- 14 hours ago
The Phoenix's Revenge
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00It's Frostfall Eve on the Polar Transit Route, 30 degrees below zero, and my husband Cassian just kicked our three
00:06-year-old daughter out of his Hover SUV.
00:09All because his pure-blood, white lioness lover's daughter didn't want to sit with a dirty blood cub.
00:15When the vehicle pulled over on the frozen Skyway shoulder, I thought Cassian just needed a quick stop.
00:21Aurora is asleep. Don't wake her.
00:24Cassian didn't even look back. He just tapped the steering wheel.
00:26Serafina, take Aurora and get out.
00:30What?
00:31Cassian, it's fine. We can just squeeze in.
00:33But her daughter, Alara, started screaming.
00:35No! I won't sit with that dirty feather cub. She's shivering. She's smelly. I can't stand bird smells.
00:42Did you hear that? Get out.
00:46Vita is on her way. She'll be here in 30 minutes. Just wait here.
00:50I held my three-year-old daughter and watched him drive away.
00:53The Hover SUV's taillights faded into the whiteout storm until they were gone.
00:58Aurora whispered.
01:00Mommy, where's daddy?
01:01Under her collar, the tiny flame beneath Aurora's heart flickered unevenly.
01:05The faint golden feather marks along her collarbone burned too hot beneath my palm.
01:10For a phoenix cub, that was not a fever.
01:13It meant her heart flame was fighting the cold.
01:16Her cub status band began to pulse with an amber warning light.
01:20Daddy, went to grandma's first. Auntie Vita is coming to get us.
01:26Serafina? What?
01:28She was at a frostfall party.
01:30Vita, Cassian told you to pick us up. Where are you?
01:33Just wait. I'll come later.
01:35Vita, it's freezing! Aurora can't stay out here!
01:39My brother said Vivalain and Alara can't be out in the cold. They had to get home.
01:43You're just waiting. It's not like you'll die.
01:45Aurora shivered in my arms. Her little fingers curled weakly against my coat.
01:49Mommy, I want to go home.
01:53My heart broke.
01:55Soon, baby. We'll be home very soon.
01:58After four years of marriage, I never knew Cassian could be this cruel.
02:03To dump his wife and child on a polar skyway because another woman's kid called us dirty.
02:08Because my daughter carried bird blood instead of pure frost lion blood.
02:13Suddenly, headlights appeared.
02:16I waved like crazy.
02:18A black hover SUV pulled over.
02:24A black hover SUV pulled over.
02:30Need a hand?
02:31Please, can you give us a ride to the next transit station?
02:36Get in.
02:37Thank you. Thank you so much.
02:40I reached for the door, but then a voice stopped me.
02:43Serafina?
02:43Serafina? What are you doing here?
02:46Where's my brother?
02:47It was Rowan, Cassian's brother.
02:50I quickly told him everything.
02:51Rowan's face turned pale with rage.
02:53Is he insane? He left you and Aurora here?
02:56So Vivian's daughter matters, but his own doesn't?
03:00Owen, let them in. We'll squeeze.
03:02There's no room.
03:03The driver said, looking worried.
03:05You guys go. I'll wait here.
03:07Rowan pushed me toward the seat.
03:09Aurora's lips are turning blue.
03:10She can't stay in the cold another second.
03:12Under the dim cabin light, the little flame beneath Aurora's heart shrank with every shallow breath.
03:18The golden sheen on her tiny feather marks had dulled a little.
03:23Rowan, it's freezing out there.
03:24What about you?
03:26I'm a grown frost lion.
03:28I can handle a little cold.
03:30Take care of the cub first.
03:31Just go!
03:32The Hover SUV started.
03:34I looked through the back window.
03:36Rowan stood there alone in the whiteout storm.
03:38His figure grew smaller and smaller.
03:43Aurora fell asleep in my arms, but her face had turned a terrifying shade of ash and white.
03:51Sir, can you go any faster?
03:53My daughter's freezing.
03:54Her heart flame is going out.
03:56The driver nodded and stepped on the accelerator.
03:58I tried to call Veda again.
04:00No signal.
04:01The polar transit route was a dead zone.
04:03How much longer to the transit station?
04:0520 kilometers.
04:06At least 30 minutes.
04:09I held Aurora tighter.
04:10She was getting colder by the second.
04:12The little heart flame beneath her chest fluttered too fast.
04:16Then suddenly sank low.
04:17She opened her eyes weakly.
04:19Suddenly, she started coughing.
04:21Her lips turned a deep, sickly blue.
04:24The fire veins on her wrist flickered from warm gold to a faint, sickly ash gray.
04:29Please, please go faster.
04:30I'm trying.
04:31This is as fast as it goes.
04:33The root is pure ice.
04:34I unzipped Aurora's coat.
04:36Her chest was heaving.
04:37The tiny feather marks along her throat glowed once, their gold light thinning into a dying thread.
04:43Aurora, look at mommy.
04:45Don't close your eyes.
04:47I'll tell you a story about the little phoenix who crossed the snowstorm ramming to find the sun.
04:53I began pounding on the vehicle window like a mad woman.
04:57Help!
04:58My daughter is dying!
04:59Somebody help us!
05:09But on the polar route, there was nothing but wind and snow.
05:13Finally, the hover SUV pulled into a transit station.
05:17Is there a medic?
05:19My daughter is dying!
05:20Help us!
05:22There's no medic here.
05:23Call one!
05:24Now!
05:25The signal tower was destroyed by the whiteout.
05:27We can't get a call out.
05:29My legs came out.
05:30I almost collapsed.
05:31The station owner searched through the back and found some medicine.
05:35Try this.
05:36Aurora lay on my lap.
05:37Her breath was so faint, it felt like it could snap at any second.
05:43The tiny flame beneath her heart barely stirred now.
05:45Her phoenix marks had turned dull, like embers buried under ash.
05:50I tried to feed her, but she didn't even have the strength to swallow.
05:53The owner couldn't watch anymore.
05:55I'll drive you to the nearest med station, but the route might be blocked.
05:59Go!
05:59We have to go now!
06:02The hover SUV crawled through the deep snow.
06:04With every bump, Aurora's body grew limp.
06:07Her cub status band kept flashing amber-red faster and faster.
06:12Aurora, you said you wanted to see the solar lights, remember?
06:16Mommy will take you.
06:18We'll take the fastest star train, all the way to the arctic ring.
06:25Her eyelashes fluttered, but she never opened her eyes.
06:28Suddenly, my wristband vibrated.
06:30Signal.
06:31With trembling hands, I dialed Cassian's hologram call.
06:35It rang for a long time.
06:36Finally, he picked up.
06:38Hello?
06:38The background was quiet and peaceful.
06:41The sound of a warm home.
06:43Cassian.
06:44Aurora is sick.
06:45It's bad.
06:46Really bad.
06:48Where are you?
06:49On the way to a med station.
06:51Please, you have to come.
06:53Serafina.
06:53Didn't Via pick you up yet?
06:55She didn't come!
06:56She never showed up!
06:59Impossible.
06:59She just posted an update saying she's on her way.
07:02I opened the hologram projection on my wristband.
07:05Beta's latest post from ten minutes ago.
07:07The location tag was at exit 87 on the interstellar transit lane, 112 kilometers away from us.
07:14She hadn't moved an inch.
07:16She was lying to you.
07:17And she was lying to me.
07:19Vida will be there soon.
07:20Just wait a little longer.
07:22We can't wait.
07:23Aurora is dying.
07:24Our daughter is dying, Cassian!
07:26Under my coat, the little flame beneath Aurora's heart trembled once.
07:30Barely moving after that, her fire veins had faded to a thin ash gray line.
07:35Serafina, it's Frost All Eve.
07:37Don't say such unlucky things.
07:38No one is dying.
07:39Viviana and Alara just arrived, and my mom is very happy.
07:43Don't ruin the mood.
07:44Just go to the hospital when Vida gets there.
07:46Cubs get sick all the time.
07:47She's not going to die.
07:48He hung up.
07:49As the projection faded, my blood turned to ice.
07:52The station owner looked at me through the rearview mirror.
07:55Your husband?
07:57Scumbag.
07:58Hang on tight.
08:00I'm taking a shortcut.
08:01We're not letting this baby die.
08:05The Hover SUV turned onto a mountain roof.
08:09Aurora's breathing was almost gone.
08:10I checked her heartbeat.
08:12It was so weak, it felt like an illusion.
08:14The last golden thread in her fire veins flickered once, then faded under the amber alarm.
08:19I pulled a button-sized emergency beacon from my inner pocket.
08:23My father had given it to me.
08:25He said that once I pressed it, his people would arrive within three hours.
08:29But three hours.
08:30Finally, we reached the nearest med station.
08:32I burst into the emergency room, clutching Aurora.
08:36Cold-induced respiratory failure.
08:38Heart rate is dropping.
08:39Her heart flame is collapsing.
08:41Prepare for resuscitation.
08:42I was stopped outside the emergency room.
08:45Through the glass, I watched the medics intubate Aurora and hook her up to the monitors.
08:50The dying spark beneath her chest trembled under the oxygen mask.
08:54She looked like she could vanish at any second.
08:57I collapsed in the corner, shaking, and my wristband rang again.
09:03Cassian.
09:04Serafina, where are you?
09:06My mom is waiting for dinner.
09:08The med station.
09:10Aurora is being resuscitated.
09:12What?
09:13Why are you at a med station?
09:15Where's Vida?
09:16She never came.
09:18Impossible.
09:18She just messaged me saying she picked you up.
09:20He sent me a screenshot.
09:22It was a blurry photo from 20 minutes ago.
09:24In the passenger seat was a woman's back wearing an article of clothing just like mine.
09:29She's lying, Cassian.
09:30Come to the med station.
09:31Now.
09:32Are you lying just because you're jealous of Vivian?
09:35Our daughter is still being resuscitated, and you think this is jealousy?
09:40What else?
09:41Cassian, if Aurora dies today, I will never forgive you as long as I live.
09:45Why would Vida need to lie to me?
09:47Whatever, Serafina.
09:48That's your choice.
09:49The call disconnected.
09:50I listened to the dial tone and slowly slid down to the floor.
09:56The ER door swung open.
09:59We saved her, but her heart flame stayed unstable-less in for too long.
10:02Combined with oxygen deprivation caused significant brain damage.
10:06It could affect her cognitive development.
10:08She might even face permanent papalysis.
10:11The world went black.
10:12I leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing.
10:15How is that possible?
10:17She's so small.
10:21She's just a cub.
10:23We did our best.
10:25You need to admit her now.
10:28The follow-up treatments won't be cheap.
10:30I walked to the payment kiosk, moving like a ghost.
10:33I tapped my wrist against the sensor.
10:35Red light flashes insufficient funds.
10:39Cassian only gave me 3,000 credits a month, claiming it was more than enough for a child.
10:44I called him, my hands trembling.
10:46What now?
10:47Aurora needs surgery.
10:49I need 50,000 credits.
10:51Now.
10:5250,000?
10:53Do I look like an ATM to you?
10:55Cassian, she is your daughter!
10:57Are you going to transfer the money or not?
10:59No.
10:59If you're so capable, earn it yourself.
11:02After Frostan, we're filing for divorce.
11:05The house is mine.
11:06You didn't put a credit in, so you get nothing.
11:08I stood there, staring at the clerk through the glass.
11:11Can you start the treatment first?
11:13I'll pay you back, I promise.
11:15I'm sorry.
11:16Facility policy.
11:17No deposit, no admission.
11:19I walked out of the med station and stood in the freezing snow.
11:23My hologram flared to life.
11:25It was Rowan.
11:26Serafina!
11:27Where are you?
11:27Cassian said Vita picked you guys up.
11:29Rowan, do me a favor.
11:31Anything.
11:31If anything happens to me, take care of Aurora.
11:35What are you talking about?
11:36I have no money.
11:38Aurora has no hope.
11:39I can't keep her either.
11:41Just put her in the adoption system.
11:43At least she'll live.
11:44Serafina!
11:45Don't do anything reckless!
11:46Where are you?
11:47I'm coming now!
11:49Don't bother.
11:50I cut the connection and killed the hologram.
11:52I walked back to the ward.
11:54I'm sorry, baby.
11:55In the next life, don't be mine.
11:58The med station roof was a blur of wind and snow.
12:01From the edge, the world below looked tiny.
12:04One step and the pain would finally end.
12:07I closed my eyes and let myself fall forward.
12:10Suddenly, a hand gripped my wrist.
12:15Suddenly, a hand gripped my wrist.
12:16A violent tug pulled me back.
12:18I collapsed onto the ground and looked up.
12:21Several men in black tactical coats stood before me.
12:26Their leader, a man in his 50s, removed his sunglasses.
12:29Serafina.
12:32Dad.
12:33I was rushed onto a medical transport pod.
12:36Aurora was carried in right behind me, immediately taken over by a team of flight medics.
12:40Her heart flame core is collapsing.
12:42Intracranial pressure is spiking.
12:44We need to operate now.
12:47Contact the Orbital Hospital.
12:49Open the new surgery green channel.
12:51Put the solar flame regeneration team on standby.
12:54My father held my hand.
12:55I'm sorry, Serafina.
12:57Dad was too late.
13:00I'm so sorry.
13:01Dad, I thought you were just an ash farm worker back on the volcanic colony.
13:06He faltered, a bitter smile touching his lips.
13:08An ash farm worker?
13:10That was a lie.
13:12You were so determined to marry Cassiel.
13:14I was afraid that if he knew we were wealthy, he'd only marry you for the money.
13:18So I played poor for four years.
13:20I thought as long as he treated you well.
13:23It didn't matter if we lived simply.
13:25But I never imagined.
13:27He looked at the unconscious Aurora, tears finally falling.
13:30I never imagined they could be this heartless to abuse my granddaughter like this.
13:37The medical transport pod landed on the roof of Aurelia Orbital Medical Center.
13:42Aurora was rushed straight into surgery.
13:47The best specialist, the cutting-edge equipment, everything was ready.
14:03He hung up and sat beside me.
14:07Serafina, I'm giving you two choices.
14:09First, divorce him.
14:11Take the money and take Aurora Broad.
14:13Never look back.
14:14Second, stay.
14:17Watch the Auroville family crumble.
14:19Watch Cassian crawl to his knees and beg for your mercy.
14:25I thought for a moment.
14:27The second one.
14:28But I have one condition.
14:30Name it.
14:31Prepare two bionic decoys.
14:33One identical to me, and one identical to Aurora.
14:36Make them look like they froze to death on the side of the polar transit route.
14:40Dress them in the clothes we wore today, and put her cub status band on the decoy.
14:44You want to?
14:45I want them to think I'm dead.
14:46Then, I want to see exactly how they celebrate.
14:49I want to watch them throw a party while Aurora and I are dead.
14:53My father remained silent for a long time before nodding,
14:56Fine.
14:57The bionic decoys were incredibly lifelike.
15:00One large, one small, lying in the snow on the polar transit route.
15:05When found, they were already frozen solid.
15:08An automated patrol drone discovered them and flagged the nearest transit police unit.
15:12Based on the ID found on the body, the police contacted Cassian.
15:16The call came through while the Aurovale family was having Frostfall dinner.
15:20The table was overflowing with food, filled with laughter.
15:24Vivian sat next to Cassian, putting food on his plate.
15:28Grandma!
15:30Isolde beamed.
15:31Vivian is so much better.
15:33Even the daughter she raised is well-behaved.
15:36Unlike that brat Serafina had.
15:38Always crying, never obedient.
15:41An absolute nuisance.
15:43Cassian's wristband vibrated.
15:45He glanced at it, frowning.
15:47The police? Hello?
15:48Is this Mr. Cassian Aravil?
15:50Is your wife Serafina currently on the polar transit route with your daughter?
15:53Yes, why?
15:55We found two bodies by the roadside.
15:57Preliminary assessment suggests they froze to death.
16:00The female victim has an ID card identifying her as Serafina.
16:04There is also a female child, approximately three years old.
16:07We need you to come and identify them.
16:12What did you say?
16:13Sir, your wife and daughter, they didn't make it.
16:17The dinner table fell silent.
16:19Isolde asked,
16:20Who is it?
16:20Calling during the holidays, it's bad luck.
16:25Serafina and Aurora, frozen to death?
16:28By the time Cassian reached the morgue, his legs were like jelly.
16:31The police led him into the cold storage room.
16:34The drawer pulled open, revealing two bodies, one large, one small.
16:38The larger one was wearing my down jacket, her hair matted, her face scarred with frostbite.
16:43The small one was curled up in her arms, looking as if she were merely asleep.
16:47Faint frost covered the tiny golden feather marks along her collarbone.
16:51The place where her heart flame should have burned was dark.
16:54Is it them?
16:55Cassian opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
16:57He reached out, wanting to touch my face, his hand shaking violently.
17:01It's impossible.
17:03Vita said she went to pick them up.
17:05The officer pulled up the records on his terminal.
17:08We checked the automated polar route logs.
17:11Your sister's hover SUV never even entered the route.
17:14She drove in circles around the city before heading home.
17:18Furthermore, the victim's final outgoing call was to you.
17:23It was at 7pm last night.
17:25She told you the child was sick and begged for help.
17:28You said, you said if you're so capable, earn it yourself.
17:33I thought, I thought she was lying.
17:36And if you had known, would you have gone?
17:43There was a heavy silence.
17:45Cassian had no answer.
17:46The morgue doors swung open as Isolde burst in.
17:50She froze for a moment upon seeing the bodies, then collapsed onto the floor, wailing and slapping her thighs.
17:57Oh, my granddaughter, my poor baby.
18:00How could you leave me like this?
18:03Son, this is actually a good thing.
18:05It's a blessing in disguise.
18:07Now that Serafina is dead, you can finally marry Viviana.
18:10Mom, that was my daughter.
18:12Your granddaughter.
18:14So what if she was your daughter?
18:15She's dead now.
18:16This is perfect.
18:17Now we don't have to worry about splitting the Assex in a divorce.
18:20Even the officer couldn't stand it anymore.
18:22Ma'am, these are two lives we're talking about.
18:25What about them?
18:27This is family business.
18:28It's none of your concern.
18:30Let's go.
18:31Vivian is still waiting for us to finish dinner.
18:33Cassian allowed himself to be pulled away for a moment.
18:36Then he looked back at the cold storage unit.
18:38Wait.
18:39He shook off his mother's hand and walked back.
18:41He knelt beside the bodies for a long time.
18:43Then he reached out, gently smoothing the hair and straightening the clothes on the decoy.
18:48Serafina, I'm so sorry.
18:50I was wrong.
18:51I really...
18:53I didn't know it would end like this.
18:55Why are you apologizing to her?
18:57It's her own fault for having such a short life.
19:00She deserved it.
19:01Shut up!
19:02Cassian stood up and addressed the officer.
19:04I'm taking the bodies back.
19:06I'm going to hold a grand funeral.
19:11Two flickering lamps stood by the Oroville estate entrance.
19:15The viewing room was in the side hall, right next to the room I lived in, before.
19:18Vivian and Alara had already moved into the master suite.
19:23The whole house was busy catering to them, but Cassian...
19:26He sat in the viewing room guarding the caskets.
19:29Two cryo caskets side by side, cold and silent.
19:33Veda showed up once.
19:34He kicked her out.
19:35Cassian, I didn't mean it.
19:36I was just out with friends and lost track of time.
19:39How was I supposed to know they would actually die?
19:42Cassian looked at her, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
19:45You lost track of time?
19:46Two lives are gone, and you think losing track of time fixes it?
19:50Then what do you want from me?
19:51You want me to die for her?
19:53Is she even worth it?
19:54She was just a lowborn fireblood woman.
19:56She's gone, so what?
19:57Cassian struck her hard.
19:59Veda froze in shock.
20:01Get out.
20:02If I ever see your face again, you are no longer my sister.
20:05Then Vivian arrived holding Alara close.
20:07Cassian, please, let it go.
20:10I'm sure she'd want to see you like this from the other side.
20:13Cassian looked up at her, cold as ice.
20:15Do you know what they were doing while you were celebrating?
20:18I was at your house, having dinner.
20:21They were in the snow, waiting to die.
20:23Waiting for someone who was never coming to save them.
20:29Vivian turned pale.
20:31That was your sister's fault!
20:33What does that have to do with me?
20:35Your mother was the one who insisted I come back for Frostell.
20:38I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of traveling for the holidays if it wasn't for her.
20:42And besides, you're the one who kicked them out of the car.
20:45Right.
20:46You went through so much trouble, but they froze to death.
20:49They literally froze to death.
20:51Two lives gone.
20:53My child never even had a chance.
20:57Vivian went silent.
20:59Cassian stood up and walked to the cryo casket.
21:01I keep thinking, what if I had just answered that hologram call?
21:05What if I had gone to pick them up?
21:09What if I hadn't said those-
21:11Vivian bit her lip and turned to leave.
21:14Cassian, don't forget.
21:16I'm the one carrying the family heir now.
21:18That dead fireblood woman?
21:20She's useless now.
21:21The heavy doors of the viewing room clicked shut.
21:23Cassian collapsed, sliding down against the side of the casket until he hit the floor.
21:28On the surveillance feed, I watched his shoulders shake.
21:30How pathetic.
21:31He didn't care when we were breathing.
21:33Now that we're dead, he acts like he has a heart.
21:35I raised my wrist and sent an encrypted message to my father.
21:38Can we start?
21:39My father's reply popped up instantly.
21:42Anytime.
21:47The Orovel Dominion's empire began to collapse.
21:50First, their biggest client abruptly canceled their contract,
21:54jumping ship to sign a 10-year deal with their rival.
21:57Then the interstellar banks pulled their credit lines,
22:00snapping the company's financial backbone.
22:02Suppliers swarmed the headquarters, demanding payment all at once.
22:07Cassian was drowning.
22:08He started sleeping at the office every night.
22:11Isolde screamed at him through the comms.
22:13You're never home.
22:13What if Vivillain gets upset?
22:14The company is dying.
22:16Do you even understand?
22:17So what if it is?
22:18We have plenty of money.
22:22Money?
22:25Mom, we're about to be bankrupt.
22:28The estate, the hover cars, the accounts,
22:30it's all being liquidated to pay the debt.
22:32Soon, you might not even be able to afford a meal.
22:35That's impossible.
22:36Is it?
22:37Cassian cut the transmission.
22:39He sat in his office, staring out the window at the skyline.
22:42Everything the Orovel family had built over the last 10 years,
22:46gone overnight.
22:47Suddenly, his wristband vibrated.
22:50An encrypted string of numbers flashed on the display.
22:54No hologram.
22:55No ID.
22:56A man's voice came through the comms.
23:01Mr. Orovel, did you receive my gift?
23:05Who is this?
23:06You don't need to know who I am.
23:08You just need to know that this is only the beginning.
23:11The debt you owe will be paid with the entire Orovel Dominion.
23:16The connection cut to static.
23:18Cassian tried to dial back, but a gray notification flashed on his terminal.
23:23His hand began to shake as he gripped the device.
23:26The Orovel Dominion officially entered bankruptcy liquidation.
23:29The estate, the hover cars, every single asset was auctioned off.
23:33Isolde was forced out of the mansion and into a cramped rental unit.
23:37Vivian took Alara and left, clutching the last bit of credits she could scavenge.
23:44I can't suffer with you, Cassian.
23:46Alara has her schooling to think about.
23:48Cassian moved into the small side wing where the caskets were kept.
23:51He had managed to keep the cryo units.
23:53He spread a blanket on the floor and slept right there, beside them.
23:57Beta came to find him once.
23:58You've thrown away the entire family empire for a dead woman.
24:01How can you do this to mom?
24:03Cassian looked at her, his voice a ghost of its former self.
24:06Then who is going to make things right for Serafina?
24:10Who is going to make it right for Aurora?
24:15Beta never came back.
24:16Cassian started looking for work.
24:18But in this city, the reputation of a bankrupt heir spreads faster than a virus.
24:23No one would hire him.
24:25He ended up at a construction site in the old district.
24:28200 credits a day.
24:30Working until his back felt like it would snap.
24:32At night, he'd return to the viewing room and eat cheap bread from a convenience store.
24:37Then he'd sit by the caskets and talk to himself.
24:40Serafina, the foreman yelled at me today.
24:42Said I was weak.
24:44Said I didn't work like a real man.
24:46I remembered how you used to tell me to slow down.
24:49That my health was more important.
24:51I thought you were just nagging back then.
24:53Now I realize, you were the only one who actually cared about me.
24:57He pulled out a crumpled cigarette and lit it.
25:02If Aurora were still here, she'd be starting preschool about now.
25:05You always said you wanted her to take piano lessons.
25:08You said rhythm would help stabilize a Phoenix Cub's heart flame.
25:11I told you it was a waste of money.
25:14I'm such a scumbag.
25:16The cigarette burned down to his fingers, but he didn't even feel it.
25:19In the surveillance room, my father looked at me.
25:21Have you seen enough?
25:26I shook my head.
25:28No, I've seen enough.
25:29Get everything ready.
25:30I'm going back to the company next week.
25:32My father asked.
25:33You're taking over?
25:34Yes.
25:35The Averilline Dominion has fallen.
25:37Fine.
25:38But there's one thing you should know.
25:40What is it?
25:42Cassian is looking for you.
25:44It looks like he figured out the bionic decoy was a fake.
25:47And Cassian had.
25:48While going through my remains, he found something that didn't add up.
25:53Tucked inside the pocket of my old winter coat was a crumpled store receipt.
25:57The date on it was three days after I had supposedly died.
26:01It was for a sunberry cream cake, Aurora's favorite.
26:03Dead people don't buy cake.
26:05Cassian stared at the receipt, his hands trembling violently.
26:08I was the one who made sure he found it.
26:13He went straight to that bakery to check the security footage.
26:16On the screen, a woman in a mask was holding a little girl's hand.
26:22Even with her face covered, that silhouette, that walk, it was Serafina and Aurora.
26:27Cassian sprinted out of the store like a madman.
26:30And he went everywhere we used to go.
26:33The parks, the malls, the playgrounds.
26:35Finally, outside a private preschool, he saw Aurora.
26:39She was wearing a soft ivory dress embroidered with tiny golden feathers.
26:44The fire veins on her wrist glimmered softly under the winter sun.
26:47A man in a suit was holding her hand, leading her toward a hover car.
26:52Aurora!
26:53Aurora froze, then immediately hid behind the man in the suit.
26:57Sir, what are you doing?
26:58That's my daughter!
26:59Sir, where's Serafina?
27:03Where's her mother?
27:04I don't know anyone named Serafina.
27:06This is my employer's daughter.
27:09Move aside.
27:09Cassian didn't believe him.
27:11He reached out to pull Aurora toward him.
27:13Suddenly, Aurora burst into tears.
27:14Bad man!
27:15You're a bad man!
27:17You made Mommy cry!
27:19Cassian went stiff.
27:22Aurora, I'm your daddy.
27:24No, you're not!
27:26My daddy is dead!
27:29Mommy said so!
27:30She said he didn't want us, and now he's dead!
27:35Cassian looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
27:38Just then, a sleek black hover car pulled up to the curb.
27:42The window rolled down slowly.
27:43I sat in the back seat, watching them.
27:46Long time no see, Cassian.
27:49When he saw me, his pupils blew wide with shock.
27:52Serafina, you're really, you're not dead.
27:54No thanks to you, I'm still breathing.
27:56I stepped out of the hover car, walked over to Aurora, and swept her into my arms.
28:01Mommy!
28:02That scary man tried to grab me!
28:05It's okay, baby.
28:07Mommy's here.
28:07Aurora's little heart flame warmed softly against my chest.
28:11Her fire veins glowed a clear, healthy gold.
28:14You played me.
28:16You lied to me this whole time.
28:18I did.
28:20The bionic decoy was a fake.
28:22My death was a setup.
28:26How else was I supposed to make you feel what it's like to lose everything?
28:29How could you be so cruel?
28:31Cruel?
28:33Cassian, were you cruel when you kicked your wife and daughter out onto the polar transport route in a whiteout
28:38storm?
28:38Were you cruel when you refused to pay for her medical peels?
28:42Cassian opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
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