- vor 4 Stunden
- #tragicromance
- #ghosts
- #revenge
- #justice
- #atonement
After her tragic death, Nora Thorne's ghost watches as her husband, Elias, fights to right his wrongs. Consumed by guilt, he seeks justice for Nora and her sister Lily’s untimely demise, but his road to redemption leads to more pain.
#tragicromance #ghosts #revenge #justice #atonement
#tragicromance #ghosts #revenge #justice #atonement
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00:00Five years after my death, my doctor husband came looking for me again to take the fall for his high
00:06school sweetheart's malpractice suit.
00:08He burst into my apartment clutching a forged confession, only to find dust-covered furniture and cobwebbed corners.
00:15In a panic, he grabbed the bodega owner downstairs and demanded to know where I'd gone. The owner told him
00:21the truth.
00:22Nora Tharch, she died five years ago. Word is the victim's family lost it after the case was dismissed.
00:29They coirred her in the alley one night and stabbed her fourteen times.
00:33My husband didn't believe him. He was convinced the old man had been paid off to lie for me.
00:38He raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh.
00:41So she gets suspended for two years and now she's throwing a tantrum?
00:44Tell her if she doesn't show her face in three days, I'm cutting off her sister's cancer treatment payments!
00:49With that, he stormed out, cursing under his breath.
00:53The bodega owner watched him go, shaking his head with a sigh.
00:56What sister? That poor girl died years ago when the funding ran out.
01:01In the hallway, the deadbolt clicked as a key turned in the lock.
01:05I floated near the ceiling, watching Dr. Elias Thorne grip that forged confession as he charged into my old apartment,
01:12his shoes clicking sharply across the floorboards.
01:15Nora, get out here! Elena's about to lose her medical license and you're still hiding?
01:20I smiled bitterly from behind him.
01:23After the malpractice incident five years ago, Elias and I had cut all contact.
01:28Never imagined the next time he'd seek me out would be to make me the fall guy for his high
01:33school sweetheart's new lawsuit.
01:36I had to hand it to them.
01:38He and Elena really were devoted to each other.
01:40Elias made two laps around the apartment,
01:43his eyes sweeping over the dust-covered sofa and cobwebbed windowsill,
01:47his lips curling with disgust.
01:49Quit playing dead. Where's a disgraced doctor gonna hide anyway?
01:53Elena just texted. The medical board's already launched an investigation.
01:57You wanna see her go to prison? I'm giving you until the count of ten.
02:01Get out here now.
02:02I watched his impatient face, thinking how five years later, he still had that same entitled attitude.
02:08But no matter how many times he counted to ten,
02:11I'd never appear before him the way I used to, because I was already dead.
02:15Nora! Did you hear me? I ask you for one favor and you make it this difficult.
02:20He suddenly whirled and kicked the bedroom door.
02:23The wood groaned under the impact, but inside, there was still nothing.
02:27Elias clicked his tongue in annoyance, searched the apartment one more time,
02:31and finally seemed to grasp that no one was actually here.
02:35Muttering under his breath, he slammed his way out.
02:38Downstairs, the bodega door was yanked open.
02:41Have you seen Laura Thorne? The woman from apartment three?
02:44Henderson blinked, wiping grease off his hands.
02:47Nora Thorne? She died five years ago.
02:50I watched Elias freeze for a beat, then let out a cold laugh.
02:53Who are you trying to fool? A woman like that doesn't just die. I'm not fooling anybody.
02:59Henderson pointed toward the mouth of the alley.
03:01Five years back, the victim's family from that boat surgery ambushed her in that alley and stabbed her 14 times.
03:07She died before the ambulance even arrived. What are you to her?
03:11The ease of his answer made something flicker in Elias' eyes.
03:15Confusion, maybe even pain I couldn't quite understand.
03:18But then his phone buzzed, stealing his attention.
03:23A message from Elena.
03:25Forget it, Elias. Nora still resents me.
03:27She'll just make excuses. Don't waste your energy on my account.
03:30I'll do the time. Just take care of yourself without me.
03:33That single text was all it took for Elias to decide my death was just another excuse to avoid helping
03:39them.
03:40His fingers trembled as he typed back.
03:42What right does she have to refuse? I gave her a fortune back then.
03:45When I need her, she'd better show up.
03:47Don't worry. I'll drag her back to take the rap. I won't let anything happen to you.
03:51The message sent.
03:53Elias looked up and glared at Henderson.
03:56Don't play games with me. She's hiding somewhere.
03:59Did she pay you off?
04:00Henderson sighed.
04:03Son, you think I joke about something like this? It was all over.
04:07News reports mean nothing.
04:09He stepped closer, his eyes full of threat.
04:12Tell her she has three days to show her face, or I'm cutting off her sister's treatment payments.
04:17Henderson opened his mouth to respond, but Elias cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand.
04:22Save it! Either she comes out, or you can start planning her sister's funeral.
04:27With that, Elias spun on his heel and left.
04:30The bodega door slammed shut.
04:32Henderson watched his retreating figure and shook his head.
04:35What sister?
04:36That poor girl died years ago when the money ran out.
04:40I floated nearby, staring at a plastic water bottle someone had kicked to the side.
04:45My soul feeling as cold as the liquid inside it.
04:48That money never reached me.
04:50While my sister lay in a hospital bed waiting for funds to save her life,
04:53Elena was using it to buy imported equipment.
04:55And while I bled out in that alley, he was accompanying Elena to a medical symposium.
05:00Now here he was, using a dead woman's name to threaten someone who'd been gone even longer.
05:07My soul seemed tethered to Elias, forcing me to follow him home.
05:11The moment he pushed open the door, Elena rushed over.
05:14Elias, how'd it go?
05:16Did you find Nora?
05:17Her face desperate with hope, Elias shook his head, his expression distant.
05:22No.
05:23And they're saying Nora's dead?
05:25What?
05:26She stumbled backward, her hand instinctively gripping Elias' arm.
05:31That's impossible.
05:33Is she...
05:35Is she just hiding from us?
05:37Making up stories to get out of helping?
05:40Elias frowned but said nothing.
05:42Seeing his hesitation, Elena quickly forced a pained smile.
05:45That has to be it.
05:47Nora must still be bitter about what happened five years ago.
05:50She doesn't want to help me, so she's feeding you lies.
05:53Elias, maybe we should...
05:54Forget it?
05:55I don't want to put you through this.
05:56I'll just face the board and take the charge...
05:58Elias stayed silent for a long moment before finally nodding.
06:02You're right.
06:03She must be hiding somewhere.
06:05But I'm not letting this go.
06:06I'll turn this city upside down if I have to.
06:08I'll find her and clear your name!
06:10Elena's eyes welled up.
06:12Elias, you're so good to me.
06:14Elias suddenly cut her off.
06:16His tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.
06:19But...
06:20If Nera's going to these lengths to avoid us,
06:22she must really be holding a grudge.
06:24Elena, this is the last time.
06:26Once she takes the fall for you and gets out of prison, we're done.
06:29We have to be.
06:30I stood there, so shocked I almost forgot I was a ghost.
06:34Elias was actually saying he wanted to end things with Elena.
06:37I still remembered how he'd fought with me tooth and nail over this woman years ago.
06:43We'd barely been married a year when Elena came back to the States and secured a position
06:48at the same hospital.
06:49From that day on, they carried on right under my nose.
06:52The moment I questioned it, he'd call me jealous and controlling.
06:56But now he was actually suggesting ending their affair?
06:59Elias didn't notice the way Elena's face went rigid.
07:02He turned away, his voice softening.
07:04I need to commit to my marriage eventually.
07:06I gave Nora money last time, but I've also strung her along for years.
07:11Truth is, I feel pretty guilty about it.
07:14Elena stared at him in disbelief.
07:18Elias, you don't want me anymore?
07:20His frown deepening.
07:21I don't know.
07:23Elias's eyes shifted away.
07:25Ever since I left Nora's apartment, I've had this sinking feeling in my gut.
07:30Like something terrible is about to happen.
07:32He paused, then his voice firmed up again.
07:35But I'm still going to help you with this.
07:36I won't let them destroy you.
07:38I'm going to find her right now.
07:40Just wait for me.
07:40With that, he turned and walked out, his stride full of determination and resolve.
07:46Elena stayed rooted in place.
07:48But when she watched him leave, that pitiful act vanished completely.
07:52I saw it clear as day.
07:54Her gaze was dripping with venom, cold and lethal.
07:57And the name she was grinding out between her teeth was mine.
08:02Desperate to find me, Elias's first thought was to check on my sister.
08:06I followed his car as it sped toward Metropolitan General.
08:10This route was burned into my memory.
08:12For years, my entire life had been a constant loop between the hospital and home.
08:17All those years, nothing ever changed.
08:20I watched Elias gun the engine.
08:23His jaw clenched tight the entire drive.
08:25No mystery there.
08:27He was obviously stressing over Elena's situation again.
08:30He barely threw the car into park before rushing into the inpatient wing,
08:34grabbing a nurse at the admissions desk.
08:36I need the room number for Lily Thorne.
08:38Oh, sure.
08:40The nurse blinked in confusion before dropping her eyes to search the records.
08:45Then a cold laugh cut through the air from nearby.
08:48Well, well.
08:49If it isn't Dr. Thorne, what brings you slumming to our little corner of the world?
08:54Elias's head whipped around, his expression darkening instantly.
08:57It was Dr. Julian Vance, a former attending physician from Elias's department.
09:03From what I knew, the two had been at each other's throats for years.
09:06For reasons I never understood, Julian had resigned shortly after my malpractice incident.
09:12Now, facing his old enemy, Elias looked him up and down with obvious disdain.
09:18Where I go is none of your business.
09:20Julian crossed his arms, a mocking smile playing at his lips.
09:24You're right, it's not.
09:25I'm just curious how someone can be this cold-blooded.
09:29You didn't show when they were dying, but now that they're both gone, you suddenly remember they exist?
09:34Dying?
09:36Elias's brow furrowed.
09:37What are you talking about?
09:39Elias looked genuinely confused, like he had no idea what Julian meant.
09:46But I knew exactly what Julian was referring to, mine and Lily's deaths.
09:51Five years ago, when I was stabbed in that alley,
09:53I was already coding by the time the ambulance arrived.
09:57The paramedics called Elias, hoping my husband could be there for my final moments.
10:02But he was with Elena at the time, too wrapped up in their little world to be bothered.
10:06He didn't even pick up, just hung up and blocked the number.
10:10When they kept calling, he sent it straight to voicemail.
10:14The same thing happened with Lily.
10:15When her insurance was denied, and the hospital issued a critical condition notice,
10:20they tried to reach Elias.
10:22But he was off on a romantic getaway with Elena.
10:25So my sister died completely alone, with no one by her side when she left this world.
10:30Watching Elias's bewildered expression, Julian stared at him for a few seconds.
10:35You're good at playing dumb, I'll give you that.
10:37I still don't understand what she saw in you that made you worth all that sacrifice.
10:41He left that cryptic remark hanging in the air and walked back to his office.
10:46Elias stood frozen, his fingers slowly, unconsciously clenching into fists.
10:51That was his nervous tell, something he only did when he was scared.
10:55But what could he possibly be afraid of?
10:59Dr. Thorne?
11:00The nurse's voice snapped him back to reality.
11:03The patient you're looking for?
11:05The nurse hesitated before continuing.
11:07Lily Tharn, she passed away three years ago.
11:12Elias's pupils dilated at those words, his entire body going rigid like he'd been struck by lightning.
11:21What did you say?
11:22Lily died?
11:23Three years ago?
11:24The nurse nodded nervously.
11:26According to the system records, it was spring three years ago.
11:29Stage 4 lung cancer with secondary infection.
11:32This is impossible.
11:34Absolutely impossible!
11:36Elias suddenly slapped his hands heavily on the counter, causing the patients in the waiting
11:41area to cast strange looks at him.
11:43But soon, he forced himself to calm down.
11:46As a medical practitioner, he knows well that the hospital's EHR system is error-free and will
11:53never be tampered with.
11:54He grabbed the nurse's wrist, his voice trembling.
11:58How could this possibly happen?
12:00Metropolitan General Hospital has the city's top oncology department.
12:04How on earth did she pass away?
12:06What's even more puzzling is...
12:08Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and his face instantly grew even paler.
12:14And I've been funding her medical account every single month.
12:17Elena told me just last week that Lily was doing great, that all her markers were improving.
12:21The nurse winced at his grip, but quickly pulled up the system records.
12:30Dr. Thorne, this account was closed three years ago.
12:34And according to the patient charts, her condition was never optimistic.
12:39There was no improvement at any point.
12:41During her hospitalization, she was mostly on generic paviative care.
12:47A woman came in several times, saying they needed to cut costs.
12:51So she discontinued the experimental treatments the doctors prescribed.
12:58Eventually, she stopped authorizing any treatments at all.
13:02Every word from the nurse's mouth felt like a blade carving into my chest.
13:06Elena!
13:07That monster!
13:08She knew that money was Lily's lifeline.
13:11And she still had the nerve to pocket it.
13:13After hearing the nurse's explanation, Elias started trembling all over.
13:18He obviously knew who was responsible.
13:21After all, besides Elena, no one else would have the audacity to touch his money.
13:26I figured he must be remembering the terms of our arrangement five years ago,
13:30when I agreed to take the fall for Elena's malpractice suit.
13:33My one condition, take care of my sister.
13:36He had sworn up and down he would.
13:38And now, Elias covered his face and crouched down.
13:42How could she?
13:43She promised me she'd make sure Lily was taken care of.
13:46How could she do this?
13:50Watching Elias fall apart like this, I felt not an ounce of sympathy.
13:54If he hadn't enabled her, turned a blind eye to everything.
13:57How would Elena have dared pull something like this?
14:00When it came down to it, they were just two of a kind.
14:05Suddenly, Elias shot to his feet.
14:07Something steely flashing in his eyes.
14:09He pulled out his phone, his fingers shaking so badly he could barely dial.
14:16Marcus, I need you to find someone for me.
14:18I heard a man's voice faintly through the speaker, asking who he wanted tracked down.
14:23Nora Thorne.
14:24Find out where she is.
14:25I need to see her immediately.
14:27Nora Thorne?
14:28Does Ms. Kane's case have some new development?
14:31Do you need to locate her urgently for that?
14:34No.
14:34Elias's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
14:37After a long pause, he finally said quietly,
14:40I just need to make things right.
14:42The car shot forward, tires screeching against the pavement.
14:46I floated in the passenger seat, watching Elias's rigid profile.
14:51Sunlight streamed through the window onto his face,
14:53revealing the fine lines at the corners of his eyes.
14:56Turned out five years had changed everyone.
14:59Nothing stayed the same.
15:00But he had no idea that the person he wanted to make amends to
15:04had died on a rainy night five years ago, bleeding out in an alley.
15:08What he owed me, what he owed Lily.
15:12Those were debts he could never repay in this lifetime.
15:17Elena was on the couch, and the moment she saw him,
15:20she plastered on that innocent expression.
15:25Elias, you're back.
15:27Did you find Nora?
15:29Elias didn't even acknowledge her question.
15:31He marched over and threw his briefcase onto the coffee table.
15:35Elena, what the hell happened with Lily?
15:39Elena's hand froze mid-sip, her brow furrowing.
15:43She's fine, isn't she?
15:44I've been transferring money for her treatment every month.
15:47Fine?
15:47Elias let out a cold laugh,
15:49pulling out his phone to show her the photo of the death certificate the nurse had sent.
15:53She died three years ago.
15:55You switched her medications, closed the account.
15:57Don't you dare tell me you didn't know.
15:59The date on the photo was crystal clear.
16:02Elena's face went white.
16:03She sat down her cup, wringing her hands nervously.
16:08Look, Elias, just let me explain.
16:10I didn't have a choice back then.
16:12My research grant got frozen.
16:14I thought I'd just borrow the funds temporarily,
16:16and once the clinical trial got approved, I'd pay it all back.
16:20Borrow, you make it sound so simple.
16:23Elias stepped closer, his eyes reddening.
16:26Lily was Nora's only family.
16:29When she agreed to take the fall for your lawsuit,
16:31her one condition was that we take care of her sister.
16:34How could you do this?
16:36Seeing that Elias was genuinely furious,
16:39Elena suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud.
16:42I know I was wrong, Elias.
16:45Please forgive me.
16:46By the time I tried to replace the money,
16:49I couldn't track her down anymore.
16:50I wasn't thinking straight.
16:53Watching her put on this pathetic performance made me sick.
16:57When she'd used my hush money to buy imported equipment all those years ago,
17:01I didn't see an ounce of guilt.
17:05The two of them remained locked in a standoff.
17:08Eventually, Elias was the first to break,
17:11letting out a heavy sigh,
17:13though his voice was thick with exhaustion.
17:15Forget it.
17:17Get up.
17:19This is my fault too.
17:20I shouldn't have handed you all the money
17:22without monitoring Lily's care myself.
17:25But just as she opened her mouth to speak,
17:28Elias cut her off.
17:30When she looked at him again,
17:31I saw something unmistakable in his eyes.
17:34Deep disappointment.
17:36Elena, I'll help you settle this mouth lock to suit.
17:39But once it's done, we're finished.
17:41I've wronged Nora enough.
17:43I can't keep doing this to her.
17:45Elena's head snapped up,
17:46panic flooding her face.
17:48But Elias didn't look at her again.
17:50Elias!
17:51He turned and walked away.
17:54He'd made it halfway down the hall when he suddenly stopped.
17:58His bag was still on the coffee table.
17:59He sighed and turned back.
18:04But just as he reached the foyer,
18:06he heard Elena's voice coming from the bedroom,
18:09low and vicious enough to make his blood run cold.
18:12I don't care what you have to do.
18:14Three days and she's gone.
18:16Only way I'm safe is if she's disappeared.
18:19We need to find Nora immediately.
18:21Whatever it takes, she has to disappear.
18:24Elias is getting colder towards me every day.
18:27As long as that she is still alive,
18:29he'll eventually leave me and go back to her.
18:32Elias stood frozen in the doorway,
18:34his entire body going rigid.
18:36I watched his lips tremble,
18:38but no sound came out.
18:40Then his phone suddenly lit up,
18:42a new message flashing across the screen.
18:44It was from the private investigator.
18:47Just four words.
18:48Nora Thorne is dead.
18:52I couldn't describe the look on Elias' face
18:54when he read that message.
18:56It was like the life had been drained out of him in an instant.
18:59He just turned and ran.
19:01He stumbled through the hallway,
19:03nearly twisting his ankle several times.
19:06Once he was in the car,
19:08a tear splattered onto the steering wheel.
19:10Then they came in streams.
19:12He wiped at his face with one hand,
19:14while the other pounded the steering wheel,
19:16nearly swerving into the guardrail.
19:18It's not possible.
19:21Nora can't be dead.
19:25She could take anything, survive anything.
19:28I sat in the passenger seat,
19:30watching him,
19:31watching those red-rimmed eyes.
19:33Those same eyes that had looked at me with contempt
19:36when I got fired from the hospital.
19:38Those same eyes that had been filled with impatience
19:41when I begged him on my knees to save Lily.
19:43So what good did his tears do now?
19:45He rushed to meet the investigator at a coffee shop.
19:48The moment he burst through the door,
19:50he grabbed Marcus' arm so hard his nails dug into his skin.
19:54It's fake, isn't it?
19:56Tell me it's fake.
19:57The death certificate is forged, right?
19:59She can't be dead.
20:01She can't be dead.
20:03Marcus sighed and shook his head,
20:05pulling a thick file from his briefcase
20:07and sliding it across the table.
20:10Dr. Thorne, I'm sorry for your loss,
20:12but this is real.
20:14The top page was stark in black and white,
20:17stamped with an official seal.
20:19Nora Thorne.
20:20Date of death.
20:21March 17th, five years ago.
20:23Cause.
20:24Exsanguination due to multiple stab wounds.
20:27Elias' hand recoiled from the paper like he'd been burned.
20:30But he quickly grabbed it again,
20:32his fingers trembling violently.
20:35Tears dripped onto the page,
20:36smudging the ink.
20:38This can't be real.
20:39He flipped through the rest of the documents.
20:42Police reports,
20:43cremation records from the funeral home.
20:45There was even a crime scene photo from the alley.
20:48Though blurry,
20:49you could make out the massive dark stain
20:51of dried blood on the pavement.
20:54The Miller family,
20:55the son from that botched surgery
20:56your wife took the fall for,
20:57they never got over it.
20:58The whole family had been holding a grudge.
21:01They didn't know Nora was covering for someone else.
21:04So when they heard she was out of prison,
21:05they tracked her down
21:06and cornered her in that alley late one night.
21:08They said they didn't mean to kill her,
21:09just wanted to teach her a lesson.
21:11But things escalated.
21:13Lost control,
21:14the knife just kept coming.
21:1613 stab wounds total.
21:18She died before the ambulance even got there.
21:22I watched Elias' face go completely white,
21:26the documents slipping from his hands
21:28and scattering across the floor.
21:30He covered his face,
21:31his shoulders shaking violently.
21:33Sobs pushed through his fingers,
21:35muffled and raw.
21:36It's my fault.
21:38I destroyed her.
21:40If I hadn't made her take the fall,
21:41she wouldn't have lost her job,
21:43wouldn't have gone to prison,
21:44wouldn't have...
21:44I floated beside him,
21:46listening to his confession,
21:47not sure what to feel.
21:49The ways he'd destroyed me
21:51went far beyond
21:51just making me take the fall.
21:53And he wasn't the only one responsible.
21:56He crouched down
21:57to gather the scattered papers,
21:59his fingers freezing
22:00when they touched
22:00the cremation certificate.
22:02He looked up at Marcus,
22:04a trace of desperate hope
22:05still in his eyes.
22:07Her sister.
22:08When Lily died,
22:10did Nora know?
22:11Marcus paused,
22:12then shook his head.
22:13Mrs. Thorne was already gone
22:14when her sister was still
22:16hanging on at the hospital.
22:19From what I heard,
22:20when the funding ran out,
22:21Lily didn't last much longer.
22:24Elias's sobs suddenly grew louder,
22:26like he was trying to cry out
22:27five years of guilt and regret
22:29all at once.
22:30He collapsed onto the table,
22:32his back heaving.
22:34Watching him fall apart like this,
22:35I suddenly found it almost funny.
22:38Marcus patted his shoulder awkwardly,
22:40but didn't say anything else.
22:42Everyone in the coffee shop
22:43was staring at him,
22:44some whispering and pointing,
22:46but he didn't care.
22:48I drifted toward the window,
22:49looking out at the gray sky.
22:51Five years ago,
22:52on that rainy night,
22:54when I was bleeding out in the alley,
22:56the sky had looked just like this.
22:58The last thought in my head back then
23:00wasn't about hating anyone.
23:02It was just guilt that I'd failed Lily,
23:04that I couldn't keep her alive.
23:06Now that Elias knew the truth,
23:08what did it change?
23:10The dead couldn't come back,
23:11and debts like these
23:13could never be repaid.
23:16Elias cried in that coffee shop
23:18for a long time,
23:19until he had no tears left,
23:22before finally standing up
23:23with swollen eyes.
23:25He walked unsteadily toward the door,
23:27shivering when the cold air hit him.
23:30I followed him outside,
23:32watching him stand at the curb
23:33like a lost ghost,
23:35not knowing where to go.
23:37After a long while,
23:38he finally pulled out his phone.
23:40His finger hovered over the screen
23:42for what felt like forever
23:43before he finally dialed Elena's number.
23:47Hello, Elis, where are you?
23:49I've been looking everywhere for you.
23:51Elias took a deep breath,
23:53his voice raw from crying.
23:55Elena, come meet me.
23:56We need to talk.
23:57Talk about what?
23:58Did you find Nora?
24:00You'll know when you get here.
24:03Elias didn't wait for her response.
24:04He hung up immediately.
24:06He found a bench in a nearby park
24:08and sat down,
24:10staring blankly at the dead leaves
24:11on the ground.
24:12I floated beside him,
24:14able to see the hollowness in his eyes.
24:16It wasn't long before Elena pulled up.
24:19She hurried over to Elias,
24:21her face plastered with a smile.
24:25Elias, Elias, what's going on?
24:27Did you find Nora?
24:28The medical board called again.
24:30Nora is gone.
24:32Elena's steps faltered.
24:33A flash of relief crossed her face
24:35before she quickly masked it
24:37with fet concern.
24:39Dead?
24:40How could...
24:41What are we supposed to do now?
24:42I don't have anyone to take the fall.
24:45She took the fall for your lawsuit
24:46and got fired.
24:48After she got out of prison,
24:50the Miller family cornered her in an alley
24:52and stabbed her 13 times.
24:53She died on the spot.
24:56Elena, she died because of you.
24:59But Elena acted like she hadn't even heard him,
25:01just kept wringing her hands anxiously.
25:03Her death doesn't solve anything.
25:05The board's investigation is getting more intense.
25:07You need to figure something out.
25:10Find someone else.
25:12Or we could tamper with the evidence.
25:14Elena!
25:15She's dead!
25:17Don't you feel even a shred of guilt?
25:19Elias's voice suddenly shot up.
25:21Elena blinked,
25:22then put on a show of regret
25:24with an exaggerated sigh.
25:27Of course I feel bad.
25:28I mean,
25:29we go back a long way.
25:32But this isn't the time for that, Elias.
25:34We need to protect ourselves first.
25:37Elias laughed,
25:37a bitter sound that came close to sobbing.
25:40Go back a long way?
25:41That's not what you were saying
25:42on the phone earlier.
25:43You said you had to find her.
25:46You said you were afraid I'd leave you
25:47and go back to her.
25:51You said you were going to have her killed.
25:55Elena's face went white as paper.
25:58Her lips worked soundlessly for a moment.
26:01Realizing she couldn't keep up the act,
26:03she suddenly stopped trying.
26:05She laughed instead,
26:06a harsh sound,
26:07and shrugged carelessly.
26:08Yeah, I said it.
26:09So what?
26:12Elias,
26:12I'm done pretending.
26:14As long as Nora was alive,
26:16she'd always have a place in your heart.
26:18We were high school sweethearts.
26:19We were meant to be together.
26:21Why should some washed-up doctor you married
26:23out of always be haunting our relationship?
26:25You said you loved me,
26:26said you'd stay by my side,
26:28but you think I didn't notice you spacing out
26:30whenever we were together?
26:30Now that she's dead,
26:32it's perfect.
26:33Elias,
26:34use!
26:34No one's standing between us anymore!
26:36We can start fresh!
26:37The sharp sound of a slap
26:39cut her off mid-sentence.
26:41Elias had struck her across the face
26:43hard enough to leave an immediate red mark.
26:46Elena,
26:46you make me sick.
26:48Don't act like you're better than me,
26:49Elias.
26:50You think your hands are clean?
26:52If you hadn't forced her to take the fall back then,
26:54would she be dead?
26:56You and I are exactly the same!
26:59Elias didn't respond.
27:00He just turned and walked away.
27:02Then suddenly he stopped,
27:03his back still to her,
27:05and said with deadly calm,
27:06Elena,
27:07I'm going to destroy you.
27:10After that day,
27:12Elias locked himself in his office
27:14for two straight days without sleep.
27:16His desk was buried under stacks of files,
27:19all Elena's dirty secrets,
27:21records of her falsifying patient charts years ago,
27:24digital audit trails showing
27:26she'd embezzled hospital endowment funds
27:28to buy imported equipment.
27:30And from this latest malpractice case,
27:32documentation of her negligent surgical procedures.
27:36His phone buzzed non-stop on the desk,
27:38Elena's name lighting up the screen over and over.
27:42She hadn't taken his warning seriously.
27:44His messages grew increasingly frantic.
27:47Elias, where are you?
27:49The board pulled the OR surveillance footage.
27:52You need to fix this.
27:53I said I was sorry.
27:55Don't abandon me.
27:56Elias picked up the phone,
27:58didn't even glance at it,
27:59and switched it to silent.
28:01He stared at the photocopy of Lily's medical file on his desk.
28:05In the picture,
28:06the young girl smiled shyly,
28:08her eyes exactly like mine.
28:10Back then,
28:11Lily used to say that once she got better,
28:14she'd bake a cake for her brother-in-law herself.
28:16At that thought,
28:18Elias' nails dug deep into his palm.
28:20I floated behind him,
28:22watching as he organized all the evidence into categories,
28:26labeled each section.
28:27With every file he processed,
28:29his expression grew darker,
28:31especially when he came across the records
28:34showing Elena had destroyed crucial medication logs
28:36to cover up this latest incident.
28:39His hand froze mid-air,
28:41his fingers trembling.
28:42You were rotten to the core all along.
28:45He murmured it low,
28:46like he was talking to Elena,
28:48or maybe just to himself.
28:52On the third evening,
28:53Elias packed all the materials into a black folder
28:56and drove to the district attorney's office.
28:58The security guard at the entrance recognized him and smiled.
29:01Dr. Thorne,
29:02you're on business?
29:03He nodded without speaking
29:05and walked straight past him.
29:06When he submitted the materials,
29:08the prosecutor looked at him with surprise.
29:10Dr. Thorne,
29:11this evidence-
29:12It's all real.
29:12Elias cut him off.
29:13Including the malpractice case from five years ago.
29:16The actual responsible party was Elena Kane,
29:19not Nora Thorne.
29:20The prosecutor paused,
29:22then signed his name on the intake form.
29:26We'll verify everything as quickly as possible.
29:28When he left the DA's office,
29:30it was already dark outside.
29:32Elias stood on the steps,
29:33looking at the streetlights flickering on in the distance,
29:36then suddenly crouched down,
29:39wrapped his arms around his knees,
29:40and cried.
29:42This time his sobs were quiet,
29:44but they carried a sense of complete release.
29:46I knew he'd finally done what he should have done all along.
29:50It wasn't long before sirens echoed
29:52through the medical staff apartments,
29:53when they took Elena away in handcuffs.
29:56She was still struggling and screaming.
29:59Elias!
29:59How dare you?
30:01You'll pay for this!
30:04Hospital staff gathered to watch.
30:06Someone muttered,
30:07Never liked that woman.
30:08She always acted like she was touchable,
30:10just because she was dating Dr. Thorne.
30:12I heard she killed several patients through negligence.
30:18On the day of sentencing,
30:20Elias didn't go to court.
30:21He sat in front of Lily's headstone instead,
30:24holding a bouquet of white lilies.
30:26The photo on the gravestone had faded slightly over the years,
30:29but the young girl's smile was still so pure.
30:33Elias' fingertips traced the edges of the photograph slowly,
30:37memorizing every feature.
30:39Lily, I'm sorry.
30:41I'm so late.
30:42I floated nearby,
30:44watching him set down the flowers
30:45and gently wipe the dust from the stone.
30:48In the distance,
30:49wind rustled through the trees,
30:51almost like my sister's laughter.
30:53The sentencing document arrived at Elias' office later.
30:56I glimpsed it over his shoulder.
30:58Elena had been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison
31:02for manslaughter,
31:03embezzlement,
31:03and obstruction of justice.
31:06Elias crumpled the paper into a ball
31:08and threw it in the trash.
31:09He stood at the window,
31:11watching the traffic flow below,
31:13his eyes hollow.
31:14I knew that even though Elena had been punished,
31:18some things could never come back.
31:20Just like I could never sit in the sun with my sister again,
31:23and he could never say,
31:24I'm sorry to me,
31:26and have me hear it.
31:27This whole nightmare was finally over.
31:31After dealing with Elena,
31:33Elias didn't go to the hospital
31:35or return to his condo.
31:37Instead,
31:38he drove back to the apartment
31:39he and I had once shared.
31:41Several bulbs in the hallway had burned out,
31:43leaving everything dim and shadowy.
31:46When he pulled out his keys to unlock the door,
31:48his hand hesitated.
31:50He hadn't touched this keychain in five years,
31:53surprised it still worked.
31:55Click, the door swung open.
31:58The dust inside was thicker than he'd imagined.
32:01Even the draft through the apartment kicked up clouds of it.
32:04Sunlight filtered through the grimy windows,
32:07revealing countless particles floating in the beams of light.
32:10He stood in the doorway,
32:12hesitating to step inside,
32:14like he was afraid of disturbing something.
32:16I floated in the center of the living room,
32:19watching him inch his way in,
32:21his gaze swept over the sofa,
32:23the one I'd saved three months of residency salary to buy.
32:26He'd said he wanted beige because it was practical,
32:29wouldn't show stains.
32:30One night,
32:31he'd come home late from a shift
32:33and curled up on it to sleep,
32:34then complained the next morning
32:36that it hurt his back.
32:38I'd laughed and promised to get a softer one
32:40with my next bonus,
32:41but before the money came through,
32:43we'd already fallen apart.
32:48Nora, why can't you just be reasonable?
32:50Elena just moved back.
32:51What's wrong with me helping her out a little?
32:52Helping her?
32:53You're bringing her coffee and Abzil at midnight,
32:55covering her night shifts.
32:56Where does that leave me?
32:57You're being possible, Nora!
32:58Those arguments seemed to still echo
33:00through the empty rooms.
33:02Elias' fingers traced the armrest of the sofa,
33:05finding a faint scratch mark,
33:07something I'd clawed into it with my nails
33:09during one of our fights.
33:11His fingertips trembled,
33:13and his eyes slowly reddened.
33:15He walked into the bedroom
33:16and pushed open the door
33:17he'd once kicked in anger.
33:19On the wall above the bed
33:21hung a yellowed wedding portrait.
33:23In the photo,
33:24I wore a white dress,
33:25my smile radiant.
33:27He stood beside me,
33:28grinning like an idiot.
33:30Back then, he used to say,
33:32When I make a tending position,
33:33we'll take new wedding photos.
33:34Sure, and we'll have Lily be the flower girl.
33:37Remembering those moments,
33:39I felt a sharp ache in my chest
33:40that caught me off guard.
33:42We really had been happy once.
33:44There had been warmth between us.
33:46Elias stared at the photo for a long time,
33:48then suddenly crouched down
33:50and buried his face in his hands,
33:52sobbing.
33:53His crying was quiet,
33:55like he was afraid someone would hear.
33:57But those muffled, choked sounds
33:59were somehow worse than screaming.
34:02I was wrong.
34:03Nora, I was so wrong.
34:06I never should have made you take the fall,
34:08never should have abandoned Lily,
34:09never should have...
34:10His words dissolved into heavier sobs.
34:15I floated behind him,
34:17watching as he pulled a pill bottle from his bag
34:19and shook out half the contents.
34:21White tablets.
34:22They were prescription sedatives
34:24he used to take for insomnia.
34:26The label had long since faded.
34:28He picked up a mug from the table,
34:30one of the matching,
34:31his and hers set we'd bought
34:32when we got married.
34:33He'd smashed his inner rage years ago.
34:36The one that remained was mine.
34:38He swallowed the pills one after another,
34:40gagging and retching,
34:41but never stopping.
34:43Elias, no!
34:44I instinctively tried to knock the mug from his hand,
34:47but my fingers passed straight through it.
34:49All I could do was watch him hurt himself,
34:52completely powerless to stop it.
34:53His eyes were red-rimmed,
34:55whether from crying or from the retching,
34:57I couldn't tell.
34:58But either way,
35:00this wasn't what I wanted to see.
35:02I might not love him anymore
35:03after everything he'd done,
35:05but I still wanted him to be okay.
35:07At least I didn't want him suffering because of me.
35:09But he didn't understand that.
35:11Elias walked to the window and pushed it open,
35:14breaking through the cobwebs.
35:16Wind rushed in,
35:17lifting his hair
35:18and sending a piece of paper fluttering from the table.
35:21It was the divorce petition I'd drawn up five years ago.
35:24My signature was at the bottom,
35:26but his was still missing.
35:28Back then,
35:29I thought once he signed,
35:30I'd be free.
35:31We'd both be free.
35:33I'd planned to take Lily and move to another city,
35:35start over.
35:36But before I could even give him the papers,
35:39the malpractice incident happened.
35:41Elias picked up the document,
35:43his fingertips tracing my signature.
35:45Tears dropped onto Nora Thorne,
35:47smudging the ink.
35:52See?
35:53I came back to you after all.
35:55He smiled through his tears.
35:57This time,
35:58I'm not looking for anyone else.
36:00Just you.
36:02Elias' face slowly drained of color.
36:04He swayed on his feet,
36:06gripping the windowsill to steady himself.
36:08He looked out toward the mouth of the alley,
36:10where sunlight was streaming in.
36:12Lily's probably still mad at me, isn't she?
36:15When I see her, I'll apologize.
36:18I'll get her that awberry cake she always loved.
36:22She was such a sweet girl.
36:25I'm sure she'll forgive me.
36:27I'm sorry, Lily.
36:29Gradually, his voice grew softer and softer
36:31as he slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
36:34His head tilted against his shoulder,
36:36his eyes still fixed on the window,
36:38just like all those times before,
36:40when he'd fallen asleep in my arms.
36:42I drifted closer,
36:44looking at his closed eyes.
36:45The wind kept blowing.
36:47The wedding photo on the table
36:48trembled slightly in the draft.
36:50The apartment was terrifyingly quiet,
36:53except for the old wall clock still ticking away,
36:56counting down debts that could never be repaid.
36:59I knew he'd finally come,
37:00with his belated apologies,
37:02with a lifetime of debts he could never settle.
37:05But Lily and I no longer needed them.
37:08The sunlight slowly shifted away from the alley.
37:10The apartment grew dark again.
37:13Dust still floated in the air.
37:14And here, finally, the story ended.
37:17The story ended.
37:18The story ended.
37:19The story ended.
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