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Short filmTranscript
00:00Five years after my death, my doctor husband came looking for me again, to take the fall for his high
00:05school sweetheart's malpractice suit.
00:08He burst into my apartment clutching a forged confession, only to find dust-covered furniture and cobwebbed corners.
00:14In a panic, he grabbed the bodega owner downstairs and demanded to know where I'd gone. The owner told him
00:21the truth.
00:21Nora Tharch, she died five years ago. Word is the victim's family lost it after the case was dismissed.
00:28They quartered her in the alley one night and stabbed her 14 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.
00:52The 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.
01:27Never imagined the next time he'd seek me out would be to make me the fall guy for his high
01:32school sweetheart's new lawsuit.
01:36I had to hand it to them. He and Elena really were devoted to each other.
01:40Elias made two laps around the apartment, his eyes sweeping over the dust-covered sofa and cobwebbed windowsill,
01:47his lips curling with disgust.
01:48Quit 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. Get 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, I'd never appear before him the way I used to,
02:13because 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. The wood groaned under the impact, but inside, there was still nothing.
02:27Elias clicked his tongue in annoyance, searched the apartment one more time, and finally seemed to grasp that no one
02:33was actually here.
02:35Muttering under his breath, he slammed his way out. Downstairs, 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 fourteen 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. Confusion, maybe even pain I couldn't quite understand.
03:18But then his phone buzzed, stealing his attention.
03:23A message from Elena.
03:24Forget it, Elias. Nora still resents me. She'll just make excuses. Don't waste your energy on my account. I'll do
03:31the 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.
03:39His fingers trembled as he typed back.
03:42What right does she have to refuse? I gave her a fortune back then. When I need her, she'd better
03:46show 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. Did she pay you off?
04:01Henderson 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? That 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.
04:49While 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? Did you find Nora?
05:17Her face desperate with hope, Elias shook his head, his expression distant.
05:22No. And 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.
05:46That 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.
05:52Elias, 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 chance...
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.
06:11Elias, you're so good to me.
06:14Elias suddenly cut her off, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.
06:19But if Nora's going to these lengths to avoid us, she 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.
06:33Elias was actually saying he wanted to end things with Elena.
06:36I still remembered how he'd fought with me tooth and nail over this woman years ago.
06:42We'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.
07:17Elias, you don't want me anymore?
07:20His frown deepening.
07:21I don't know.
07:23Elias' 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, but when she watched him leave, that pitiful act vanished
07:51completely.
07:52I saw it clear as day.
07:53Her gaze was dripping with venom, cold and lethal, and the name she was grinding out between
07:58her teeth was mine.
08:02Desperate to find me, Elias' 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, he was obviously stressing over Elena's situation again.
08:30He barely threw the car into park before rushing into the inpatient wing, grabbing a nurse at
08:35the 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, if it isn't Dr. Thorne, what brings you slumming to our little corner of the world?
08:54Elias' head whipped around, his expression darkening instantly.
08:58It was Dr. Julian Vance, a former attending physician from Elias' department.
09:03From what I knew, the two had been at each other's throats for years.
09:07For 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.
09:25You're right, it's not.
09:26I'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
09:33they exist?
09:34Dying?
09:36Elias' brow furrowed.
09:37What are you talking about?
09:39Elias looked genuinely confused.
09:42Like he had no idea what Julian meant.
09:46But I knew exactly what Julian was referring to.
09:49Mine and Lily's deaths.
09:51Five years ago, when I was stabbed in that alley, I was already coding by the time the ambulance
09:56arrived.
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.
10:16When her insurance was denied and the hospital issued a critical condition notice, they tried
10:20to reach Elias, but 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' 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.
11:08Lily Tharn.
11:09She passed away three years ago.
11:12Elias' 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,
11:39causing the patients in the waiting area to cast strange looks at him.
11:43But soon, he forced himself to calm down.
11:47As a medical practitioner, he knows well that the hospital's EHR system is error-free and will never be tampered
11:54with.
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.
12:42During her hospitalization, she was mostly on generic paviative care.
12:47A woman came in several times, saying they needed to cut costs.
12:52So 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, that monster.
13:09She knew that money was Lily's lifeline, and she still had the nerve to pocket it.
13:14After 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.
13:37He had sworn up and down he would.
13:39And 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.
13:58How would Elena have dared pull something like this?
14:00When it came down to it, they were just two of a kind.
14:04Suddenly, Elias shot to his feet.
14:07Something steely flashing in his eyes.
14:10He 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, find 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.
14:35Elias' 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' 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.
15:01But 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.
15:09What he owed me, what he owed Lily,
15:11Those 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.
15:32He 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.
15:58Don't you dare tell me you didn't know.
15:59The date on the photo was crystal clear.
16:02Elena's face went white.
16:04She set 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,
16:17and once the clinical trial got approved, I'd pay it all back.
16:21Borrow?
16:21You 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,
16:32her one condition was that we take care of her sister.
16:35How could you do this?
16:36Seeing that Elias was genuinely furious,
16:40Elena suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud.
16:42I know I was wrong, Elias.
16:45Please forgive me.
16:47By 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.
17:16Forget it.
17:17Get up.
17:19This is my fault, too.
17:20I shouldn't have handed you all the money without 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,
17:32I 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, panic flooding her face.
17:48But Elias didn't look at her again.
17:50Elias!
17:52He 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.
18:00He sighed and turned back.
18:04But just as he reached the foyer,
18:06he heard Elena's voice coming from the bedroom.
18:10Low and vicious enough to make his blood run cold.
18:13I don't care what you have to do.
18:15Three days, and she's gone.
18:17Only 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, but no sound came out.
18:40Then his phone suddenly lit up.
18:42A new message flashing across the screen.
18:45It was from the private investigator.
18:47Just four words.
18:49Nora 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.
19:00He just turned and ran.
19:01He stumbled through the hallway,
19:04nearly 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,
19:17nearly swerving into the guardrail.
19:19It's not possible.
19:22Nora 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.
19:49The moment he burst through the door,
19:50he grabbed Marcus' arm so hard his nails dug into his skin.
19:55It's fake, isn't it?
19:56Tell me it's fake.
19:57The death certificate is forged, right?
19:59She can't be dead.
20:04Marcus sighed and shook his head,
20:05pulling a thick file from his briefcase
20:08and 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,
20:33his fingers trembling violently.
20:35Tears dripped onto the page,
20:37smudging the ink.
20:38This can't be real.
20:40He flipped through the rest of the documents.
20:42Police reports,
20:43cremation records from the funeral home.
20:46There was even a crime scene photo from the alley.
20:49Though blurry,
20:50you could make out the massive dark stain
20:52of dried blood on the pavement.
20:54The Miller family,
20:55the son from that botched surgery
20:57your wife took the fall for,
20:58they never got over it.
20:59The 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,
21:06they 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.
21:23I watched Elias' face go completely white,
21:26the documents slipping from his hands
21:28and scattering across the floor.
21:30He covered his face,
21:32his shoulders shaking violently.
21:34Sobs pushed through his fingers,
21:36muffled and raw.
21:37It's my fault.
21:39I destroyed her.
21:40If I hadn't made her take the fall,
21:42she wouldn't have lost her job,
21:43wouldn't have gone to prison,
21:44wouldn't have...
21:45I floated beside him,
21:46listening to his confession,
21:48not sure what to feel.
21:49The ways he'd destroyed me
21:51went far beyond just making me take the fall.
21:53And he wasn't the only one responsible.
21:56He crouched down to gather the scattered papers,
21:59his fingers freezing
22:00when they touched the cremation certificate.
22:03He looked up at Marcus,
22:04a trace of desperate hope still in his eyes.
22:07Her sister.
22:09When Lily died,
22:10did Nora know?
22:11Marcus paused,
22:12then shook his head.
22:14Mrs. Thorne was already gone
22:15when her sister was still hanging on at the hospital.
22:20From what I heard,
22:21when the funding ran out,
22:22Lily didn't last much longer.
22:24Elias' sobs suddenly grew louder,
22:26like he was trying to cry out
22:28five years of guilt and regret all at once.
22:31He collapsed onto the table,
22:32his back heaving.
22:34Watching him fall apart like this,
22:36I suddenly found it almost funny.
22:38Marcus patted his shoulder awkwardly,
22:40but didn't say anything else.
22:42Everyone in the coffee shop was staring at him,
22:45some whispering and pointing,
22:47but he didn't care.
22:48I drifted toward the window,
22:50looking out at the gray sky.
22:52Five years ago on 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,
23:05that I couldn't keep her alive.
23:07Now that Elias knew the truth,
23:09what did it change?
23:10The dead couldn't come back,
23:12and debts like these could never be repaid.
23:17Elias cried in that coffee shop for a long time,
23:20until he had no tears left,
23:22before finally standing up with swollen eyes.
23:25He walked unsteadily toward the door,
23:28shivering when the cold air hit him.
23:30I followed him outside,
23:32watching him stand at the curb like 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
23:44before 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.
23:57We need to talk.
23:57Talk about what?
23:59Did you find Nora?
24:01You'll know when you get here.
24:03Elias didn't wait for her response.
24:05He hung up immediately.
24:07He found a bench in a nearby park
24:09and sat down,
24:10staring blankly at the dead leaves on the ground.
24:13I floated beside him,
24:15able to see the hollowness in his eyes.
24:17It 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?
24:28Did you find Nora?
24:29The medical board called again.
24:31Nora is gone.
24:32Elena's steps faltered.
24:34A flash of relief crossed her face
24:36before she quickly masked it with vet concern.
24:39Dead?
24:40How could...
24:41What are we supposed to do now?
24:43I don't have anyone to take the fall.
24:45She took the fall for your lawsuit and got fired.
24:48After she got out of prison,
24:50the Miller family cornered her in an alley
24:52and stabbed her 13 times.
24:54She died on the spot.
24:57Elena, she died because of you.
24:59But Elena acted like she hadn't even heard him,
25:02just kept wringing her hands anxiously.
25:04Her death doesn't solve anything.
25:05The board's investigation is getting more intense.
25:08You need to figure something out.
25:11Find someone else?
25:13Or we could tamper with the evidence?
25:15Elena!
25:16She's dead!
25:17Don't you feel even a shred of guilt?
25:19Elias's voice suddenly shot up.
25:22Elena blinked,
25:23then put on a show of regret with an exaggerated sigh.
25:28Of course I feel bad.
25:29I mean, we go back a long way.
25:33But this isn't the time for that, Elias.
25:35We need to protect ourselves first.
25:37Elias laughed,
25:38a bitter sound that came close to sobbing.
25:40Go back a long way?
25:41That's not what you were saying on the phone earlier.
25:43You said you had to find her.
25:46You said you were afraid I'd leave you and go back to her.
25:52You said you were going to have her killed.
25:56Elena'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,
26:13I'm done pretending.
26:15As long as Nora was alive,
26:17she'd always have a place in your heart.
26:18We were high school sweethearts.
26:20We were meant to be together.
26:21Why should some washed-up doctor you married out of
26:24always be haunting our relationship?
26:26You said you loved me,
26:27said you'd stay by my side,
26:28but you think I didn't notice you spacing out
26:30whenever we were together?
26:31Now that she's dead,
26:33it's perfect.
26:34Elias,
26:34use!
26:35No one's standing between us anymore!
26:37We can start fresh!
26:38The sharp sound of a slap
26:40cut her off mid-sentence.
26:42Elias had struck her across the face
26:44hard enough to leave an immediate red mark.
26:46Elena,
26:47you make me sick.
26:48Don't act like you're better than me,
26:50Elias.
26:51You think your hands are clean?
26:52If you hadn't forced her to take the fall back then,
26:55would 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,
27:04his back still to her,
27:05and said with deadly calm,
27:07Elena,
27:07I'm going to destroy you.
27:11After that day,
27:13Elias 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.
27:25Digital audit trails showing she'd embezzled
27:27hospital endowment funds to buy imported equipment.
27:31And from this latest malpractice case,
27:33documentation of her negligent surgical procedures.
27:36His phone buzzed non-stop on the desk,
27:39Elena's name lighting up the screen over and over.
27:42She hadn't taken his warning seriously.
27:45His messages grew increasingly frantic.
27:47Elias,
27:48where are you?
27:50The board pulled the OR surveillance footage.
27:52You need to fix this.
27:54I said I was sorry.
27:55Don't abandon me.
27:57Elias picked up the phone,
27:59didn't even glance at it,
28:00and switched it to silent.
28:02He stared at the photocopy of Lily's medical file on his desk.
28:05In the picture,
28:07the young girl smiled shyly,
28:08her eyes exactly like mine.
28:11Back then,
28:12Lily used to say that once she got better,
28:14she'd bake a cake for her brother-in-law herself.
28:17At that thought,
28:18Elias' nails dug deep into his palm.
28:21I floated behind him,
28:22watching as he organized all the evidence into categories,
28:26labeled each section.
28:28With every file he processed,
28:30his expression grew darker,
28:32especially when he came across the records
28:34showing Elena had destroyed crucial medication logs
28:37to cover up this latest incident.
28:39His hand froze mid-air,
28:41his fingers trembling.
28:43You were rotten to the core all along.
28:46He murmured it low,
28:47like he was talking to Elena,
28:48or maybe just to himself.
28:52On the third evening,
28:54Elias packed all the materials into a black folder
28:56and drove to the district attorney's office.
28:59The security guard at the entrance recognized him and smiled.
29:02Dr. Thorne, here on business?
29:04He nodded without speaking,
29:05and walked straight past him.
29:07When he submitted the materials,
29:09the prosecutor looked at him with surprise.
29:11Dr. Thorne, this evidence...
29:12It's all real.
29:13Elias cut him off.
29:14Including the malpractice case from five years ago.
29:17The actual responsible party was Elena Cain,
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.
29:29When he left the DA's office,
29:30it was already dark outside.
29:33Elias stood on the steps,
29:34looking at the streetlights flickering on in the distance,
29:37then suddenly crouched down,
29:39wrapped his arms around his knees,
29:41and cried.
29:42This time, his sobs were quiet,
29:44but they carried a sense of complete release.
29:47I knew he'd finally done what he should have done all along.
29:51It wasn't long before sirens echoed through the medical staff apartments,
29:54when they took Elena away in handcuffs.
29:57She was still struggling and screaming.
29:59Elias!
30:00How dare you?
30:02You'll pay for this!
30:04Hospital staff gathered to watch.
30:07Someone muttered,
30:07never liked that woman.
30:09She always acted like she was touchable,
30:10just because she was dating Dr. Thorne.
30:12I heard she killed several patients through negligence.
30:19On the day of sentencing,
30:21Elias didn't go to court.
30:22He sat in front of Lily's headstone instead,
30:25holding a bouquet of white lilies.
30:27The photo on the gravestone had faded slightly over the years,
30:30but the young girl's smile was still so pure.
30:33Elias' fingertips traced the edges of the photograph slowly,
30:37memorizing every feature.
30:40Lily, I'm sorry.
30:41I'm so late.
30:43I floated nearby,
30:45watching him set down the flowers
30:46and gently wipe the dust from the stone.
30:48In the distance,
30:50wind rustled through the trees,
30:51almost like my sister's laughter.
30:54The sentencing document arrived at Elias' office later.
30:57I glimpsed it over his shoulder.
30:59Elena had been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for manslaughter.
31:03Embezzlement and obstruction of justice.
31:06Elias crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it in the trash.
31:10He stood at the window,
31:11watching the traffic flow below,
31:13his eyes hollow.
31:15I 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.
31:24And he could never say,
31:25I'm sorry to me and have me hear it.
31:28This whole nightmare was finally over.
31:32After dealing with Elena,
31:34Elias didn't go to the hospital or return to his condo.
31:37Instead, he drove back to the apartment he and I had once shared.
31:41Several bulbs in the hallway had burned out,
31:44leaving everything dim and shadowy.
31:46When he pulled out his keys to unlock the door,
31:49his hand hesitated.
31:51He hadn't touched this keychain in five years,
31:54surprised it still worked.
31:56Click.
31:57The 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.
32:05Sunlight filtered through the grimy windows,
32:07revealing countless particles floating in the beams of light.
32:11He stood in the doorway,
32:13hesitating to step inside,
32:14like he was afraid of disturbing something.
32:17I floated in the center of the living room,
32:20watching him inch his way in.
32:21His gaze swept over the sofa,
32:24the one I'd saved three months of residency salary to buy.
32:27He'd said he wanted beige because it was practical,
32:30wouldn't show stains.
32:31One night, he'd come home late from a shift
32:33and curled up on it to sleep,
32:35then complained the next morning that it hurt his back.
32:38I'd laughed and promised to get a softer one with my next bonus.
32:42But before the money came through,
32:44we'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?
32:53Helping her?
32:53You're bringing her coffee and Abzil at midnight,
32:56covering her night shifts.
32:57Where does that leave me-
32:57You're being possible, Nora!
32:59Those arguments seemed to still echo through the empty rooms.
33:03Elias' fingers traced the armrest of the sofa,
33:06finding a faint scratch mark,
33:08something I'd clawed into it with my nails during one of our fights.
33:12His fingertips trembled,
33:13and his eyes slowly reddened.
33:15He walked into the bedroom and pushed open the door he'd once kicked in anger.
33:20On the wall above the bed hung a yellowed wedding portrait.
33:24In the photo, I wore a white dress, my smile radiant.
33:28He stood beside me, grinning like an idiot.
33:31Back then, he used to say,
33:32When I make a tending position, we'll take new wedding photos.
33:35Sure, and we'll have Lily be the flower girl.
33:38Remembering those moments,
33:39I felt a sharp ache in my chest that caught me off guard.
33:43We really had been happy once.
33:45There had been warmth between us.
33:47Elias stared at the photo for a long time,
33:49then suddenly crouched down and buried his face in his hands,
33:53sobbing.
33:54His crying was quiet,
33:56like he was afraid someone would hear.
33:58But those muffled, choked sounds were somehow worse than screaming.
34:02I was wrong.
34:04Nora, I was so wrong.
34:06I never should have made you take the fall,
34:08never should have abandoned Lily,
34:10never should have...
34:11His words dissolved into heavier sobs.
34:16I floated behind him,
34:18watching as he pulled a pill bottle from his bag,
34:20and shook out half the contents.
34:22White tablets.
34:23They were prescription sedatives he used to take for insomnia.
34:26The label had long since faded.
34:29He picked up a mug from the table,
34:31one of the matching,
34:32his and hers set we'd bought when we got married.
34:34He'd smashed his inner rage years ago.
34:37The one that remained was mine.
34:38He swallowed the pills one after another,
34:41gagging and retching, but never stopping.
34:43Elias, no!
34:45I instinctively tried to knock the mug from his hand,
34:47but my fingers passed straight through it.
34:50All I could do was watch him hurt himself,
34:52completely powerless to stop it.
34:54His eyes were red-rimmed,
34:56whether from crying or from the retching,
34:58I couldn't tell.
34:59But either way,
35:01this wasn't what I wanted to see.
35:02I might not love him anymore after everything he'd done,
35:06but I still wanted him to be okay.
35:08At least I didn't want him suffering because of me.
35:10But he didn't understand that.
35:12Elias walked to the window and pushed it open,
35:15breaking through the cobwebs.
35:17Wind rushed in,
35:18lifting his hair
35:19and sending a piece of paper fluttering from the table.
35:22It was the divorce petition I'd drawn up five years ago.
35:25My signature was at the bottom,
35:27but his was still missing.
35:29Back then,
35:29I thought once he signed,
35:31I'd be free.
35:32We'd both be free.
35:33I'd planned to take Lily and move to another city,
35:36start over.
35:37But before I could even give him the papers,
35:39the malpractice incident happened.
35:42Elias picked up the document,
35:43his fingertips tracing my signature.
35:46Tears dropped onto Nora Thorne,
35:48smudging the ink.
35:52See?
35:54I came back to you after all.
35:56He smiled through his tears.
35:58This time,
35:59I'm not looking for anyone else.
36:01Just you.
36:03Elias's face slowly drained of color.
36:05He swayed on his feet,
36:07gripping the windowsill to steady himself.
36:09He looked out toward the mouth of the alley,
36:11where sunlight was streaming in.
36:13Lily's probably still mad at me, isn't she?
36:16When I see her,
36:17I'll apologize.
36:19I'll get her that awberry cake she always loved.
36:23She was such a sweet girl.
36:26I'm sure she'll forgive me.
36:28I'm sorry, Lily.
36:30Gradually,
36:30his voice grew softer and softer
36:32as he slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
36:35His head tilted against his shoulder,
36:37his eyes still fixed on the window,
36:39just like all those times before,
36:41when he'd fallen asleep in my arms.
36:43I drifted closer,
36:44looking at his closed eyes.
36:46The wind kept blowing.
36:48The wedding photo on the table
36:49trembled slightly in the draft.
36:51The apartment was terrifyingly quiet,
36:54except for the old wall clock still ticking away,
36:57counting down debts that could never be repaid.
37:00I knew he'd finally come,
37:01with his belated apologies,
37:03with a lifetime of debts he could never settle.
37:06But Lily and I no longer needed them.
37:09The sunlight slowly shifted away from the alley.
37:11The apartment grew dark again.
37:13Dust still floated in the air.
37:15And here,
37:16finally,
37:17the story ended.
37:18So you,
37:19The soul of the sea.
37:20Thepical story of the Seeking Bay.
37:20The space is on the right.
37:20The feeling of nothing.
37:20You should go.
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