- 26 minutes ago
I Faked My Death To Ruin My Ex-Husband New ASM
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00:00My husband Damien just kicked our three-
00:02It's Christmas Eve.
00:04My husband Damien just kicked our three-year-old daughter out of the car.
00:10Get out of the car!
00:11The current outside temperature is minus five degrees Celsius.
00:16All because his mistress's daughter didn't want to sit with a dirty kid.
00:21When the car pulled over on the highway shoulder,
00:24I thought Damien just needed a restroom break.
00:28Aurora is asleep.
00:30Don't wake her.
00:32Damien didn't even look back.
00:33He just tapped the steering wheel.
00:36Clara, take Aurora and get out of the car.
00:39What?
00:40Damien, it's fine.
00:41We can just squeeze in.
00:43But her daughter Briar started screaming.
00:46No! I won't sit with that dirty kid!
00:49She's coughing!
00:51Did you hear that?
00:52Get out.
00:53Mira is on her way.
00:54She'll be here in 30 minutes.
00:56Just wait here.
00:57I held my three-year-old daughter and watched him drive away.
01:01The taillights faded into the snow until they were gone.
01:06Mommy, where's Daddy?
01:08Aurora whispered.
01:10Her biometric wristband began to pulse with a yellow warning light.
01:15Daddy, went to Grandma's first.
01:18Auntie Mira is coming to get us.
01:20I hit the dial for a video call to Tina.
01:28Clara?
01:29Her background was a chaotic blur of noise and pulsing neon.
01:33She was at a party.
01:35Mira, Damien told you to pick us up.
01:37Where are you?
01:38Just wait.
01:40I'll come later.
01:41Mira, it's freezing.
01:43Aurora can't stay out here.
01:45My brother said Celeste and Briar can't be out in the cold.
01:48They had to get home.
01:49You're just waiting.
01:50It's not like you'll die.
01:52Aurora shivered in my arms.
01:54Mommy, I want to go home.
01:58Soon, baby.
01:59We'll be home very soon.
02:01My heart broke.
02:03After four years of marriage, I never knew Damien could be this cruel.
02:08To dump his wife and child on a highway because another woman's kid called us dirty.
02:14Suddenly, headlights appeared.
02:16I waved like crazy.
02:19A black SUV pulled over.
02:22A black SUV pulled over.
02:27Need a hand?
02:29Please, can you give us a ride to the next service station?
02:33Get in.
02:33I reached for the door, but then a voice stopped me.
02:36Clara?
02:37It was Felix, Damien's father.
02:40What are you doing here?
02:41Where's my brother?
02:42I quickly told him everything.
02:45Felix's face turned pale with rage.
02:48Is he insane?
02:50He left you and Aurora here?
02:52So Celeste's daughter matters.
02:54But his own doesn't?
02:56Owen, let them in.
02:57We'll squeeze.
02:58But the car was full.
03:00There's no room.
03:01The driver said, looking worried.
03:04You guys go.
03:05I'll wait here.
03:06Felix pushed me toward the seat.
03:10Aurora's face is turning purple.
03:12She can't stay in the cold another second.
03:15Felix, it's freezing out there.
03:18What about you?
03:20I'm a grown man.
03:21I can handle a little cold.
03:23Take care of the kid first.
03:24Just go.
03:25The car started.
03:27I looked through the back window.
03:29Felix stood there alone in the blizzard.
03:32His figure grew smaller and smaller.
03:35Aurora fell asleep in my arms, but her face was a terrifying shade of red.
03:43Sir, can you go any faster?
03:44My daughter has a fever.
03:46The driver nodded and stepped on the gas.
03:48I tried to call Mira again.
03:51No signal.
03:52How much longer to the service station?
03:5520 kilometers.
03:57In this weather, at least 30 minutes.
04:01I held Aurora tighter.
04:03She was getting hotter by the second.
04:05She opened her eyes weakly.
04:08Suddenly, she started coughing.
04:10Her face turned a deep, thickly purple.
04:13Please!
04:14Please go faster!
04:16I'm trying!
04:17This is as fast as it goes!
04:19The roads are pure ice!
04:21I unzipped Aurora's coat.
04:24Her chest was heaving.
04:26Aurora, look at Mommy.
04:27Don't close your eyes.
04:30I'll tell you a story about the little rabbit.
04:34I began pounding on the car window like a madwoman.
04:38Help!
04:39My daughter is dying!
04:41Somebody help us!
04:45But on the highway, there was nothing but wind and snow.
04:51Nothing but wind and snow.
04:54Finally, the car pulled into a service station.
05:02Is there a doctor?
05:04My daughter is dying!
05:06Help us!
05:07The clerk froze.
05:08There's no doctor here.
05:10Call one!
05:11Now!
05:12The signal tower was destroyed by the blizzard.
05:15We can't get a call out.
05:16My legs gave out.
05:18I almost collapsed.
05:20The shop owner searched through the back and found some medicine.
05:25Try this.
05:26Aurora lay on my lap.
05:28Her breath was so faint, it felt like it could snap at any second.
05:34I tried to feed her, but she didn't even have the strength to swallow.
05:39The owner couldn't watch anymore.
05:42I'll drive you to the nearest clinic.
05:45But the roads might be blocked.
05:48Go!
05:48We have to go now!
05:50The car crawled through the deep snow.
05:53With every bump, Aurora's body grew limp.
05:57Aurora, you said you wanted to see the northern lights, remember?
06:00Mommy will take you.
06:03We'll take the fastest train, all the way to the Arctic Circle.
06:07Her eyelashes fluttered, but she never opened her eyes.
06:14Suddenly, my watch vibrated.
06:16Signal!
06:18With trembling hands, I dialed Damien's video call.
06:21It rang for a long time.
06:24Finally, he picked up.
06:26Hello?
06:27The background was quiet.
06:29Damien!
06:31Aurora is sick.
06:32It's bad.
06:33Really bad.
06:34Where are you?
06:35On the way to a clinic.
06:37Please.
06:38You have to come.
06:39Didn't Mira pick you up yet?
06:44She didn't come!
06:45She never showed up!
06:47Possible.
06:48She just posted an update saying she's on her way.
06:50I opened the hologram projection on my watch.
06:53Mira's latest post from ten minutes ago.
06:56The location tag was at exit 87 on the interstate.
07:01112 kilometers away from us.
07:04She hadn't moved an inch.
07:06She was lying to you.
07:08And she was lying to me.
07:10Mira will be there soon.
07:12Just wait a little longer.
07:14Wait!
07:15We can't!
07:16Aurora is dying!
07:18Our daughter is dying, Damien!
07:21Clara, it's Christmas Eve.
07:23Don't say such unlucky things.
07:25No one is dying.
07:26Celesta and Briar just arrived.
07:28And my mom is very happy.
07:30Don't ruin the mood.
07:31Just go to the hospital when Mira gets there.
07:33Kids get fevers all the time.
07:35She's not gonna die.
07:36He hung up.
07:37As the projection faded, my blood turned to ice.
07:41The shop owner looked at me through the rearview mirror.
07:44Your husband?
07:45I nodded.
07:48Scumbag.
07:49Hmph.
07:50Hang on tight.
07:51I'm taking a shortcut.
07:56We're not letting this baby die.
07:59The car turned onto a mountain road.
08:02Aurora's breathing was almost gone.
08:04I checked her heartbeat.
08:06It was so weak it felt like an illusion.
08:08I pulled a button-sized communicator from my inner pocket.
08:13My father had given it to me.
08:15He said that once I pressed it, his people would arrive within three hours.
08:21Finally, we reached the nearest medical station.
08:25I burst into the emergency room, clutching Aurora.
08:31Acute pneumonia!
08:36Heart rate is dropping!
08:37Prepare for recitation!
08:39I was stopped outside the emergency room.
08:42Through the glass, I watched the doctors intubate Aurora and hook her up to the monitors.
08:48She looked like she could vanish at any second.
08:51I collapsed in the corner, shaking.
08:54My watch rang again.
08:58Clara, where are you?
09:00My mom is waiting for dinner.
09:02I struggled to find my voice.
09:04The clinic?
09:06Aurora is being resuscitated.
09:08What?
09:09Why are you at a clinic?
09:11Where's Mira?
09:12She never came.
09:13Impossible.
09:14She just messaged me saying she picked you up.
09:17He sent me a screenshot.
09:19It was a blurry photo from 20 minutes ago.
09:22In the passenger seat was a woman's back, wearing a jacket just like mine.
09:27She's lying, Damien.
09:28Come to the clinic.
09:30Now!
09:30Are you lying just because you're jealous of Celeste?
09:33Daughter is still being resuscitated and you think this is jealous?
09:37What else?
09:38Why would Mira need to lie to me?
09:40Damien, if Aurora dies today, I will never forgive you as long as I live.
09:45Whatever, Clara.
09:46That's your choice.
09:49The call disconnected.
09:51I listened to the dial tone and slowly slid down to the floor.
09:55The ER doors swung open.
09:57We saved her, but she was deprived of oxygen for too long.
10:00There's significant brain damage.
10:02It could affect her cognitive development.
10:04She might even face permanent paralysis.
10:07I leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing.
10:11How is that possible?
10:13She's so small.
10:15She's just a baby.
10:18We did our best.
10:20You need to admit her now.
10:22The follow-up treatments won't be cheap.
10:23I walked to the payment kiosk, moving like a ghost.
10:27I tapped my wrist against the sensor.
10:30Insufficient funds.
10:32Damien only gave me $3,000 a month, claiming it was more than enough for a child.
10:37I called him, my hands trembling.
10:41Aurora needs surgery.
10:42I need $50,000.
10:44$50,000?
10:47Clara, do I look like an ATM to you?
10:49Damien, she is your daughter!
10:51Are you going to transfer the money or not?
10:54No.
10:54If you're so capable, earn it yourself.
10:57After Christmas, we're filing for divorce.
10:59The house is mine.
11:01You didn't put a cent in, so you get nothing.
11:04I stood there, staring at the clerk through the glass.
11:08Can you start the treatment first?
11:11I'll pay you back.
11:12I promise.
11:14I'm sorry.
11:15Facility policy, no deposit, no admission.
11:20I walked out of the clinic and stood in the freezing snow.
11:23My hologram flared to life.
11:26It was Felix.
11:27Clara!
11:28Where are you?
11:30Damien said Mira picked you guys up.
11:32Felix, do me a favor.
11:34If anything happens to me, take care of Aurora.
11:38What are you talking about?
11:39I have no money.
11:40Aurora has no hope.
11:42I can't keep her either.
11:43Just put her in the adoption system.
11:46At least she'll live.
11:47Clara, don't do anything reckless.
11:49Where are you?
11:49I'm coming now.
11:50Don't bother.
11:51I cut the connection and killed the hologram.
11:53I walked back to the ward.
11:55I'm sorry, baby.
11:57Don't be in the next life.
11:58Don't be mine.
12:00The clinic roof was a blur of wind and snow.
12:03From the edge, the world below looked tiny.
12:06One step, and the pain would finally end.
12:10I closed my eyes and let myself fall forward.
12:13Suddenly, a hand gripped my wrist.
12:17Suddenly, a hand gripped my wrist.
12:19A violent tug pulled me back.
12:21I collapsed onto the ground and looked up.
12:24Several men in black suits stood before me.
12:26Their leader, a man in his 50s, removed his sunglasses.
12:29His eyes were bloodshot.
12:31Clara.
12:34Todd.
12:34I was rushed onto a medical transport plod.
12:37Aurora was carried in right behind me,
12:39immediately taken over by a team of flight medics.
12:42Intracranial pressure is spiking.
12:44We need to operate now.
12:46Contact the main hospital.
12:47Open the neurosurgery green channel.
12:50Put the nano repair team on standby.
12:52My father held my hand, his own trembling uncontrollably.
12:56I'm sorry, Clara.
12:57Dad was too late.
12:58I'm so sorry.
13:00Dad, I thought you were just a...
13:03Farmer back in the village.
13:05He faltered, a bitter smile touching his lips.
13:10A farmer.
13:11That was a lie.
13:13You were so determined to marry Damien.
13:15I was afraid that if he knew we were wealthy,
13:18he'd only marry you for the money.
13:20So...
13:21I played poor for four years.
13:24I thought as long as he treated you well,
13:26it didn't matter if we lived simply.
13:28He looked at the unconscious Aurora,
13:31tears finally falling.
13:32But I never imagined...
13:33I never imagined they could be this heartless
13:36to abuse my granddaughter like this.
13:39Medical transport pod landed on the roof
13:41of Whitfield Medical Center.
13:43Aurora was rushed straight into surgery.
13:45The best specialists, the cutting-edge equipment,
13:47everything was ready.
13:49My father stood outside the operating room
13:51and dialed an encrypted channel.
13:53Vance Group, I want to see their stock hit rock bottom
13:56before the market opens tomorrow.
13:58Terminate all partnerships.
14:00Everything.
14:01And the banks...
14:03You know what to do.
14:05He hung up and sat beside me.
14:07Clara, I'm giving you two choices.
14:09First, divorce him.
14:11Take the money and take Aurora abroad.
14:17Never look back.
14:19Second, stay.
14:22Watch the Vance family crumble.
14:26Watch Damien crawl to his knees
14:28and beg for your mercy.
14:30I thought for a moment.
14:32The second one.
14:34But I have one condition.
14:36Name it.
14:38Prepare two bionic decoys.
14:40One identical to me
14:41and one identical to Aurora.
14:44Make them look like they froze to death
14:46on the side of the highway.
14:48Dress them in the clothes we wore today
14:50and put her bio-band on the decoy.
14:53You wanna?
14:55I want them to think I'm dead.
14:59Then, I want to see exactly how they celebrate.
15:02I want to watch them throw a party
15:04while Aurora and I are dead.
15:08My father remained silent
15:09for a long time before nodding.
15:11Fine.
15:12The bionic decoys were incredibly lifelike.
15:15One large, one small,
15:18lying in the snow on the highway.
15:19When found, they were already frozen solid.
15:22An automated road patrol drone discovered them
15:25and flagged the nearest highway patrol.
15:27Based on the ID found on the body,
15:29the police contacted Damien.
15:31The call came through
15:32while the Vance family was having Christmas dinner.
15:34The table was overflowing with food,
15:36filled with laughter.
15:38Celeste sat next to Damien,
15:40putting food on his plate.
15:41Priscilla beamed, stroking Briar's hair.
15:43Celeste is so much better.
15:44Even the daughter she raised a well-behaved,
15:47unlike that brat Clara had.
15:49Always crying, never obedient.
15:52An absolute nuisance.
15:54Damien's wrist vibrated.
15:55He glanced at it, frowning.
15:57The police?
16:01Hello?
16:03Is this Mr. Damien Vance?
16:05Is your wife Clara currently on the highway with your daughter?
16:08Yes, why?
16:09We found two bodies by the roadside.
16:12Preliminary assessment suggests they froze to death.
16:15The female victim has an ID card identifying her as Clara.
16:19There is also a female child,
16:20approximately three years old.
16:22We need you to come and identify them.
16:24What did you say?
16:26Sir, your wife and daughter.
16:28They didn't make it.
16:29The dinner table fell silent.
16:31Priscilla asked,
16:32Who is it?
16:33Calling during the holidays.
16:35It's bad luck.
16:36Damien stood up, his face pale.
16:38Claire and Aurora?
16:40Froze to death?
16:42By the time Damien reached the morgue,
16:43his legs were like jelly.
16:45The police led him into the cold storage room.
16:48The drawer pulled open,
16:49revealing two bodies,
16:51one large, one small.
16:52Is it them?
16:54Damien opened his mouth,
16:55but no sound came out.
16:56He reached out,
16:57wanting to touch my face,
16:58his hand shaking violently.
17:00It's impossible.
17:03Mira said she went to pick them up.
17:05The officer pulled up the records on his terminal.
17:08We checked the automated highway patrol logs.
17:11Your sister's car never even entered the highway.
17:13She drove in circles around the city before heading home.
17:17Furthermore,
17:18the victim's final outgoing call was to you.
17:22It was at 7 p.m. last night.
17:24She told you the child was sick and begged for help.
17:27You said,
17:28you said,
17:29if you're so capable,
17:31earn it yourself.
17:32I thought,
17:33I thought she was lying.
17:35I,
17:36I didn't know she was actually.
17:38And if you had known,
17:40would you have gone?
17:42There was a heavy silence.
17:44Damien had no answer.
17:45The morgue door swung open as Priscilla burst in.
17:49She froze for a moment upon seeing the bodies,
17:51then collapsed onto the floor,
17:52wailing and slapping her thighs.
17:54Oh,
17:55my granddaughter,
17:56my poor baby.
17:58How could you leave me like this?
18:00After a few cries,
18:01she abruptly stopped and grabbed Damien.
18:03Son,
18:03this is actually a good thing.
18:05It's a blessing in disguise.
18:06Now that Clara's dead,
18:08you can finally marry Celesta.
18:09Mom,
18:10that was my daughter.
18:12So what if she was your daughter?
18:13She's dead now.
18:14This is perfect.
18:15Now we don't have to worry about splitting the assets in a divorce.
18:18Ma'am,
18:19these are two human lives we're talking about.
18:20What about them?
18:21This is family business.
18:23It's none of your concern.
18:24Let's go.
18:25Celeste is still waiting for us to finish dinner.
18:27Damien allowed himself to be pulled away for a moment.
18:30Then,
18:30he looked back at the cold storage unit.
18:33Wait.
18:33He shook off his mother's hand and walked back.
18:36He knelt beside the bodies for a long time.
18:38Then,
18:39he reached out,
18:40gently smoothing the hair
18:41and straightening the clothes on the decoy.
18:43Clara,
18:44I'm so sorry.
18:46I was wrong.
18:48I really,
18:49I didn't know it would end like this.
18:51Why are you apologizing to her?
18:54It's her own fault for having such a short life.
18:56She deserved it.
18:58Shut up!
19:00Damien stood up and addressed the officer.
19:02I'm taking the bodies back.
19:04I'm going to hold a grand funeral.
19:07Two flickering lamps stood by the Vance Estate entrance.
19:10The viewing room was in the side hall,
19:12right next to the room I lived in before.
19:15Celeste and Briar had already moved into the master suite.
19:18The whole house was busy catering to them.
19:20But Damien...
19:21He sat in the viewing room,
19:22guarding the caskets.
19:24Two cryo caskets side by side,
19:26cold and silent.
19:27Mira showed up once.
19:28He kicked her out.
19:29Get out.
19:30Damien,
19:31I didn't mean it.
19:33I was just out with friends and lost track of time.
19:37Damien looked at her,
19:38his eyes bloodshot with rage.
19:40How was I supposed to know they would actually die?
19:43You lost track of time?
19:45Two lives are gone,
19:46and you think losing track of time fixes it?
19:48Then what do you want from me?
19:49You want me to die for her?
19:52Is she even worth it?
19:54She was just a low-class woman.
19:56She's gone, so what?
19:57Damien struck her hard.
19:59Mira froze in shock.
20:00Get out!
20:02If I ever see your face again,
20:04you are no longer my sister.
20:06Then Celeste arrived.
20:07Damien, please.
20:08Let it go.
20:10I'm sure she wouldn't want to see you like this from the other side.
20:12Damien looked up at her,
20:14cold as ice.
20:15Do you know what they were doing while you were celebrating?
20:17I was at your house,
20:19having dinner.
20:23They were in the snow, waiting to die.
20:27Waiting for someone who was never coming to save them.
20:31Celeste turned pale.
20:32That was your sister's fault!
20:34What does that have to do with me?
20:35With me!
20:35Your mother was the one who insisted I come back for Christmas.
20:38I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of traveling for the holidays
20:41if it wasn't for her!
20:42And besides, you're the one who kicked them out of the car!
20:45Right.
20:45You went through so much trouble,
20:47but they froze to death.
20:48They literally froze to death.
20:50Celeste went silent.
20:51Damien stood up and walked to the cryo casket,
20:54gently brushing his hand against the coal glass.
20:57I keep thinking,
20:58what if I had just answered that video call?
21:01What if I had gone to pick them up?
21:03What if I hadn't said those things?
21:05Celeste bit her lip and turned to leave.
21:07Damien, don't forget,
21:08I'm the one carrying the family heir now.
21:10That dead woman?
21:11She's useless now.
21:13The heavy doors of the viewing room clicked shut.
21:16Damien collapsed,
21:17sliding down against the side of the casket
21:19until he hit the floor.
21:20On the surveillance feed,
21:22I watched his shoulders shake.
21:23How pathetic.
21:25He didn't care when we were breathing.
21:26Now that we're dead,
21:28he acts like he has a heart.
21:29I raised my wrist and sent an encrypted message to my father.
21:32Can we start?
21:33My father's reply popped up instantly.
21:35Anytime.
21:35The Vance Group's empire began to collapse.
21:39First,
21:40their biggest client abruptly canceled their contract,
21:42jumping ship to sign a 10-year deal with a library.
21:45Then,
21:46the banks pulled their credit line,
21:47snapping the company's financial backbone.
21:50Suppliers swarmed the headquarters,
21:52demanding payment all at once.
21:54Damien was drowning.
21:55He started sleeping at the office every night.
21:58Priscilla screamed at him through the comms.
22:00You're never home.
22:02What if Celeste gets upset?
22:04The company is dying.
22:06Do you even understand?
22:08So what if it is?
22:09We have plenty of money.
22:11Mom,
22:11we're about to be bankrupt.
22:12The house,
22:13the cars,
22:14the accounts,
22:14it's all being liquidated to pay the debt.
22:16Soon,
22:16you might not even be able to afford a meal.
22:18That's impossible.
22:19Is it?
22:21Damien cut the transmission.
22:22He sat in his office,
22:24staring out the window at the skyline.
22:25Everything he had built over the last 10 years,
22:28gone overnight.
22:30Suddenly,
22:31his wristband vibrated.
22:32An encrypted string of numbers flashed on the display.
22:35No hologram.
22:35No ID.
22:39A man's voice came through the car.
22:42Mr. Vance,
22:44did you receive my gift?
22:47Who is this?
22:48You don't need to know who I am.
22:50You just need to know that this is only the beginning.
22:53The debt you owe
22:54will be paid with the entire Vance Group.
22:58The connection cut to static.
23:00Damien tried to dial back,
23:02but a gray notification flashed on his terminal.
23:04The ID you are trying to reach does not exist.
23:08His hand began to shake as he gripped the device.
23:11Vance Group officially entered bankruptcy liquidation.
23:14The estate,
23:15the cars,
23:16every single asset was auctioned off.
23:18Priscilla was forced out of the mansion
23:20and into a cramped rental unit.
23:22Celeste took Briar and left,
23:24clutching the last bit of credit she could scavenge.
23:26I can't suffer with you.
23:28Damien, Briar has her schooling to think about.
23:32Damien moved into the small side wing
23:34where the caskets were kept.
23:36He had managed to keep the cryo units.
23:38He spread a blanket on the floor
23:39and slept right there beside them.
23:43You've thrown away the entire family empire for a dead woman.
23:47How can you do this to mom?
23:49Then who is going to make things right for Clara?
23:53Damien looked at her,
23:54his voice a ghost of its former self.
23:57Who is going to make it right for Aurora?
23:59Mira never came back.
24:01Damien started looking for work.
24:02But in this city,
24:03the reputation of a bankrupt CEO
24:05spreads faster than a virus.
24:07No one would hire him.
24:09He ended up at a construction site
24:10in the Old District.
24:11$200 a day,
24:13working until his back felt like it would snap.
24:15At night,
24:15he'd return to the viewing room
24:17and eat cheap bread from a convenience store.
24:19Then he'd sit by the caskets
24:20and talk to himself.
24:21Clara,
24:22the foreman yelled at me today.
24:24Said I was weak.
24:26Said I didn't work like a real man.
24:30I remembered how you used to tell me to slow down.
24:33But my health was more important.
24:35I thought you were just nagging,
24:38nagging back then.
24:41Now I realize
24:44you were the only one
24:45who actually cared about me.
24:47He pulled out a crumpled cigarette and lit it.
24:50If Aurora were still here,
24:51she'd be starting preschool about now.
24:53Clara,
24:54you always said you wanted her
24:55to take piano lessons.
24:58I told you it was a waste of money.
24:59I'm such a scumbag.
25:01The cigarette burned down to his fingers,
25:03but he didn't even feel it.
25:04In the surveillance room,
25:06my father looked at me.
25:07Have you seen enough?
25:09I shook my head.
25:10No,
25:11I've seen enough.
25:12Get everything ready.
25:14I'm going back to the company next week.
25:16You're taking over?
25:17Yes.
25:18The Vance Group has fallen.
25:20My debt is settled.
25:22It's time to start my own life now.
25:24My father nodded.
25:25Fine.
25:25But there's one thing you should know.
25:27What is it?
25:29Damien is looking for you.
25:30It looks like he figured out
25:31the android double was a fake.
25:33And Damien had.
25:34While going through my remains,
25:36he found something that didn't add up.
25:38Tucked inside the pocket
25:39of my old winter coat
25:40was a crumpled store receipt.
25:41The date on it was three days
25:43after I had supposedly died.
25:45It was for a strawberry shortcake,
25:47Aurora's favorite.
25:48Dead people don't buy cake.
25:51Damien stared at the receipt,
25:52his hands trembling violently.
25:54I was the one who made sure he found it.
25:56He went straight to that bakery
25:58to check the security footage.
25:59On the screen,
26:00a woman in a mask
26:01was holding a little girl's hand.
26:03Even with her face covered,
26:04that silhouette,
26:05that walk,
26:06it was Clara and Aurora.
26:08Damien sprinted out of the store
26:10like a madman.
26:11He went everywhere we used to go.
26:13The parks,
26:14the malls,
26:14the playgrounds.
26:16Finally,
26:16outside a private preschool,
26:17he saw Aurora.
26:19She was wearing a pink dress
26:20with her hair and pigtails.
26:21A man in a suit was holding her hand,
26:23leading her toward a car.
26:26Aurora!
26:27Aurora froze,
26:28then immediately hid behind
26:29the man in the suit.
26:30Damien tried to grab her,
26:31but the man blocked him.
26:32Sir, what are you doing?
26:33That's my daughter!
26:35Where's Clara?
26:36Where's her mother?
26:37I don't know anyone named Clara.
26:39This is my employer's daughter.
26:41Move aside.
26:42Damien didn't believe him.
26:43He reached out to pull Aurora toward him.
26:46Suddenly,
26:47Aurora burst into tears.
26:48Batman,
26:49you're a Batman!
26:50You made Mommy cry!
26:52Damien went stiff.
26:54Aurora,
26:56I'm your daddy.
26:57No,
26:58you're not!
26:59My daddy is dead!
27:02Mommy said so!
27:04She said he didn't want us
27:06and now he's dead!
27:09Damien looked like
27:10he'd been struck by lightning.
27:12Just then,
27:12a sleek black sedan
27:13pulled up to the curb.
27:15The window rolled down slowly.
27:17I sat in the backseat
27:18watching them.
27:19Long time no see, Damien.
27:21Damien turned.
27:22When he saw me,
27:23his pupils blown wide with shock.
27:25Clara!
27:26You really...
27:27You're not dead!
27:28I stepped out of the car,
27:30walked over to Aurora,
27:31and swept her into my arms.
27:32No thanks to you,
27:33I'm still breathing.
27:35Mommy!
27:36That scary man
27:37tried to grab me!
27:38It's okay, baby.
27:39Mommy's here.
27:40You played me.
27:42You lied to me
27:43this whole time.
27:45I did.
27:46The android double
27:47was a fake.
27:48My death was a setup.
27:49How else was I supposed
27:51to make you feel
27:52what it's like
27:52to lose everything?
27:53How could you be so cruel?
27:55Cruel?
27:56Damien,
27:57were you cruel
27:57when you kicked your wife
27:58and daughter
27:59out onto the highway
27:59in a blizzard?
28:00Were you cruel
28:01when you refused
28:02to pay for her medical bills?
28:04Damien opened his mouth,
28:05but no sound came out.
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