSA wants to talk about your encryption protocol.
36:27I smiled.
36:28And headed back.
36:29This life.
36:30The one I built on my own terms.
36:31Was just beginning.
36:32This time.
36:33I wasn't letting anyone take it from me.
36:36I momento.
36:36I'm going to be back.
36:36I want to.
36:36I'm the only one I want to find myself.
36:37Ian.
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