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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was thrashing on the delivery bed, contractions ripping through me one after another.
00:07My husband Damien was gripping my hand, looking at me with this sickeningly sweet, gentle expression.
00:14Just hang in there a little longer, Alexia. We're gonna meet our baby so soon.
00:19I was sweating bullets, practically blinded by the pain, but I still managed a weak smile for him.
00:24Then, a nurse walked in holding a syringe. I thought it was just my epidural, but Damien suddenly dropped my
00:31hand and took a massive step back.
00:32The second that needle pierced my skin, I heard Damien mutter,
00:36Get the dosage right, we need to stall her labor, until Vivian gives birth.
00:40My eyes snapped wide open, staring at him in pure horror, but he just casually checked his Rolex.
00:47Vivian's 6 centimeters dilated, they just keep her drugged for another 2 hours.
00:51I wanted to scream, to rip the 4 out, but the drugs were already flooding my veins.
00:56The violent, tearing contractions in my stomach were suddenly choked out by this invisible hand.
01:01Everything just, stopped dead.
01:03They wheeled me down to the hospital's creepy ass basement, dumping me in what looked like a makeshift cell.
01:08Damien's spoiled brat of a sister, Bella, was leaning against the doorframe, casually twirling a surgical scalpel.
01:14Don't be mad at my brother, Alessia.
01:16Vivian is carrying my late brother's baby, the first actual heir, a boy, for our family's new generation.
01:23Who cares if you deliver first?
01:26You're just popping out a girl, it's totally worthless.
01:29I clutched my giant belly as a fresh, rogue wave of contraction started violently fighting off the drugs.
01:34The pain was so blinding my vision literally went black.
01:37Get a doc, the baby's coming I swear to god.
01:41I gasped out.
01:42Bella just let out this wicked, psychotic little laugh.
01:46Give birth?
01:48Who said you're giving birth?
01:52Those meds are gonna keep you locked up tight for another 3 hours.
01:56Vivian's already in the delivery, Scooty.
01:58Once her son is born safe and sound, you can push all you freaking want.
02:02She stood up, brushing off her designer jeans, and shot a glare at the muscle standing by the door.
02:07Watch her, or she screams gag her.
02:09The heavy metal door slammed shut.
02:11I rise on the freezing concrete floor, a pool of blood already soaking right through my hospital gown.
02:16Damien had confiscated my phone the exact second we pulled up to the emergency room.
02:21He fed me some BS about radiation being bad for the baby.
02:24Looking back?
02:25He just didn't want me calling the cops.
02:27I curled into a tight, agonizing ball, desperately trying to breathe through the blinding pain.
02:32But all I could picture was the look in Damien's eyes.
02:36Stone cold.
02:37Calculating.
02:38Like he was looking at a broken piece of furniture.
02:41Not his wife.
02:42Not the woman literally carrying his child.
02:44Three months ago, his older brother Alan died in a horrific car crash.
02:48He left behind Vivian, his widow, who was three months pregnant.
02:52At the funeral, Damien's dad the family patriarch George was bawling, gripping Vivian's hands like a lifeline.
02:58You have to deliver this baby safely.
03:00Our bloodline cannot end here.
03:02Back then, I actually felt bad for Vivian.
03:05I even stepped up and said,
03:07Don't worry dad.
03:08Damien and I will make sure our baby takes care of you too.
03:11The old man George just gave me this dead, blank stare and said nothing.
03:15It suddenly clicked.
03:16From that exact moment, my baby was already marked as collateral damage.
03:21Another contraction ripped through me, a hundred times more brutal than the last.
03:25The delayed drugs were wearing off.
03:27My baby was coming out.
03:29Now, I dragged myself to the door, clawing and pounding on the metal with everything I had.
03:34Somebody help!
03:35The baby is coming!
03:37Please save my baby!
03:39Dead silence from the hallway.
03:40I screamed until my vocal cords literally bled, only to hear one of the guards grumble impatiently.
03:46Shut the hell up!
03:47Blair said to wait, so you wait!
03:49But my baby...
03:50If it dies, it dies.
03:52Blame your own crappy luck for not carrying a boy.
03:55I slumped back against the freezing wall, ice running through my veins.
03:59This wasn't bad luck.
04:00They actively, intentionally wanted my baby dead.
04:03I have no idea how long I survived in that pitch black basement.
04:06The bleeding wouldn't stop.
04:08I was practically swimming in a dark red puddle.
04:10Just as I started blacking out, the door violently swung open.
04:14It wasn't Bella.
04:15It wasn't the goons.
04:17It was the family's private physician, Dr. Vance.
04:20Alexia?
04:21What the hell are you doing down here?
04:23Damien told everyone you were resting up in the penthouse VIP suite.
04:27I tried to scream, but my throat was totally paralyzed.
04:30All I could do was point at my swollen stomach, sobbing uncontrollably.
04:35The second his hands felt my abdomen.
04:37He sharply sucked in a breath.
04:39You're 10 centimeters.
04:40Your water's completely broken.
04:42We have to get you to a hospital.
04:43Now!
04:44He tried to scoot me up, but the slightest movement sent a horrifying, hot gush between
04:48my legs.
04:49Blood.
04:50So much damn blood.
04:52Dr. Vance's hands were shaking uncontrollably as he screamed out the door.
04:55Help!
04:57Get in here now!
04:58She's hemorrhaging!
04:59The hallway was a ghost town.
05:01Damien's family basically owned this private hospital.
05:04They had cleared out the entire building tonight just for Vivian's delivery.
05:08Every single doctor and nurse was on standby up on the third floor.
05:11Dr. Vance whipped out his phone, swearing when he saw there was zero cell service down
05:15here.
05:16I'm carrying you up.
05:17Just hold on.
05:18Gritting his teeth.
05:19He lifted my dead weight and stumbled frantically toward the exit.
05:22That stairwell felt like an endless nightmare.
05:25Every single jolt was pure, unadulterated torture.
05:28I could feel my baby dropping, pushing down, but unable to actually come out.
05:33Those sick delay drugs were still messing with my system, making my contractions totally
05:37erratic.
05:38It was the most lethal scenario possible.
05:40Dr. Vance, save the baby.
05:43Please, just save my baby.
05:45Don't talk like that.
05:46You're both gonna make it.
05:48He finally hit the ground floor, sprinting straight for the primary operating room.
05:53But when we got to the doors, we both just froze.
05:56The or double doors were propped wide open.
05:58And the room was completely, utterly gutted.
06:01The overhead surgical lights?
06:03Gone.
06:04The operating table?
06:05Gone.
06:06The fetal monitors, the oxygen tanks, every single piece of life-saving equipment had
06:10straight up vanished.
06:11All that was left was an empty, echoing room and some exposed wall outlets.
06:16Dr. Vance stood there, paralyzed.
06:18He let out this choked, horrified sound, like someone was literally strangling him.
06:22The hell?
06:23How is this possible?
06:24I personally checked all this equipment at 3 p.m.
06:28Suddenly, the sharp click of heels echoed from down the hall.
06:31Bella strolled over with two nurses trailing her like lapdogs.
06:35Dr. Vance?
06:36The hell are you doing down here?
06:38Vivian's up on the third floor.
06:39Why did you leave your post?
06:40Where is the equipment?
06:43Where did everything go?
06:44We moved it up to the third floor, obviously.
06:47Vivian needs a C-section, so she gets the absolute premium gear.
06:52What if there's an emergency?
06:54A regular old OR wouldn't cut it for the air.
07:00Oh, is Alessia about to pop?
07:02Well, she's going to have to hold it in.
07:04Vivian's not done yet.
07:05Just suck it up and tough it out a little longer.
07:08I stared up at her flawlessly contoured face.
07:10A sick memory flashed from six months ago her linking arms with me at Prada, batting her eyelashes and going,
07:16The best, Alexia.
07:17You're more like a real sister to me than anyone.
07:20Looking back now, what a twisted, pathetic joke.
07:24Dr. Vance sprinted into the nurse's station like a madman, violently tearing through the supply cabinets.
07:28But they were wiped clean.
07:31Where are the meds?
07:32Give me something!
07:34We sent it all up to the third floor.
07:36Damien ordered that every single resource must be strictly prioritized for Vivian.
07:41Dr. Vance slammed his fist so hard that the cabinet had dented.
07:45I'm so sorry.
07:46God, I'm so sorry.
07:48Alessia, there's nothing I can do.
07:52Bella sauntered over, condescendingly patting his shoulder.
07:55Relax, Doc.
07:56Take a breath.
07:57She hasn't even pushed the kid out yet.
08:00Once Vivian is finished, we'll send the scraps back downstairs for her.
08:04And honestly, even if she pops it out, it's just a worthless girl.
08:07If it dies, good riddance.
08:10Our family doesn't need trash like that.
08:12I stared a hole straight through her skull, looking at the girl I had treated like my own flesh and
08:16blood for three straight years.
08:18You sick bitch.
08:20Bella's smug little smile instantly vanished.
08:23Keep barking.
08:24Call me whatever you want.
08:26Once you're completely drained from giving birth, I have plenty of ways to shut you up for good.
08:31And then, Vivian is gonna officially take your place as the Lady of the Howe.
08:35As for you, we might just spare your pathetic life.
08:40You know, as a favor to my brother.
08:43Blair!
08:45You are literally murdering her!
08:47Murder?
08:49Watch your mouth, Doc.
08:51You're on thin ice.
08:53Women die from childbirth complications every day.
08:56It's perfectly natural.
08:58Besides, this is internal family business.
09:01You're just an employee on our payroll.
09:03Back the hell off.
09:04She flicked her wrist at her goons.
09:06Escort Dr. Vance to the break room.
09:08I'll take excellent care of Alessia myself.
09:10Two massive bodyguards immediately grabbed the doctor by the arms and started dragging him away.
09:16Alexia!
09:17Press your acrobacere points.
09:19Your ankles.
09:20The webbing of your hands.
09:22It'll force the contractions.
09:24Don't give up!
09:25You can still save the baby!
09:26His voice echoed down the hall until it faded into nothing.
09:29Bella casually kicked the nurse's station door shut and turned back to face me.
09:33She pulled out her iPhone and started a FaceTime call.
09:36Hey Damien!
09:38Alessia's about to pop.
09:39Wanna watch?
09:40Damien's face popped up on the screen.
09:42He was pacing outside a luxury delivery suite, a swarm of elite doctors buzzing in the background.
09:48Cut the crap, Alessia.
09:50Things are getting complicated with Vivian.
09:53The baby's heart rate is dropping.
09:55Bella flipped the camera to show my bloody, writhing body on the floor.
09:58Look at all this blood she's losing.
10:01Do you think she's gonna croak too?
10:03Damien frowned at the screen for half a second before aggressively looking away.
10:07Just make her wait.
10:08Once Vivian's done, I'll send a doctor down.
10:10Blair, just keep an eye on her.
10:12I can't leave this floor right now.
10:14The call disconnected.
10:16Bella shrugged, shoving the phone into her back pocket.
10:19Hear that?
10:20My brother only gives a damn about Vivian.
10:22I slammed my eyes shut, refusing to look at her smug face.
10:26But I slowly, secretly slipped my hand behind my back.
10:29Sewn into the fabric was a tiny, button-sized device.
10:32I dug my fingernail under the device's protective cap and flipped it open.
10:36And I pressed down hard.
10:38No beep.
10:39No flashing red light.
10:40But I knew the distress signal was already bouncing off a satellite.
10:43My dad Robert promised that the second I hit that button,
10:46his people would crash through the doors in under 30 minutes.
10:49But 30 minutes.
10:50Did my baby even have 30 minutes left?
10:53A panic button my dad Robert gave me.
10:55He told me.
10:56Alessia, that family is full of vipers.
10:59If things go south, press this.
11:01Dad, chill.
11:02Damien treats me like a queen.
11:04His whole family adores me.
11:05God, I was so incredibly, fatally stupid.
11:08My grip on reality was slipping.
11:10Bella was just lounging in a chair, scrolling through her phone,
11:13occasionally glaring down at me like I was roadkill.
11:16I mean, seriously.
11:17What were you thinking marrying into our family, Alexia?
11:20Did you just want Damien for his looks?
11:22His money?
11:24You're literally a nobody from a middle class family.
11:27You never belonged with us.
11:28I didn't say a single word.
11:30I just kept desperately pressing the pressure points Dr. Vance told me about.
11:34My ankles.
11:35The webbing of my hands.
11:37Pushing down with everything I had.
11:39Even if it was a total long shot.
11:41Bella just kept running her mouth.
11:43We figured, hey, if you spit out a son, you'd at least have some use.
11:47Then the ultrasound showed it was a girl.
11:49The old man was absolutely furious.
11:52Thank God Vivian is having a boy.
11:53Otherwise, our bloodline would be screwed.
11:55She stood up, walked over, and literally kicked my leg.
11:58So do us all a favor and know your place.
12:01Stop clinging to things that aren't yours.
12:03I forced my eyes open and stared dead at her.
12:06Damien, know you're talking to me like this?
12:10Duh.
12:11My brother literally sent me down here to prep you.
12:14He said you were stubborn and might do something crazy, so I needed to talk some sense into you.
12:19Another massive wave of agony ripped through my stomach.
12:22Worse than all the others combined.
12:24The meds were completely gone.
12:26The baby was crowning.
12:29I couldn't hold back the scream anymore.
12:31Bella jumped back, looking totally disgusted.
12:34So annoying.
12:36She yanked the door open and yelled down the hall.
12:38Hey!
12:39Somebody get in here and check if she's finally popping.
12:42A terrified nurse scrambled in, took one look between my legs, and went chalk white.
12:48She's fully dilated.
12:49The head is cloning.
12:52But she's losing way too much blood.
12:53We have to deliver right now.
12:56Then catch it, genius.
12:58The nurse was on the verge of tears.
13:29We have no equipment.
13:30Every single passing second was pure, agonizing hell.
13:34Then, out of nowhere, rapid, heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.
13:38A lot of them.
13:39The synchronized, thunderous thud of tactical combat boots.
13:45Who is that?
13:47The heavy metal door was violently kicked off its hinges.
13:51A squad of women full black tactical gear swarmed the room.
13:54Assault rifles raised.
13:58The second his eyes locked onto my bloody body, they went completely red.
14:03Miss Alessia.
14:05Alessia.
14:06I just weakly reached my bloody hand out to him.
14:08The nurse started shrieking hysterically.
14:10Who the hell are you?
14:12How did you get in here?
14:14How did you get here?
14:15Security!
14:16Security!
14:17The leader didn't even glance at her.
14:19He sprinted over and dropped to one knee right beside me.
14:23I should have protected you.
14:25He scooped me up into his arms and barked at his squad.
14:29Clear the perimeter.
14:30Prep the mobile med bay, now.
14:32Yes, sir.
14:40You can't do this!
14:41This hospital belongs to Damien's family!
14:44The leader paused and slowly turned his head.
14:47He gave her a look that could freeze hell itself.
14:50Damien's family?
14:51They're already dead to us.
14:54They rushed me into a heavily modified, armored medical van.
14:58The inside was literally a state-of-the-art mobile operating room.
15:01Elite trauma docs and nurses were already inside, instantly starting resuscitation.
15:06BP dropping.
15:0760 over 40.
15:08Hemorrhagic shock.
15:09Fetal distress is critical.
15:11We need to perform an emergency C-section.
15:14But the mother's vitals are crashing.
15:16The surgery risk is.
15:18Cut her open.
15:18I'll take the bullet if anything goes wrong.
15:21Save.
15:21Save the baby first.
15:23Boss, please don't speak.
15:25Save your energy.
15:26The Don is already on his way.
15:28He'll be here any minute.
15:30You and the baby are going to make it.
15:32You have to.
15:33Before he could even finish, the heart monitor let out a piercing, continuous scream.
15:37She's flatlining.
15:38Grab the paddles.
15:39Clear.
15:40The fetal heartbeat is crashing too.
15:42Scalpel.
15:43We're cutting now.
15:44They strapped my arms down, and a heavy anesthesia mask was clamped over my face.
15:49Right before the darkness swallowed me whole, I heard the surgeon scream.
15:52We're too late.
15:53The baby.
15:54The baby has no pulse.
15:57Darkness.
15:58Pure, suffocating darkness.
16:00I don't know how much time passed.
16:02I slowly peeled my eyes open.
16:04I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, the sharp smell of antiseptics burning my nose.
16:09She's awake.
16:10The boss is awake.
16:12Someone shouted in pure relief.
16:14Several faces instantly crowded around my bed.
16:16All faces I grew up with.
16:18My dad Robert's top enforcers, the ruthless uncles who basically raised me.
16:23Where's my baby?
16:24The entire room went dead silent.
16:26A few seconds later, the man standing at the foot of the bed slowly turned around.
16:30It was my dad Robert.
16:32The Don.
16:33A man in his 50s?
16:34Alessia.
16:35He couldn't even get past my name before his voice broke.
16:38Looking into his bloodshot, shattered eyes, I already knew the answer.
16:42The baby's gone isn't it?
16:44Massive hemorrhaging.
16:45Placental abruption.
16:47The oxygen deprivation was just, too long.
16:50The doctors did absolutely everything they could.
16:52I closed my eyes.
16:54I didn't cry.
16:55I didn't scream.
16:56I just felt this massive, gaping black hole open up in my chest.
17:00The tiny life that had been growing inside me for nine months.
17:03The baby that kicked me every day, the one I whispered secrets to.
17:07Gone.
17:08Where's Damien?
17:09He's with Vivian.
17:10She gave birth.
17:12To a boy.
17:13His entire family is popping champagne, celebrating.
17:16Not a single one of them even asked about you.
17:41I let out a laugh.
17:42A sick, full-body tremor of a laugh.
17:45Perfect.
17:47Absolutely perfect.
17:48My dad Robert squeezed my hand tight.
17:50Alessia, we're going home.
17:52That family doesn't deserve you, and that bastard definitely doesn't.
17:56Dad.
17:57I need you to do something for me.
17:58Name it.
17:59I need a body double.
18:00A hyper-realistic fake corpse.
18:03Make it look exactly like me.
18:05Post-delivery, bled to death.
18:07My dad Robert totally froze.
18:09You're planning to.
18:10I want them to think I'm dead.
18:12And then, I am going to sit back and watch exactly how they celebrate.
18:16Watch them throw a party for their new, air, over my dead body.
18:19Then, he firmly nodded.
18:21Done.
18:22I'll make the call.
18:23The body double was terrifyingly realistic.
18:26Medical-grade silicone skin, pumped full of fake blood bags, complete with a core temperature
18:31simulator.
18:32Shoved into a freezer in the morgue.
18:34You literally couldn't tell the difference from an actual corpse.
18:37I was chilling in the hospital security room.
18:39Any regrets?
18:40About what?
18:41Marrying that piece of trash.
18:43Nope.
18:43At least it showed me exactly what kind of monsters they are.
18:46On the screen, Damien finally strutted out of the VIP delivery suite.
18:51He was holding a swaddled newborn, his face absolutely glowing with that I proud new dad
18:55energy.
18:56Vivian was being wheeled out on a hospital bed, looking pale but flashing this massive, the
19:00old patriarch George hobbled over on his cane, bawling his eyes out the second he laid eyes
19:05on the kid.
19:05A grandson.
19:06I finally have a grandson.
19:08Our bloodline is secure.
19:09The whole damn family crowded around the baby, laughing and celebrating.
19:14Not a single person asked about me.
19:16No one remembered the other pregnant woman who was literally fighting for her life downstairs.
19:21Mr. Damien, what about your wife?
19:23Damien frowned, looking like he literally just remembered I existed.
19:26How's she doing?
19:27No updates yet.
19:29Dr. Vance is down there with her.
19:31I'll go check.
19:32I'm coming with you.
19:33He handed his golden boy off to the nanny and headed for the elevator.
19:37Bella scrambled after him.
19:38The two of them hopped into the elevator.
19:41I switched the camera feed to the ground floor.
19:43Dr. Vance was leaning against the wall outside the gutted door, looking like an actual ghost.
19:48Seeing Damien, he shot up straight.
19:51Mr. Damien, where's my wife?
19:53He just slowly stepped aside and pointed a shaking finger down the hall.
19:57Toward the morgue, Damien's face dropped.
19:59What the hell does that mean?
20:21Dr. Vance choked out, staring at the floor.
20:25Massive hemorrhage.
20:26We couldn't resuscitate her.
20:28We lost the baby too.
20:30The air in the hallway completely froze.
20:33Damien just stood there, paralyzed.
20:34Like his brain couldn't process the words.
20:37Bella was the first to snap out of it.
20:40Bullshit, she was completely fine a minute ago.
20:42She lost way too much blood.
20:44We had zero equipment.
20:46Zero meds.
20:47I tried literally everything, but I'm so sorry.
20:50I swear to God I tried.
20:52Damien suddenly snapped, grabbing the doctor by the collar and violently hoisting him up.
20:57What the F-U-C-K did you just say?
20:59My wife is dead.
21:00Dr. Vance just nodded, tears streaming down his face.
21:04Damien dropped him, stumbling backward until his back hit the wall.
21:07No.
21:08That's impossible.
21:09She was perfectly healthy, how could she?
21:12Bella frantically grabbed his arm.
21:13Damien, wait.
21:14Let me go check.
21:16She practically sprinted toward the morgue.
21:18On the cameras, I watched her yank open the freezer drawer and stare down at the corpse.
21:22The silicone face was permanently frozen in a mask of agonizing pain.
21:26The white sheet underneath was entirely soaked in dark red blood.
21:30Bella stared for all of five seconds before clapping a hand over her mouth and bolting
21:34out of the room.
21:35Damien, it's real.
21:36Damien stormed into the morgue.
21:38The feet caught him standing over the open freezer, completely paralyzed.
21:42He stood there so long it freaked Bella out.
21:45She tiptoed in and tugged his sleeve.
21:47Damien suddenly snapped his arm back and punched the concrete wall with everything he had.
21:52Why?
21:52Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?
21:54Why didn't you wait for me?
21:55Dr. Vance, standing out in the hall, muttered quietly.
21:59Your phone was off.
22:00You didn't allow calls in the VIP suite.
22:03Then why the hell didn't you run upstairs and get me?
22:05It's two flights of stairs.
22:07How long would that take?
22:08You just stood there and watched her die.
22:10His eyes totally bloodshot with rage.
22:13Dr. Vance went dead silent, dropping his head as his shoulders shook.
22:17Bella tried to run damage control.
22:19I was the one who stopped him from going upstairs.
22:21Vivian was in a critical state.
22:23I didn't want to interrupt.
22:25Smack.
22:25He slapped her across the face.
22:27Hard.
22:28Did you just hit me?
22:30Were you the one who locked her in the basement?
22:31Bella wouldn't meet his eyes.
22:33I just told her to wait.
22:35Wait for what?
22:35That was my wife.
22:37That was two human lives.
22:38I told you to take care of her.
22:40Is this how you take care of people?
22:42Bella burst into tears.
22:44I was doing it for the family.
22:45Vivian was having a boy.
22:47She was having a girl.
22:48Do the math.
22:50Grandpa George said the boy is the only heir that matters.
22:52An heir.
22:53So, her life just didn't matter anymore.
22:56It was like that word literally stabbed Damien in the chest.
22:59He froze.
23:00The rage completely washed out of his face, replaced by this hollow, blank look.
23:05An heir.
23:05The only sound in the morgue was the low hum of the freezer and Bella's muffled sobbing.
23:10Damien dragged my corpse back to the family estate.
23:13They didn't even let me in the main house.
23:15They set up a cheap memorial in the guest wing.
23:17Meanwhile, Vivian and her golden boy moved straight into the master suite.
23:21Swarmed by nannies and night nurses.
23:23The old patriarch George laid down the law.
23:25Keep the funeral quiet and cheap.
23:27We don't want bad energy around the new baby.
23:30Just find a day to cremate her and get it over with.
23:32Pick a decent plot though, she was still married into the family.
23:36Damien didn't say a word.
23:37He just sat in that dark memorial room, guarding the casket.
23:40Three days and three nights.
23:42Didn't eat, didn't drink.
23:44Bella tried to comfort him and got violently kicked out.
23:47Vivian finally waltzed in holding the baby, playing the sweet widow.
23:50Damien, I'm so sorry for your loss.
23:53Alessia wouldn't want to see you like this from heaven.
23:55He stared at her for a long time before asking.
23:58What she was thinking when she died?
23:59I was in labor, I don't.
24:01She was thinking about why her husband wasn't there.
24:03About why everyone was celebrating your baby while leaving her to literally bleed to death.
24:07Damien, what the hell is that supposed to mean?
24:10I almost died giving birth too.
24:12The heart rate dropped so many times.
24:14Yeah, it was rough for you, but she actually died.
24:17Two lives.
24:18Gone.
24:19Did she deserve to die just because she wasn't carrying a boy?
24:23Damien stood up, walking over to the casket.
24:25I keep thinking, if I had just been with her, would things be different?
24:28If I hadn't ordered all the medical equipment for you, would she still be alive?
24:32If only.
24:33His voice cracked, unable to finish the sentence.
24:36Vivian bit her lip, spun on her heel, and stormed out.
24:39Right before she left, she threw one last dagger.
24:42Don't forget Damien.
24:43I'm the one who gave this family a son.
24:45That corpse in there is completely useless to us now.
24:48The door slammed shut.
24:49Damien slumped against the casket, sliding down to the floor, burying his face in his hands.
24:54Through the hidden camera feed, I watched his shoulders shake violently.
24:57I shot a text to my dad Robert, are we cleared to go?
25:00My dad Robert replied instantly, green light.
25:03Suddenly, the family business started bleeding out.
25:06First, their oldest suppliers entirely cut off their supply chain.
25:09The excuse?
25:11Quality control issues.
25:12Damien sent his fixers to smooth it out, but they got slammed doors in their faces.
25:17Then, the banks pulled their credit lines.
25:19Guaranteed multi-million dollar loan renewals were suddenly rejected for high risk.
25:23Their cash flow choked instantly.
25:25And then the clients started dropping like flies.
25:27Massive contracts were ripped up overnight, instantly handed over to their biggest rivals.
25:32Within 30 days, their total market value plummeted by 30%.
25:35The old patriarch George stressed himself into a hospital bed.
25:39Damien was running himself ragged, bouncing between the ICU and the crumbling corporate office.
25:44Vivian, sitting comfortably with the baby, constantly whined.
25:48Oh Yuri literally never home.
25:49You don't even care about the baby.
25:51My dad is dying and the company is imploding, what do you want me to do?
25:55So, what if the company crashes?
25:57We're loaded.
25:58We have enough cash for a lifetime.
26:00She rolled her eyes.
26:01Damien looked at her like he was seeing a complete stranger.
26:04Do you have any idea how this family built its empire?
26:06My grandfather George, my dad, my brother Alan three generations bled for this.
26:12It didn't just fall from the sky.
26:14Well, you still can't just abandon me and your nephew.
26:17He's not even a month old and you're MIA every single day.
26:21Damien slammed the door on her and drove straight back to the memorial hall.
26:24My casket was still sitting there.
26:26He refused to bury me because he couldn't find the perfect plot.
26:30He leaned against the polished wood, muttering into the void.
26:33Alessia, if you were here, what would you tell me to do?
26:36You'd probably tell me to just breathe.
26:38Take it one step at a time.
26:40You are always so level-headed.
26:42So damn smart.
26:44His voice dropped to a broken whisper.
26:46But I don't have anyone to talk to anymore.
26:48My dad just screams at me.
26:51Vivian only wants my credit cards.
26:53Bella is entirely self-obsessed.
26:55You were the only one who never asked for a dime, who just wanted to help me.
26:59He took a drag and started violently coughing.
27:02Coughing so hard literal tears streamed down his face.
27:05I'm so sorry.
27:06God, I am so sorry.
27:08I didn't know it was gonna end like this.
27:11If I could do it all over again, I swear I would.
27:14Before he could finish his pathetic confession, his phone blew up.
27:17It was his executive assistant, sounding absolutely panicked.
27:21Boss, we have a massive crisis.
27:24Customs just seized our entire shipping fleet.
27:27They're claiming we're smuggling contraband.
27:29The payload is huge.
27:30The feds are opening a criminal investigation.
27:33Contraband?
27:34What the hell are you talking about?
27:35We run a legitimate import business.
27:37It's real.
27:38The feds are literally raiding the lobby right now asking for you.
27:42Damien slammed the phone down and bolted out of the memorial hall.
27:45He jumped in his car, speeding toward the corporate HQ.
27:48Halfway there, his phone rang again, unknown caller ID.
27:52He picked up, and a man's voice ice cold and deadly deep spoke through the speakers.
27:56Did you enjoy my little gift, Damien?
27:59Who the hell is this?
28:00My name isn't important.
28:01All you need to know is that this.
28:03This is just the appetizer.
28:05You owe a massive debt.
28:07And I'm going to rip your entire family apart to collect it.
28:10The line went dead.
28:12Damien scrambled to redial, but the number was already disconnected.
28:15His hands, gripped white-knuckled on the steering wheel, started to violently shake.
28:20The federal investigation dragged on for two brutal weeks.
28:23They eventually dropped the charges due to insufficient evidence, but the entire cargo was seized.
28:28Millions of dollars, instantly gone.
28:30Their family's reputation absolutely tanked.
28:33And business partners started tearing up their contracts left and right.
28:37The company's stock flatlined.
28:38The stress triggered a second massive stroke for the old patriarch George, and this time,
28:43he didn't make it.
28:44Right before he kicked the bucket, he gripped Damien's hand, gasping out.
28:48Family.
28:49The air.
28:50And then he flatlined.
28:52The funeral was pathetic and cheap.
28:54Barely anyone showed up, and the ones who did were only there to watch the train wreck.
28:58Vivian stood by the casket holding the baby, crying her perfectly manicured crocodile tears.
29:03Honestly couldn't tell if she was crying for the old man or crying because her sugar daddy was dead.
29:08Damien just stood there the entire time, completely dead inside.
29:11It wasn't until the funeral ended and the guests cleared out that he finally turned to Vivian.
29:16Pack your stuff.
29:17Get out.
29:18Vivian completely fro.
29:20Excuse me?
29:22Take the kid and get the hell out of my house.
29:24I'll cut you a check.
29:26It'll be enough to keep you comfortable for the rest of your life.
29:28Damien!
29:29What the hell are you talking about?
29:31I'm your brother's widow!
29:33His baby is his own flesh and blood!
29:35Grandpa George literally said he's the heir!
29:39The heir?
29:40Our entire empire is turning to dust.
29:43What exactly is he inheriting?
29:45Our crippling debt?
29:47Vivian took a step back, panicked.
29:49You're just gonna abandon us?
29:51I'm paying you.
29:52Damien deadpanned.
29:54That's me, not abandoning.
29:56Main estate?
29:57I'm keeping it.
30:00It holds all my memories with Alessia.
30:04Memories?
30:05Stop lying to yourself, Damien.
30:07You never loved that woman.
30:09You're just drowning in guilt.
30:11She died a horrific death, and now the guilt is eating you alive.
30:15If she was still breathing, you would have dumped her and married me ages ago!
30:19Damien's face went deadly.
30:21Shut your mouth.
30:23I'm gonna say it!
30:24You totally lost it.
30:26Completely unhinged.
30:27You only married her because she was a clean, basic girl you could easily manipulate!
30:31You literally told me that once she pushed the kid out, you'd find an excuse to divorce her!
30:35Now that she's dead, she did you a massive favor!
30:39You should be thanking me!
30:40Thanking my son for getting her out of the picture!
30:43Smack!
30:44Another slap.
30:45Infinitely harder than the one he gave Bella.
30:47Vivian was literally knocked to the floor, the baby instantly bursting into terrified wells.
30:52Damien loomed over her, his eyes like daggers of ice.
30:55Get out.
30:57Right now, leave.
30:58If I ever see your face again, you won't get a single damn cent.
31:02Vivian scrambled up, clutching the screaming baby, and shot him a lethal glare.
31:06I'm going to regret this!
31:08She stormed out, taking the kid and a massive seven-figure settlement check with her.
31:12Damien stood alone in the empty memorial hall, staring up at his dad George's portrait.
31:17He suddenly looked so incredibly, fundamentally exhausted.
31:20Too exhausted to even stand.
31:22He dropped to his knees.
31:24Dad, I can't hold on anymore.
31:26The empire is collapsing and it's all my fault.
31:29Total silence.
31:31Nobody answered him.
31:32Just the cold draft sweeping through the hall, violently flapping the white morning drapes.
31:36I was chilling in my Italian estate, watching the CCTV feeds on my iPad.
31:41My dad Robert strolled in and tossed a dossier onto the table.
31:45Damien's company.
31:46Valuation's barely holding at a fraction of what it was.
31:49And they're drowning in debt twice that same.
31:51Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy is only a few days away.
31:55I picked up the file and skimmed the pages.
31:57That was way faster than I expected.
32:00My dad Robert sat down and let out a heavy sigh.
32:04Alessia, do you really need to personally watch him burn to the ground?
32:07I looked up at him.
32:09Dad, do you seriously expect me to forgive him?
32:12He shook his head immediately.
32:14No.
32:14The bastard deserves it.
32:16I'm just worried about you.
32:18I don't want you getting stuck in this dark headspace.
32:21I slapped the folder shut and gave him a faint smile.
32:23The exact moment my baby died, I completely detached from him.
32:27Right now, I'm literally just collecting a debt.
32:31My dad Robert looked at me, his eyes full of conflict.
32:34You've changed.
32:35You used to smile so much.
32:37Now even your smiles look completely hollow.
32:40I stood up, walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and stared out over the vineyards.
32:45Everyone grows eventually.
32:47Some people just take years to do it.
32:49And some of us grow up overnight after one brutal betrayal and a brush with death.
32:54My dad Robert didn't say anything back.
32:56He just stood there with me in comfortable silence for a while,
32:59then quietly left the room.
33:01Suddenly, my burner phone buzzed.
33:03It was Damien.
33:04The absolute nerve of this guy to call me.
33:07Well, technically, he was calling my dead alias' number.
33:10I answered it, but kept my mouth completely shut.
33:13His voice, incredibly hoarse and broken, crackled through the speaker.
33:17Alexia, I know you can't hear this, but I just really re-needed to talk to you.
33:22The family is finished.
33:23My dad is dead, Vivian walked out, and Bella completely cut cuz with me.
33:27Right now, I have absolutely no one left.
33:29Sometimes I think, if I had just treated you better, maybe everything would be different.
33:32If I wasn't so insanely greedy, wanting the sun, wanting the empire, wanting total control
33:37over everything, maybe, maybe you'd still be alive.
33:41But what ifs are useless.
33:43You're dead, our baby is dead, and it's 100% my fault.
33:48I could spend my entire life trying to pay off this debt, and it wouldn't be enough.
33:55So, he took a massive, shuddering breath.
33:58I liquidated everything left of the company.
34:01I split the cash three ways.
34:03One third went to charity.
34:04In your name, one third went to Vivian and the kid as a final payout for my brother Alan.
34:10And the last third...
34:13I kept it.
34:14To buy myself a burial plot, right next to yours.
34:17In the next life, I'd give you my soul to make it up to you.
34:20The call abruptly ended.
34:22I sat there gripping the phone, completely motionless for a long time.
34:26Until the screen went black, reflecting my stone-cold, expressionless face.
34:30Damien actually kept his word.
34:32He liquidated every single asset real estate, stocks, art collections.
34:36He even listed the main family mansion.
34:39He downsized to a tiny, crappy apartment.
34:42His entire routine was just getting blackout drunk and haunting the cemetery.
34:46Just sitting in front of my headstone, talking to himself like a crazy person.
34:50Sometimes rambling about the bankrupt company.
34:53Sometimes bringing up childhood memories.
34:55Sometimes he didn't say a word.
34:57Just sat there staring into space.
34:59Four hours on end.
35:01Literally all day.
35:02Bella actually tracked him down once, screaming that he'd lost his damn mind.
35:07You blew the entire family fortune for a corpse?
35:09How can you face dad?
35:11How can you face our brother Alan?
35:13Damien just looked at her with totally hollow, dead eyes.
35:16And who's gonna make it right for Lesia?
35:18Who makes it right for the child we killed?
35:20Bella choked on her words, finally running off crying.
35:23She never came back.
35:25By the third month of watching this live stream of misery, I was officially bored.
35:29The adrenaline rush of revenge had completely worn off the second his company went under.
35:33All that was left was this empty void.
35:35And a tiny sliver of pity that I hated to admit I felt.
35:38My dad Robert asked me.
35:41Have you seen enough?
35:42If you're done playing games, snap out of it.
35:44I need you to take over the syndicate's operations.
35:46I nodded.
35:47I'll be back at the office tomorrow.
35:49But tonight, I'm taking a trip to the cemetery.
35:52My dad Robert frowned.
35:54That's way too risky.
35:55He's a desperate man with nothing left to lose.
35:58If he figures out you're alive...
35:59He won't notice.
36:00I assured him I'm literally just going to watch from the distance.
36:02One last look and I'm closing this chapter permanently.
36:04My dad Robert stayed quiet for a minute, then nodded.
36:08Detail.
36:10Call it in if anything goes south.
36:12The cemetery was dead silent at night.
36:14I stood back in the shadows of the trees, watching Damien slumped in front of my headstone.
36:19He looked practically emaciated.
36:21His hair had gone gray.
36:23The guy wasn't even 40 yet, but he looked like he was pushing 50.
36:27He was clutching a bottle of liquor, taking swigs and slurring his words.
36:31Alexia, I finally went to see a shrink today.
36:34He diagnosed me with clinical depression.
36:38Tried to shove pills down my throat.
36:40I told him to screw off.
36:42I'm not depressed.
36:43I just...
36:44I just miss you.
36:46I miss your cooking.
36:47I miss you nagging me about drinking too much.
36:50I miss you rubbing your belly and complaining the baby was kicking...
36:54He took another burning swig and started hacking.
36:56Coughed for a solid minute.
36:58When he finally stopped, his voice was even more wrecked.
37:01But the scariest part?
37:02I'm forgetting.
37:03Your face.
37:05Your voice.
37:06It's all getting so blurry.
37:07I'm absolutely terrified that one day I'm gonna totally forget you.
37:10And when that happens, what the hell am I supposed to do?
37:13He collapsed against the cold stone, his shoulders violently shaking.
37:17He was fully sobbing.
37:19I turned around.
37:20Completely done.
37:21Ready to leave.
37:22But my designer heel accidentally kicked a loose stone.
37:25Damien's head whipped up.
37:27Who's there?
37:27I completely froze.
37:29He stumbled to his feet and started marching toward the shadows.
37:33My security chief tried to pull me back, but I shook my head.
37:36I played the ghost long enough.
37:38It was time to face the music.
37:40Damien stopped dead in his tracks right at the edge of the shadows.
37:43The moonlight hit my face perfectly.
37:45He stared at me, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.
37:48Looking like he literally just saw a gun.
37:50You.
37:52It's me.
37:53I broke the silence.
37:54Not dead?
37:55Surprise.
37:57Damien's jaw was practically on the floor.
37:59He couldn't form a single word.
38:01He just stared at me like a madman.
38:03His eyes flipping from shock, to confusion, to absolute, unbeaten joy.
38:08He learned to go.
38:09He tried to grab me.
38:10My head of security instantly stepped in front of me, shoving him back.
38:19I tried to physically push past my guard, but the guy didn't even budge.
38:24That's when it finally dawned on him.
38:26I was flanked by four heavily armed men in tailored black.
38:29Who the hell are they?
38:31Damien stammered, confused.
38:33My muscle, I answered coolly.
38:35The psychotic joy on his face slowly melted into dread.
38:38He looked me up and down.
38:40Really looked at me.
38:41The custom tailored designer suit, the flawless mafia boss glam, the absolutely stone cold expression.
38:47A total 180 from the sweet, submissive little housewife he thought he married.
38:52Who?
38:52Who exactly are you?
38:55Let's reintroduce ourselves.
38:58Alessia, heiress to the family.
38:59Current head of the Corioni mafia syndicate.
39:05Bullshit!
39:06You told me you were from a boring middle class family?
39:09I lied to you.
39:10I cut him off.
39:12My dad explicitly told me not to marry you.
39:15He said I couldn't handle your toxic games.
39:17I was stupid and stubborn.
39:20I married you anyway.
39:21Looking back, he was 100% right.
39:26Wait, so my company going completely bankrupt?
39:29That was you?
39:30Yep, I didn't even blink.
39:33My dad, Robert, pulled the trigger.
39:35He said anyone who touches his daughter pays the ultimate price.
39:39Honestly, I agree with him.
39:42Damien's eyes flushed with furious red tears.
39:44Then why the hell didn't you tell me from the start?
39:51Damien, stop being so pathetic.
39:53From day one, you only loved me because you thought I was a nobody you could easily control.
39:57If you knew I had a mafia hit squad behind me, you wouldn't have even looked my way.
40:00Or worse, you'd have found a way to quietly murder me to absorb my family's empire.
40:06Completely speechless.
40:07He glared at me, his pathetic grief mutating into pure, venomous hatred.
40:13So you played me this whole time.
40:16You just watched me act like an absolute idiot while my entire world fell apart.
40:21All the while, you could have stopped it.
40:24Why?
40:25Not really.
40:26Watching you suffer didn't bring me joy.
40:30I just think it's exactly what you deserve.
40:33Karma?
40:34Alexia, drop the self-righteous act.
40:36If you had just been honest about who you were, none of this would have ever happened.
40:40Yeah, I screwed you over.
40:41But you lied, manipulated me, and destroyed my entire life.
40:45You're a hundred times sicker than I am.
40:47He lunged at me like a rabid dog.
40:49My guards didn't hesitate.
40:51They slammed him face first into the dirt in two seconds flat.
40:55Damien thrashed against the dirt, screaming like a maniac.
40:58Alexia!
40:58Run in hell!
41:02I'm gonna make you pay for this.
41:03I swear to God, I'll-
41:04Before he could finish his villain monologue, my guard punched his lights out.
41:07What do we do, boss?
41:07My security chief looked up at me.
41:09I stared down at his unconscious body.
41:12Jump him back at his crappy apartment and make sure I never have to look at his pathetical face again.
41:17I flew back to Italy and officially took the throne of the family empire.
41:20My dad formally retired.
41:22Now he just gardens, feeds the birds, and acts like your average sweet grandpa.
41:25Though occasionally, he still asks me,
41:28Do you still hate him?
41:30No.
41:32Holding on to that much hate is exhausting.
41:34I don't have the energy for it.
41:38Then, do you miss him?
41:40Dad, really?
41:43Do you think I'm that stupid?
41:46I just feel like you've completely shut down your emotions.
41:49It's been three years.
41:51I've barely seen you crack a real smile.
41:54And you haven't let a single man within a ten mile radius of you.
41:58Dad, I'm perfectly fine on my own.
42:00I have my empire, I have insane wealth, and I have my family.
42:04I don't need a man complicating my life.
42:07The itentionary for the U.S. trip next week finalized?
42:10Yes, it's done.
42:12Great.
42:12I'm going to go prep for it.
42:13I stood up and walked out of his office.
42:16Just as I hit the doorway, I heard him whisper.
42:18The baby had survived.
42:19They would have been three years old.
42:20My footsteps completely halted.
42:22I didn't look back.
42:23Just forced myself to keep walking.
42:26The hallway was endlessly long, lined with oil portraits of past syndicate bosses.
42:31Right at the very end was a portrait of my mother.
42:33She died from childbirth complications, hemorrhaged giving birth to me, and the doctors couldn't save her.
42:39My dad never remarried, never even dated.
42:41I never understood why.
42:42But now, I finally get it.
42:45Some wounds literally never heal.
42:47Some pain is so deep that not even time can...
42:50My phone buzzed in my pocket.
42:52My assistant's voice came through.
42:55Boss, Damien is in Italy.
42:57He's outside the estate gates.
42:59He's demanding an audience.
43:00I'm not seeing him.
43:01He's literally on his knees.
43:03Says he's not moving until you come out.
43:05I walked over to the nearest window and pulled back the heavy velvet curtains.
43:10Way down at the front gates, Damien was kneeling in the dirt, holding up a pathetic cardboard sign.
43:16It read,
43:17I'm so sorry.
43:17I was wrong.
43:19Please.
43:19Just see me once.
43:21I stared down at him for a few seconds.
43:24Then, I sharply yanked the...
43:25My assistant hesitated for a second.
43:27Boss, are you sure that won't be too...
43:29Just do it.
43:30I hung up the phone.
43:31I sank onto a leather sofa and closed my eyes.
43:34But my traitorous brain flashed back to a memory from years ago.
43:37The very first time we ever met.
43:39At the university library.
43:41I was carrying a massive stack of books.
43:44Bumped straight into him and dropped them everywhere.
43:46He immediately knelt down to help me pick them up, flashing me this bright smile.
43:50You've got a lot of books there, huh?
43:51The afternoon sunlight was streaming through the library windows, hitting his face perfectly.
43:56He looked so sweet.
43:57So completely pure.
43:59But it was all fake.
44:00A complete sick illusion.
44:02So why the hell does my heart still ache?
44:05So...
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