- 4 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00But suddenly, Vincent caught a whiff of an unfamiliar perfume.
00:05He pushed her away forcefully, his gaze as cold as the Siberian winds.
00:12You are not Chloe. What are you doing here?
00:15Selina, struggling to contain her anger, lowered her head and spoke softly.
00:22Vincent, I was worried about you. You've turned down all business deals these past few days.
00:27I'm sure Chloe will come around soon.
00:32Hearing Chloe's name, Vincent's eyes grew even darker.
00:37Don't come here again without my permission.
00:40I don't want to cause misunderstandings with the media or within the family.
00:44Selina stared at him in disbeheath, her eyes wide.
00:48Vincent, we grew up together in Brooklyn. How can you just end things like this?
00:52Vincent didn't look at her, his gaze fixed on the wedding photo above the fireplace.
01:05We both have our own lives now. It's time to draw the line.
01:09I only love Chloe now and I won't do anything to hurt her.
01:13Hearing those words, Selina immediately tore off her facade and shouted in a high-pitched voice,
01:22This is impossible. Vincent, the person you love is me.
01:26All these years you've even betrayed that old cop for me, haven't you?
01:30How could you love Chloe? You're just feeling guilty.
01:33She doesn't love you. After learning the truth, she'd probably want to kill your whole family.
01:37You can't accept the fact that she dumped you.
01:42It turns out that the person who betrayed my father back then was not Luke,
01:48but Vincent, who claimed to avenge my father.
01:52My father had been tortured beyond recognition, with even his body desecrated.
01:57That was all Vince's idea.
02:01Vincent had stared blankly at my father's charred remains in the funeral home.
02:05I never imagined that this man, who had shared a bed with me for five years,
02:10was the one who truly killed my father.
02:13The warm and loving gestures from these years were nothing but his acts of atonement.
02:18I had foolishly thought it was sorrow and anger.
02:22It was utterly absurd.
02:25Hatred surged in my chest.
02:27Just as my hand reached for the glass, Vincent suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind,
02:33reeking of alcohol.
02:35He buried his face in my shoulder.
02:37Chloe, where have you been?
02:39I missed you. Let's go home, okay?
02:42Every time he got drunk, he would hold me like this,
02:46repeatedly telling me he loved me.
02:48His men always said that the terrifying godfather of the New York Mafia never lied,
02:55that he truly loved me.
02:57But now, it was all revolting.
03:00I expressionlessly helped him into the bulletproof Cadillac SUV.
03:06Vincent collapsed onto my lap, his furrowed brows finally relaxing, like a harmless child.
03:13Selena, what? Why can't it be me?
03:16Why aren't you by my side?
03:18I finally understood the names he muttered in his sleep on countless nights.
03:23Selena, the woman who had caused me to lose everything,
03:27was the one who remained his first love deep in his heart.
03:32It turns out, Vincent had never forgotten her.
03:36He even played along with me for her sake.
03:40I was too naive.
03:42Underestimating his obsession with Selena,
03:44The customized encrypted phone with the family crust slipped from his suit pocket.
03:49As I bent down to pick it up, a message popped up on the screen.
03:53An encrypted iMessage.
03:55Vincent, thank you for handling the East Coast Three Families dispute tonight,
03:59but I can't accept the underground territory you promised.
04:03It's too valuable.
04:04Immediately following that, Selena's Instagram post appeared,
04:07only a true queen can wear the crown.
04:10The picture was of a vintage ring with a ruby inlaid,
04:14said to be the heirloom of New York's oldest mafia family,
04:18symbolizing the highest underground power.
04:21I knew Selena had posted it for me to see on purpose.
04:25This week, Vincent had been seriously injured in a street shootout.
04:30A .38 caliber bullet had pierced his chest,
04:33but as soon as he regained his footing, he flew out of state.
04:37I was both worried and angry,
04:40thinking he was throwing his life away for the family business.
04:45It turned out, he was attending the family's internal succession ceremony.
04:51Even with a gunshot wound,
04:53he still fought for the ring that symbolized the highest power,
04:58intending to give it to his dream woman.
05:01In a moment of weakness, I typed in his phone's password.
05:06The last number pressed, and the screen lit up.
05:10It was indeed Selena's birthday.
05:13One day, Vincent never let me touch his personal devices,
05:17saying it was a family security rule.
05:20Once unlocked, Selena's smiling face in a couture gown appeared on the screen.
05:26No wonder every time he powered up his phone,
05:29his gaze would involuntarily soften.
05:32I opened the photo album,
05:34and it was filled with folders named after her.
05:39Selena Broadway
05:46Selina Hampton Estate
05:51Amidst the countless photos,
05:53every single one was of Selena at various family dinners.
05:58Not a single photo of me.
06:01Not even one of him.
06:03Just a Selena.
06:04It was as if his heart had always belonged to Selena,
06:10from the start to the end.
06:12The car pulled into the Long Island Mansion.
06:18I stared at the empty underground rock,
06:22a cold chill running down my spine.
06:25It had once displayed my father's police badge,
06:29and all the evidence from his undercover work.
06:33Proof of his twenty years infiltrating the mafia.
06:36Every time I saw it,
06:39it felt as though my father was still carrying out,
06:42that unfinished the mission.
06:45But one morning,
06:46those pieces of evidence,
06:48that could have toppled,
06:50underground families,
06:52suddenly disappeared.
06:54The FBI,
06:55claimed,
06:56they were anonymously destroyed.
06:58Vincent had held me,
07:01shattered,
07:02for three days,
07:03without sleeping.
07:04Now I understood.
07:07It was he,
07:08who had destroyed the last reminder,
07:11my father had left me.
07:13Another encrypted message popped up.
07:16Boss,
07:17as per your request,
07:18the trust documents are prepared.
07:21All the East Coast Underground Forces and control under your name,
07:25will be transferred to Miss Selena.
07:28Just waiting for you to contact the lawyer,
07:31for final confirmation,
07:32and signing.
07:34Through my blurry tears,
07:35it felt like I was a seeing that year again.
07:39At my father's funeral,
07:41he stood before me,
07:42in his sharp black suit,
07:45swearing,
07:46an oath.
07:47Chloe,
07:48I swear by God's name,
07:50I will give you a home.
07:51Everything I have is yours.
07:54I placed Vincent,
07:55on the bed,
07:56not bothering to take off his shoes,
07:59as I usually did.
08:01Instead,
08:02I went straight to the guest room.
08:04Before I closed my eyes,
08:06my mind was filled with memories,
08:08of how he had pampered me,
08:10over the years.
08:11The morning light,
08:12streamed through the floor to ceiling windows,
08:16and as I opened my eyes,
08:18I met Vincent's intense gaze.
08:20He leaned down,
08:21and placed a kiss on my forehead.
08:24Chloe,
08:25did something upset you last night?
08:27I'm sorry.
08:28I had too much to drink at the family meeting.
08:30I promise it won't happen again.
08:33His tenderness,
08:34was as constant,
08:35as ever.
08:37I responded quietly,
08:39and moved into the bathroom,
08:41to wash away his scent.
08:43The dining table was set with exquisite eggs,
08:47Benedict,
08:47and freshly brewed coffee.
08:50I would have been moved by it,
08:52before.
08:53But,
08:54after seeing his phone,
08:55I couldn't bring myself to smile anymore.
08:59The whole table,
09:00was filled with Selena's favorite dishes.
09:03The doorbell rang,
09:05and Selena entered,
09:06wearing the latest Chanel outfit.
09:09She naturally sat at the table,
09:12and smiled at me.
09:14Sorry to interrupt,
09:15Chloe.
09:15Vincent and I need to head to the docks,
09:18to finalize a shipment.
09:19He asked me to come for breakfast.
09:21I stared at the high security villa.
09:24Access card,
09:25she was holding in her hand.
09:28I didn't say a word.
09:30Vincent noticed something was off,
09:32and leaned in,
09:33to explain softly.
09:34Selena is our most trusted partner.
09:37Having the villa access,
09:38is completely normal.
09:40Before he finished speaking,
09:42he suddenly stood up,
09:44looking tense,
09:45and grabbed the black coffee,
09:47from Selena's hands.
09:49Your blood pressure is low.
09:50You can't have espresso.
09:52You still don't take care of yourself,
09:54after all these years.
09:55Yeah,
09:55thank goodness you always remember.
09:57Selena smiled slightly,
09:59her lips curling up.
10:01The moment their eyes met,
10:03it felt as though the air around us,
10:06had frozen.
10:06I stood up,
10:08to leave.
10:09But Selena called me.
10:12Chloe,
10:13the autopsy reconstruction today,
10:15requires professional imaging records.
10:17I don't trust,
10:18the new forensic pathologist.
10:21I hadn't touched a camera,
10:23looked through the viewfinder.
10:24I remembered,
10:25how my father had taught me,
10:27to capture crime evidence.
10:29I remembered his resentment,
10:31as he was tortured.
10:33I could now press the shutter again.
10:36Vincent knew,
10:37just all too well.
10:38He had locked all my photography equipment,
10:41in the storage room.
10:43Saying I could start again,
10:44whenever I was ready.
10:46But now,
10:48he unilaterally,
10:49pushed me into the backseat,
10:51of the Cadillac.
10:52Chloe,
10:53you know Selena gets car sick,
10:55in the backseat,
10:56so I'll make you sit back there.
10:57He forgot,
10:59that after several,
11:00assassination attempts,
11:02my claustrophobia,
11:03and dizziness,
11:04were far worse,
11:05than Selena's.
11:07The bumpy ride,
11:08made me feel nauseous.
11:10When we arrived,
11:12at the morgue,
11:12Vincent carefully checked,
11:14Selena's protective gear,
11:16and personally escorted her,
11:18into the restoration area.
11:20I clung to the car door,
11:22breathing heavily,
11:24trying to call my dizziness.
11:26Chloe,
11:27the reconstruction,
11:28is about to start.
11:29Don't act out.
11:31This recording,
11:32is crucial for Selena,
11:33and the entire family.
11:35The after effect,
11:36of trauma,
11:37washed over me,
11:38and my fingers,
11:39trembled uncontrollably.
11:41I forced myself,
11:43to stay calm,
11:44repeatedly documenting,
11:46the reservation process.
11:48During the break,
11:49only Selena and I,
11:51were left in the room.
11:53She looked at the images,
11:55on my camera,
11:56with disdain.
11:57Her lips curling,
11:58into a cold smile.
12:00Chloe,
12:01you're just as useless,
12:02as your dead cop father.
12:03You couldn't even keep,
12:04your undercover identity hidden,
12:06and yet you dared,
12:07to provoke the mafia.
12:08A rat from the slums,
12:10what makes you think,
12:11you're worthy of the New York Godfather?
12:14I grabbed the camera tightly,
12:16my knuckles,
12:17turning white,
12:18as I struggled,
12:19to suppress the anger,
12:20that threatened,
12:21to explode.
12:23Then,
12:24I heard a sharp slap.
12:26In an instant,
12:27my cheek burned.
12:29Selena,
12:30retracted her hand,
12:31her gaze filled,
12:32with contempt.
12:33You think,
12:34you can take the title,
12:35of wife?
12:36I never imagined,
12:37that after Luke dumped you,
12:38you'd climb into,
12:39Vincent's bed so quickly.
12:40You don't deserve him,
12:42whether it's Luke or Vincent,
12:43they'll always be mine.
12:44You'll never be worthy.
12:46She fell to the floor,
12:48immediately,
12:49adopting,
12:49a painful expression.
12:51Chloe,
12:52I didn't mean to say,
12:53your pictures were bad.
12:54I just wanted you,
12:55to try a different angle.
12:57Never mind.
12:59Vincent stormed in,
13:00and the bottle of water,
13:02in his hand,
13:03smashed on the floor.
13:04He rushed over,
13:05grabbed my chin,
13:06and slammed me to the ground.
13:09Vincent quickly,
13:10began checking,
13:11Selena's condition.
13:13Vincent,
13:14I'm fine.
13:14Don't blame Chloe.
13:16It's my fault.
13:16I lost my balance.
13:18Selena,
13:19you're too kind.
13:20No need to protect her.
13:22I saw everything.
13:24Vincent carefully,
13:25helps Selena up.
13:27His touch,
13:28as gentle,
13:29as if she were,
13:30a fragile piece,
13:31of porcelain.
13:32He held Selena,
13:34in his arm,
13:35and shot me a cold,
13:37pierced layer.
13:38This was the first time,
13:40in five years,
13:41of our marriage,
13:42that he looked at me,
13:43this way.
13:45Chloe,
13:45apologize to Selena.
13:47All these years,
13:48I've spoiled you,
13:50and now you have the nerve,
13:51to hurt someone in the family.
13:53Do you understand,
13:54how her injuries,
13:55will affect tonight's,
13:56business negotiations?
13:59Visa's furious eyes,
14:00were locked on me,
14:02but he completely,
14:03ignored,
14:04the clear handprint,
14:06on my face.
14:07I met his gaze,
14:08calmly.
14:09The one,
14:10who should apologize,
14:12is Selena.
14:13She insulted,
14:15my father.
14:17Vincent,
14:18don't you think,
14:18it's time you explained,
14:20what happened,
14:21with my father?
14:22A brief flicker,
14:23of panic,
14:25flashed in his eyes.
14:26Why are you making,
14:27a scene now,
14:28after all these years?
14:29I swore to Davis,
14:31that I would protect you,
14:32but only if you,
14:33didn't hurt Selena.
14:33I sneered,
14:35finally seeing,
14:37his true face.
14:38A wave,
14:39of dizziness,
14:40overwhelmed me,
14:41and I fell myself,
14:43topple backward.
14:44When I opened,
14:46my eyes again,
14:47the sharp scent,
14:48of disinfectant,
14:49hit me.
14:51The doctor,
14:52in the private hospital,
14:54was putting away,
14:55his death watch.
14:57Congratulations,
14:57Ms. Davis.
14:58You're pregnant.
14:59Your body seems healthy,
15:01but please take care of yourself,
15:03and avoid any emotional stress.
15:05Instinctively,
15:06I placed my hand,
15:08over my stomach.
15:09For five years,
15:11I had hoped,
15:12for a child,
15:13with Vincent.
15:14I never imagined,
15:16it would happen,
15:17at this moment.
15:19My iPhone buzzed.
15:21It was a message,
15:23from Vincent.
15:24The doctor says,
15:25you just need to rest.
15:26Once you apologize,
15:27to Selena,
15:28I'll have the driver,
15:29pick you up,
15:30and take you back,
15:30to Long Island.
15:31I scoffed,
15:32and threw my phone aside.
15:34Ms. Davis,
15:35the boss has arranged,
15:36another ultrasound,
15:38for you.
15:38Please follow me.
15:40As I followed,
15:41the nurse,
15:41down the hallway,
15:43I noticed,
15:43something odd.
15:45Selena's voice,
15:46suddenly rang out,
15:48behind me.
15:49Word is,
15:50you're pregnant,
15:51looks like I underestimated you.
15:52Do you know,
15:53why you couldn't get pregnant,
15:54all these years?
15:55I turned to face her,
15:57smug expression.
15:59Because I told Vincent,
16:00your child would become,
16:01his weakness,
16:02in the mafia wars.
16:03Those multivitamins,
16:05he hands you every morning,
16:06they're actually,
16:07long acting,
16:07birth control pills.
16:09Selena studied,
16:10my reaction carefully,
16:12waiting to see me crack.
16:14I simply replied,
16:16I know.
16:17Turning to head,
16:19toward the elevator,
16:20I suddenly felt,
16:21a powerful force,
16:22hit me from behind.
16:24I was caught off guard,
16:26and fell down,
16:27the long marble staircase.
16:30Excruciating pain,
16:31flooded my body,
16:32as I weakly stared,
16:34at the blood spreading,
16:35across the expensive carpet.
16:37I had lost my child.
16:39As I walked out,
16:41of the emergency surgery room,
16:43I placed the divorce agreement,
16:45drafted by the lawyer,
16:46on the pillow,
16:47of the hospital bed.
16:48Leaving the private hospital,
16:50I hailed a cab,
16:51straight to JFK,
16:52International Airport.
16:54Just before the plane took off,
16:56Vincent's final message,
16:57popped up.
16:58I never thought,
16:59you'd dare to show attitude,
17:00towards Selena.
17:01You have no manners,
17:03for a mafia godfather's wife.
17:05Put away your pride,
17:06and apologize.
17:07Now.
17:07I took out the sim card,
17:09from my phone,
17:10and casually tossed it,
17:11into the trash can,
17:12in the airport terminal.
17:13Vincent,
17:14who was enjoying wine,
17:15with Selena,
17:16at the Hampton estate,
17:17was suddenly interrupted,
17:18by his private line ringing.
17:21Boss,
17:22the wife is missing.
17:23There's a,
17:24document left on the bed,
17:25for you to review.
17:27Vincent's hand froze,
17:28as he poured wine,
17:29for Selena.
17:31What document?
17:33The nurse said,
17:34the wife left,
17:34in the early hours,
17:35and left behind,
17:36the divorce papers.
17:38Vincent gripped the phone,
17:40so tightly,
17:41that he almost,
17:42crushed the screen.
17:43He stood up abruptly,
17:45his face darkening,
17:47as if a storm,
17:48were about to hit.
17:50He could barely,
17:51believe his ears.
17:53Even though he knew,
17:54he had gone too far this time.
17:56Using a divorce threat,
17:57against the godfather,
17:58of the New York mafia,
18:00was unimaginable.
18:02Selena's eyes,
18:03flashed with a hint of mockery.
18:05But she gently grasped,
18:06the hem of his custom suit.
18:08Did something happen to Chloe?
18:10I'll go with you,
18:11maybe I can help.
18:12Vincent nodded impatiently.
18:14The two immediately,
18:16got into the bulletproof SUV,
18:18and headed,
18:19toward the private hospital.
18:21Inside the car,
18:22Selena's soft hand,
18:23caressed his chest.
18:25Don't worry,
18:26Chloe will be fine.
18:27Vincent was agitated,
18:29and with her,
18:30closed proximity,
18:31he felt a wave of unease.
18:33He furrowed his brows,
18:35and instinctively,
18:36pulled away from her touch.
18:38Responding coldly,
18:40with a hum.
18:41This was the first time,
18:42he had instinctively,
18:44rejected her closeness.
18:46Selena awkwardly,
18:47withdrew her hand,
18:48her newly manicured nails,
18:50digging into her palm.
18:52This was the first time,
18:54Vincent had treated her like this.
18:56Stealing a glance,
18:57at the dark,
18:58brooding profile,
18:59of the man beside her.
19:00A deep sense,
19:01of unease stirred in her.
19:03She quickly,
19:04sent a text,
19:05and received a response,
19:07from her subordinate.
19:08Don't worry,
19:09all traces,
19:10have been cleaned up.
19:12Inside the private hospital's,
19:14intensive care unit,
19:16the director,
19:17was anxiously pacing.
19:18The boss's wife,
19:20had mysteriously,
19:21disappeared,
19:22under their noses,
19:23and it left him,
19:24drenched in sweat.
19:26What happened?
19:28Wizard burst,
19:29through the door,
19:30and the temperature,
19:31in the room,
19:32seemed to drop,
19:33to freezing.
19:34The director,
19:35shakily handed over,
19:36the thick document,
19:38unable to meet,
19:39the furious gaze,
19:40of the mafia leader.
19:42Vincent,
19:43warily rubbed his temples,
19:44as he returned,
19:45to the Long Island mansion.
19:46Everything seemed normal,
19:48in the house.
19:49There were no signs,
19:50of Chloe's absence,
19:51and her clothes,
19:52in the wardrobe,
19:53hadn't been disturbed.
19:55Everything seemed unchanged.
19:57He collapsed,
19:57onto the leather sofa,
19:59in the living room,
20:00staring at the wedding photo,
20:02hanging above the fireplace.
20:03The newlyweds,
20:05stood on the courthouse steps,
20:07exchanging their Cartier rings.
20:09But if you looked closely,
20:10you could see the sadness,
20:12hidden deep in both our eyes.
20:14Now he finally understood,
20:15the source of that sadness.
20:17Because,
20:18at that time,
20:19his heart,
20:20had been set,
20:21on someone else.
20:23In the beginning,
20:24we were like two strangers,
20:26forced together.
20:27Cautious,
20:28and distant,
20:29from each other.
20:30Until that night,
20:31when,
20:32smelling of whiskey,
20:33he pinned me to the sofa,
20:35repeatedly calling my name.
20:37I shed his cold facade,
20:39and our scarred hearts,
20:40pressed close together.
20:42Since then,
20:43we had become the perfect couple,
20:45in New York's high society.
20:47Vincent began to care about me,
20:49without even realizing it.
20:51While still considering Selina,
20:53he would shield me,
20:54from bullets,
20:55during street battles,
20:56and he surprised me,
20:57on our wedding anniversaries.
20:59I remember once,
21:00after I was severely injured,
21:02in an assassination attempt,
21:03by a rival family.
21:05He carried me,
21:06running through more than 10 city blocks,
21:08fighting his way,
21:09through countless police,
21:10and mafia blockades.
21:12He always convinced himself,
21:14it was just out of duty and guilt,
21:16for the daughter,
21:17of the comrade.
21:18But now,
21:19looking at the empty room,
21:20he realized,
21:21that he had already fallen,
21:22deeply in love with Chloe.
21:24Yeah,
21:25thank goodness you always remember.
21:27Years of living,
21:28on the edge of danger,
21:30had taught him,
21:31to hide his true feelings.
21:33But in the everyday moments together,
21:36he had unknowingly fallen,
21:38for the stubborn,
21:39and brave girl.
21:43Vincent closed his eyes,
21:45in pain.
21:46Chloe's smiling face,
21:47flashing in his mind.
21:49He thought about,
21:50how she had collapsed,
21:51in the hospital,
21:52when she found out,
21:53she had miscarried.
21:54And his eyes,
21:56snapped open,
21:57gasping for breath.
21:59Staring at the medical,
22:00abortion report,
22:01in his hand,
22:03his heart felt,
22:04as if it were being,
22:05brutally sliced,
22:06by a blunt knife.
22:08His child,
22:09his and Chloe's child.
22:12It had turned,
22:13to blood and water.
22:18Vincent,
22:19don't be too upset.
22:20I'll always be here for you.
22:22With the familiar sound,
22:23of high heels,
22:25a pair of red painted nails,
22:28wrapped around his neck,
22:30Vincent's body tensed.
22:32For a moment,
22:33he instinctively thought,
22:35it was Chloe returning.
22:37He turned,
22:38and pulled the woman,
22:39into his arms.
22:44Chloe,
22:45you're back.
22:46Don't sign that agreement.
22:47I was the fool.
22:49Let me spend the rest of my life,
22:51making it up to you,
22:51okay?
22:52Selena's eyes,
22:54were filled with jealousy,
22:55almost overflowing.
22:57She never expected,
22:59Vincent,
23:00to mistake her,
23:01for Chloe.
23:02She couldn't believe,
23:04that the inconspicuous Chloe,
23:06held such an important place,
23:08in the mafia boss's heart.
23:10Feeling Vincent's tremble,
23:12Selena remained silent,
23:14letting him hold her tightly.
23:17Now,
23:18I would use my scalpel,
23:19to make sure,
23:20every life,
23:21swallowed by the darkness,
23:23would have its final dignity,
23:25and truth,
23:26revealed in the courtroom.
23:28For years,
23:29I had wanted to earn,
23:30my professional,
23:31Forenza license,
23:32but Vincent,
23:33always kept me locked,
23:35in a gilded cage,
23:37using the excuse,
23:38that the outside world,
23:40is too dangerous.
23:42One delay,
23:43after another,
23:44had turned my life,
23:45into nothing,
23:46but an accessory,
23:47to his own dot,
23:49in this marriage,
23:50full of lies.
23:51I was merely,
23:53controlled.
23:54But from now on,
23:55I would use these hands,
23:57to heal every battered body,
23:59and record every crime,
24:01that needed to be exposed.
24:03I would walk this path,
24:05of justice for myself,
24:07and for officer Davis.
24:09After completing,
24:10the final task,
24:12I sent photos,
24:13of the victim's key injuries,
24:14to an FBI agent,
24:16hoping it would help them,
24:18solve this organized murder case,
24:19quickly.
24:20Boss!
24:22The intel team,
24:23tracked the wife's IP.
24:25A source says,
24:26she was seen,
24:26at the forensic center,
24:27in Boston.
24:29Still hooked up,
24:30to an IV,
24:31Vincent yanked,
24:32the needle out,
24:33and quickly opened,
24:34the encrypted email,
24:35on his tablet.
24:37The image,
24:38of the woman,
24:38who haunted his thoughts,
24:40instantly grabbed his heart.
24:42He quickly,
24:43scanned through,
24:44several detailed,
24:45forensic reports,
24:47each one showcasing,
24:48remarkable,
24:49professionalism,
24:50and impressive,
24:51psychological resilience.
24:53He stared,
24:55at the signature,
24:55on the file,
24:57Chloe Davis,
24:58and said nothing,
24:59for a long while.
25:01Was he recalling,
25:02the false promises,
25:03he made to support,
25:05her career,
25:06or was he finally,
25:07realizing that,
25:08after leaving him,
25:10she had been reborn,
25:11and found her true,
25:13purpose in life.
25:14Prepare my private jet,
25:16immediately.
25:17I'm going to Boston.
25:19Make sure the men there,
25:20keep a close watch.
25:22She's my wife.
25:24Even in death,
25:25she is.
25:27Reluctantly,
25:29Selina tried,
25:30to throw herself,
25:30into his arms again.
25:32For the first time,
25:34Vincent saw Selina,
25:35in such a hysterical,
25:37and ugly light.
25:38His brows furrowed,
25:40and his eyes,
25:42filled with unfamiliarity.
25:43This was the woman,
25:45he once thought,
25:46was pew and flawless.
25:48His dream girl?
25:50Then why did she,
25:51abandon him,
25:52for money and power?
25:54All those years ago,
25:57choosing to fall,
25:58into another boss's arms.
26:00For years,
26:01he had guarded her,
26:03like a handle dog,
26:05while Selina,
26:06had naturally,
26:07enjoyed his protection.
26:08But now,
26:10Vincent suddenly,
26:11thought nothing but,
26:13disgust,
26:14for the woman,
26:14before him.
26:16The backup,
26:17encrypted phone,
26:18in his pocket,
26:19vibrated.
26:20A message,
26:21from the family hacker,
26:23appeared,
26:24with two,
26:25restored surveillance,
26:26footage files.
26:28Vincent pulled up,
26:30the footage,
26:31which contained,
26:32complete recordings,
26:33from the private hospital's,
26:35staircase,
26:36and the villa's garage.
26:38After watching,
26:39his expression,
26:41turned chillingly,
26:42cold.
26:43His gaze,
26:44as fierce,
26:45as a judge,
26:46passing judgment,
26:47on a traitor.
26:48He slowly,
26:49turned his head,
26:51fixing his glare,
26:52on Selina,
26:53who had turned pale,
26:55his voice,
26:56coming out,
26:57like it was,
26:58from the depths,
26:59of hell.
27:00What do you plan,
27:01to say about this?
27:02Vincent,
27:03clenched his fist,
27:05his knuckles,
27:06cracking.
27:06The fragile woman,
27:08he thought,
27:09needed protecting,
27:10had pushed his pregnant wife,
27:13down the stairs,
27:14and even,
27:15consplared with a doctor,
27:17to temper with his food.
27:19Not only,
27:20had she cruelly hurt his wife,
27:22but she had also murdered,
27:25his unborn child.
27:27He stared at Selina,
27:29coldly,
27:30as if she were nothing more,
27:32than a corpse.
27:33Selina frantically,
27:35squeezed out tears,
27:37attempting to grab his sleeve.
27:39It's not like that,
27:40the footage was fabricated,
27:42Chloe bribed the hacker,
27:43to frame me.
27:44She's jealous,
27:45of the trust you put in me,
27:46in business,
27:47and deliberately trying,
27:48to sow discord,
27:49between us.
27:50Shut up!
27:51Vincent's forehead,
27:52bowed with veins,
27:54and all his years,
27:56of gentlemanly restraint,
27:58vanished,
27:58in that moment.
28:00Still trying,
28:00to smear Chloe?
28:01She's too dignified,
28:03to play these dirty tricks.
28:04Selina,
28:05you've shamed,
28:06the entire mafia.
28:07Selina stared,
28:08at him in shock,
28:10knowing the truth,
28:11had been revealed.
28:12A malicious sneer,
28:14suddenly flashed,
28:16in her tear-filled eyes.
28:18Vincent,
28:19you don't believe me.
28:20You swore an oath,
28:21to me on the streets,
28:22and now you're going,
28:23to kill me,
28:23for that slut?
28:24A venomous hatred,
28:27flickered,
28:27in her eyes.
28:29Too bad,
28:29she knows all about,
28:30the dirty things you've done.
28:32Betraying her cop father,
28:34secretly giving her,
28:35birth control pills,
28:36even those photos,
28:37of me in your phone.
28:38She knows it all.
28:39Do you really think,
28:40she'll forgive the man,
28:41who destroyed her life?
28:42Vincent,
28:43you're a pathetic joke.
28:44You think you're so deep,
28:45but you don't even know,
28:46who you truly love.
28:48Now you've woken up,
28:49but it's too late.
28:50She'll never,
28:51ever look at you again.
28:52Vincent's eyes,
28:53were bloodshot,
28:55and the violent,
28:56killing intent,
28:57of the mafia boss,
28:59was released,
29:00without restraint.
29:02He suddenly,
29:03grabbed her,
29:04by the neck,
29:05pressing her,
29:07against the wall.
29:07Chloe won't leave me,
29:09she loves me so much,
29:10she'll never leave me.
29:11As soon as I,
29:13tear your fake face apart,
29:14and avenge our child,
29:15she'll come back to me.
29:17His voice,
29:18was rough,
29:19like sandpaper,
29:20scraping against metal.
29:22Selina's feet,
29:23dangled in the air,
29:25her face,
29:26turning purple,
29:27as she beat,
29:28against his iron like arm,
29:30in terror.
29:32Boss!
29:33Two bodyguards,
29:34rush in to stop him,
29:36but the motorer's aura,
29:38emanating from him,
29:40froze them,
29:40in their tracks.
29:42If you kill her now,
29:43the FBI,
29:44will be on your doorstep,
29:45immediately.
29:46Your wife,
29:47will only distance herself,
29:48from you even more.
29:49Vince's eyes,
29:51slowly regained some clarity,
29:53and he released his grep on her,
29:55as if tossing aside trash.
29:57Throw her,
29:58to the NYPD's,
30:00internal affairs,
30:01and send over the evidence,
30:02of her laundering money,
30:03for the rival family.
30:05I want her to rot in prison,
30:07for the rest of her life.
30:10Selina collapsed,
30:11on the Persian carpet,
30:13screaming in despair.
30:16No,
30:17you can't do this to me.
30:18Vincent,
30:18you swore,
30:19you promised you'd always protect me.
30:22Vincent,
30:22turned away expressionlessly,
30:25and the two bodyguards,
30:26immediately,
30:27drack the struggling woman away.
30:30The Long Island mansion,
30:32was shrouded,
30:34in suffocating silence.
30:37Still no record,
30:39of Chloe leaving the country?
30:40After receiving a negative response from his men,
30:45Vincent,
30:46warily,
30:47walked into the master bedroom,
30:49and buried his face,
30:51deep,
30:52in the pillow,
30:53where his wife had once slept.
30:55He carefully picked up,
30:57a strand of her long hair,
30:59that had fallen onto the sheets,
31:02and pressed it tightly to his chest.
31:04A hot tear,
31:06silently sleet down his cheek.
31:09Chloe,
31:09where are you?
31:11Vincent lay,
31:12where she often did,
31:14his mind slipping back,
31:16to those nights,
31:17when they slept,
31:18in each other's arms.
31:20She had always nestled,
31:22in his embrace,
31:23looking at him,
31:25with an unwavering trust,
31:27and admiration.
31:29Vincent suddenly sat up,
31:31gasping for breath.
31:35His chest felt,
31:37as though it had been hit,
31:38by a shotgun,
31:40the pain so intense,
31:41he could barely breathe.
31:43He quickly rushed downstairs,
31:45desperate,
31:46to escape,
31:47the house filled,
31:48with too many memories.
31:50The living room,
31:52the kitchen,
31:53the garden,
31:55every corner,
31:56was filled,
31:57with her presence,
31:58like sharp daggers,
32:00continually cutting,
32:01into his heart.
32:02The agony,
32:03was unbearable,
32:05almost,
32:06driving him insane.
32:08The mighty Godfather,
32:09of New York,
32:11sat on the steps,
32:12in front of the house,
32:14looking like a broken man,
32:16a far cry,
32:17from the powerful figure,
32:19he once was,
32:20until,
32:21a saddened downpour,
32:23drenched him completely.
32:25His towering,
32:26muscular body,
32:28finally gave way.
32:30His vision blurred,
32:32and he collapsed,
32:33into the mud,
32:35unconscious.
32:36Meanwhile,
32:37I was in a secret forensic lab,
32:40in Boston.
32:42Sweat,
32:42trickled down,
32:44under my protective mask,
32:46but my hands,
32:47remained steady.
32:48Every perfectly placed stitch,
32:51felt like continuing,
32:53my father's unfinished,
32:54pursuit of justice.
32:55Less than an hour later,
32:58Vincent arrived in Boston,
33:00standing outside,
33:00the forensic lab's glass door.
33:03His hand felt,
33:04as though it were filled,
33:05with lead,
33:06and he couldn't bring himself,
33:07to press the doorbell.
33:09In the end,
33:10the man who terrified,
33:11the east coast,
33:12simply slumped,
33:13against the red brick wall,
33:15silently sinking,
33:16to the ground.
33:17By the next morning,
33:19when the security staff,
33:20came to change shifts,
33:22they regretfully told him,
33:23that Chloe,
33:24had already submitted,
33:25her resignation,
33:26the previous night,
33:27and had left,
33:28the city.
33:29Vincent's heart,
33:30plunged into,
33:31an icy abyss.
33:33He stumbled,
33:34into the rented Ford SUV.
33:36Based on the last clue,
33:38from his network,
33:39of informants,
33:40he darted through,
33:41unfamiliar streets,
33:42like a madman,
33:43terrified,
33:44that he would miss the chance,
33:46to catch that fleeting light.
33:48In front of an old,
33:49Baptist church,
33:50on the outskirts,
33:51he slammed on the brakes,
33:52and froze in place.
33:54I stood,
33:55on the sun drenched steps,
33:57taking the final photograph,
33:59of an innocent boy,
34:00killed by gang crossfire.
34:02The sunlight,
34:03streamed through the stained glass,
34:05casting a holy halo,
34:06over my white lab coat.
34:08I carefully adjusted the focus,
34:11my face sat in a focused,
34:12calm expression.
34:14The independence,
34:15and resilience,
34:16that radiated from me,
34:17were qualities,
34:18Vincent had never truly understood,
34:20in the five years,
34:22we were together.
34:23Vince's haggard face,
34:25twisted into a smile,
34:26more painful than tears.
34:28He was stunned,
34:29by the sight of me,
34:31glowing in this moment,
34:32but also painfully aware,
34:34that he was about,
34:35to lose this beauty forever.
34:37After struggling,
34:38internally for a long time,
34:40he finally took,
34:41a heavy step forward,
34:42but didn't dare,
34:43to come too close.
34:44He stopped,
34:45by the fountain sculpture,
34:46watching from a distance.
34:48His voice trembled in the wind,
34:50heavy with regret.
34:52Chloe,
34:52I'm sorry.
34:54I was blind back then.
34:56I ruined everything.
34:58For the last five years,
34:59I've thought I only had,
35:01a responsibility toward you.
35:02It wasn't until you signed,
35:04that agreement,
35:04that I truly woke up.
35:06I've been in love with you,
35:07all this time,
35:08and it's driving me crazy.
35:10Without you,
35:10I wouldn't even know,
35:11how to breathe tomorrow.
35:12I regret it all.
35:14I truly regret,
35:15the awful things I've done to you.
35:17I owe you my life.
35:18And if you want to shoot me,
35:19go ahead,
35:20please,
35:21give me a chance,
35:22to stay by your side,
35:23and atone for what I've done.
35:25I'll give you control,
35:26of the entire family,
35:27all the money,
35:28and even my life.
35:29I don't want to be,
35:30the godfather anymore.
35:31I just want to be your husband,
35:33to protect you like I always did.
35:35Please don't send me away,
35:36okay?
35:37The church bells rang,
35:38and the organ played,
35:40a peaceful hymn.
35:41After what seemed like an eternity,
35:42I put down the camera,
35:44turned,
35:45and looked at him,
35:46my expression calm,
35:47as though I were gazing,
35:48at a stranger,
35:49who no longer mattered.
35:51For five years,
35:52I've lived like a fool,
35:53in your carefully woven,
35:55Truman Show,
35:55when I found out,
35:57the man I've been hugging,
35:58every day,
35:59was the one who killed my father.
36:00Do you have any idea,
36:02how much I hated myself?
36:03How could I have been so stupid,
36:05to fall in love,
36:06with a mafia thug,
36:07who has no regard,
36:08for human life?
36:09Looking at the face,
36:10that once made me fall,
36:11deeply in love,
36:13now gaunt and haggard,
36:14I felt the last remnants,
36:16of hatred in my heart,
36:18disappear with the autumn breeze.
36:20Perhaps everyone,
36:22has to fall once,
36:23in their life.
36:24You give your whole heart,
36:26to someone,
36:27only to be betrayed,
36:28at your most vulnerable moment,
36:31leaving you bleeding.
36:32I stood on the high steps,
36:35looking down at him,
36:36forcing out,
36:37a carefree smile.
36:40There was no emotion,
36:42left in my eyes Vincent,
36:43take your remorse,
36:44and go back to New York.
36:46I will never forgive you,
36:48under the harsh sunlight,
36:49of New England.
36:51Vincent felt,
36:52as though he had fallen,
36:53into an ice pit.
36:55A desperate,
36:56miserable smile,
36:57tucked at the corner,
36:58of his mouth.
37:00Chloe,
37:01but I really love you.
37:02His broken voice,
37:04like a dying sigh,
37:05was swallowed up,
37:07by the sound,
37:08of the church bells.
37:09I turned back around,
37:11raised the camera again,
37:13and started capturing,
37:14the mournful faces,
37:15of the mourners,
37:16in the church.
37:18The only person,
37:20I deliberately avoided,
37:22in my shots,
37:23was the man,
37:24standing by the fountain.
37:25His head bowed,
37:27his shoulders,
37:28shaking violently.
37:29This lady,
37:31could you please,
37:32make a frame,
37:32for a photo,
37:33of my son.
37:34An elderly,
37:35African American woman,
37:38tremblingly,
37:38handed me,
37:39a family photo.
37:40One that showed,
37:41the son she had lost,
37:43in the gunfight,
37:44of course.
37:44Ma'am,
37:45I smiled,
37:46and accepted,
37:47the photo,
37:48capturing the last,
37:49trace of warmth,
37:50in this cruel world.
37:52It reminded me,
37:54of 20 years ago,
37:55when Vincent,
37:56had just moved,
37:57next door.
37:58He had given me,
37:59my father's police badge,
38:00on the empty lot,
38:02behind the school,
38:02making a childish vow,
38:05to protect me,
38:06no matter,
38:06what happened.
38:09Back then,
38:11the boy's eyes,
38:12held no desire,
38:13for power.
38:14Only sincerity.
38:16But,
38:17it was that same boy,
38:18who later,
38:19pushed Officer Davis,
38:20straight into hell,
38:22suddenly.
38:22I felt warmth,
38:24behind me,
38:25the familiar scent,
38:26of Tom Ford Cologne,
38:27enveloping me,
38:28tightly.
38:29Vincent rushed,
38:30toward me,
38:31disregarding everything,
38:32and hugged me,
38:33from behind.
38:34His arms,
38:35tightened around me,
38:36as if I might,
38:37disappear into thin air,
38:39if he loosened his grip,
38:40he buried his face,
38:41in my neck,
38:42his voice trembling,
38:44with complete collapse,
38:45and pleading.
38:46Chloe,
38:47this is Boston,
38:48the place where we first met.
38:50Please,
38:51give me one last chance.
38:53Let me spend,
38:54the rest of my life,
38:55atoning.
38:56I'll give you,
38:57whatever you want.
38:58Just let me,
38:59stay by your side.
39:00Hot tears dropped,
39:02onto the cold back,
39:03of my hand.
39:04Their burning intensity,
39:06searing into my skin.
39:08I sighed softly,
39:10then carefully,
39:11pried his fingers off,
39:12one by one.
39:14My voice,
39:15was as cold as ice.
39:17Vincent,
39:18my greatest wish,
39:19in this life,
39:20is for you,
39:21to disappear,
39:22from my world forever.
39:24I broke free,
39:25from his arms,
39:26not looking back,
39:27as I walked down the steps.
39:29Getting into a taxi soon,
39:31I disappeared,
39:32into the crowded streets,
39:34of Boston.
39:36I don't know how long,
39:38he stood by the fountain,
39:40but by the time,
39:41the sunset,
39:42baited the sky,
39:43in red,
39:44Vincent's horse,
39:45hollow voice,
39:46finally drifted away,
39:48in the wind.
39:49I understand,
39:50Chloe,
39:51as you wish.
39:56Three months later,
39:57in a quiet monastery,
39:59on the outskirts of Boston,
40:01I was calmly performing,
40:02facial reconstruction,
40:04on the final,
40:05unidentified body.
40:06The nurse nearby,
40:08helping with the work,
40:09whispered to her colleague,
40:11her voice,
40:12barely audible.
40:13Did you see the news?
40:14The youngest mafia boss,
40:16from New York,
40:16just turned himself,
40:17into the FBI.
40:19He ever caught,
40:19obstructing justice,
40:21and a string,
40:23of money laundering charges.
40:25My god,
40:26a cold blooded killer,
40:27like him,
40:28actually had a moment,
40:30of conscience.
40:31I heard he's been sentenced,
40:32to life without parole.
40:34My hand holding the surgical needle,
40:36paused for a moment.
40:37I took off my rubber gloves,
40:39grabbed my phone,
40:40and tapped on the trending,
40:42headline on Twitter.
40:43The tough story,
40:44was a high definition image,
40:46of Vincent,
40:47handcuffed,
40:48being escorted,
40:49to court,
40:50by the FBI.
40:51Facing the flashing cameras,
40:53and the judge's verdict,
40:55he was dressed,
40:56in a suit,
40:56but his face,
40:57remained expressionless.
40:59His once sharp eyes,
41:00were now as dead as ash,
41:02devoid of any sign of life.
41:05Dr. Coy,
41:06your federal address.
41:08After signing,
41:09for the package,
41:09I opened the envelope,
41:11and two legal documents,
41:12slid out.
41:14One,
41:14was the court's,
41:15final divorce decree.
41:16The bottom right corner,
41:18marked with Vincent's elaborate,
41:20flowing signature,
41:21in English.
41:22The other,
41:23was an irrevocable,
41:24blind trust transfer,
41:26where he had donated,
41:27all his laundered legal assets,
41:29and substantial cash,
41:31to a charitable foundation,
41:33with me,
41:33listed as the sole beneficiary,
41:35and controlling party.
41:37At the bottom of the papers,
41:39tucked inside,
41:40was a letter scented,
41:42with his cologne,
41:43bearing his familiar handwriting.
41:45Chloe,
41:46this is the last thing,
41:48I can do for you.
41:50I promised you,
41:51I would completely,
41:52disappear from your world.
41:54May every day,
41:55of your life,
41:56be lived,
41:57in the sunlight,
41:58free,
41:58and without fear.
42:00A soft,
42:01relief smile,
42:02tugged,
42:03at the corner,
42:03of my lips.
42:04This time,
42:05he finally understood,
42:07what it meant,
42:08to truly let go.
42:09I struck a match,
42:10and tossed the letter,
42:11into the stainless steel burn bean.
42:13Watching as the flames consumed,
42:15the ridiculous,
42:16guilt-ridden past we shared.
42:18After all the trials,
42:20I had finally broken free,
42:22from the darkness,
42:23able to walk confidently,
42:25in the sunlight again.
42:27Continuing,
42:28my pursuit,
42:29of justice,
42:29and purpose.
42:31And,
42:32the once mighty,
42:33Godfather,
42:34of New York,
42:35would spend the rest of his life,
42:36in the coldest,
42:38darkest of prisons,
42:39slowly atoning,
42:40for his sins.
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