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QuantumCinema
  • 4 minutes ago
The Phoenix's Revenge
Transcript
00:02It's Frostfall Eve on the Polar Transit Route, 30 degrees below zero, and my husband Cassian
00:08just kicked our three-year-old daughter out of his hover SUV, all because his pure-blood
00:14white lioness lover's daughter didn't want to sit with a dirty blood cub.
00:18When the vehicle pulled over on the frozen Skyway shoulder, I thought Cassian just needed
00:23a quick stop.
00:24Aurora is asleep.
00:26Don't wake her.
00:27Cassian didn't even look back.
00:28He just tapped the steering wheel.
00:29Serafina, take Aurora and get out.
00:33What?
00:34Cassian, it's fine.
00:35We can just squeeze in.
00:36But her daughter, Alara, started screaming.
00:38No!
00:39I won't sit with that dirty feather cub.
00:41She's shivering.
00:42She's smelly.
00:43I can't stand bird smells.
00:45Did you hear that?
00:47Get out.
00:49Vida is on her way.
00:50She'll be here in 30 minutes.
00:52Just wait here.
00:53I held my three-year-old daughter and watched him drive away.
00:55The hover SUV's taillights faded into the white-out storm until they were gone.
01:01Aurora whispered.
01:02Mommy, where's daddy?
01:04Under her collar, the tiny flame beneath Aurora's heart flickered unevenly.
01:08The faint golden feather marks along her collarbone burned too hot beneath my palm.
01:13For a phoenix cub, that was not a fever.
01:16It meant her heart flame was fighting the cold.
01:19Her cub status fan began to pulse with an amber warning light.
01:24Daddy went to Grandma's first.
01:26Auntie Vida is coming to get us.
01:29Serafina?
01:30What?
01:31She was at a frostfall party.
01:33Veda, Cassian told you to pick us up.
01:35Where are you?
01:36Just wait.
01:37I'll come later.
01:38Veda, it's freezing!
01:40Aurora can't stay out here!
01:42My brother said Vivalain and Alara can't be out in the cold.
01:45They had to get home.
01:46You're just waiting.
01:47It's not like you'll die.
01:48Aurora shivered in my arms.
01:50Her little fingers curled weakly against my coat.
01:53Mommy, I want to go home.
01:56My heart broke.
01:58Soon, baby.
01:59We'll be home very soon.
02:01After four years of marriage, I never knew Cassian could be this cruel.
02:06To dump his wife and child on a polar skyway because another woman's kid called us dirty.
02:11Because my daughter carried bird blood instead of pure frost lion blood.
02:16Suddenly, headlights appeared.
02:19I waved like crazy.
02:21A black hover SUV pulled over.
02:27A black hover SUV pulled over.
02:33Need a hand?
02:34Please, can you give us a ride to the next transit station?
02:39Get in.
02:41Thank you so much.
02:43I reached for the door, but then a voice stopped me.
02:45Serafina?
02:47What are you doing here?
02:49Where's my brother?
02:51It was Rowan, Cassian's brother.
02:53I quickly told him everything.
02:54Rowan's face turned pale with rage.
02:56Is he insane?
02:57He left you and Aurora here?
02:59So Vivian's daughter matters, but his own doesn't?
03:03Owen, let them in.
03:04We'll squeeze.
03:05There's no room.
03:06The driver said, looking worried.
03:08You guys go.
03:09I'll wait here.
03:10Rowan pushed me toward the seat.
03:12Aurora's lips are turning blue.
03:14She can't stay in the cold another second.
03:16Under the dim cabin light, the little flame beneath Aurora's heart shrank with every shallow
03:21breath.
03:21The golden sheen on her tiny feather marks had dulled a little.
03:26Rowan, it's freezing out there.
03:27What about you?
03:29I'm a grown frost lion.
03:31I can handle a little cold.
03:33Take care of the cub first.
03:34Just go.
03:35The Hover SUV started.
03:37I looked through the back window.
03:39Rowan stood there alone in the whiteout storm.
03:41His figure grew smaller and smaller.
03:47Aurora fell asleep in my arms, but her face had turned a terrifying shade of ashen white.
03:54Sir, can you go any faster?
03:56My daughter's freezing.
03:57Her heart flame is going out.
03:59The driver nodded and stepped on the accelerator.
04:01I tried to call Veda again.
04:03No signal.
04:04The polar transit route was a dead zone.
04:06How much longer to the transit station?
04:0820 kilometers.
04:09At least 30 minutes.
04:12I held Aurora tighter.
04:13She was getting colder by the second.
04:15The little heart flame beneath her chest fluttered too fast.
04:19Then suddenly sank low.
04:20She opened her eyes weakly.
04:22Suddenly, she started coughing.
04:24Her lips turned a deep, sickly blue.
04:27The fire veins on her wrist flickered from warm gold to a faint, sickly ash gray.
04:31Please, please go faster.
04:33I'm trying.
04:34This is as fast as it goes.
04:36The route is pure ice.
04:37I unzipped Aurora's coat.
04:39Her chest was heaving.
04:40The tiny feather marks along her throat glowed once, their gold light thinning into a dying thread.
04:47Aurora, look at mommy.
04:49Don't close your eyes.
04:51I'll tell you a story about the little phoenix who crossed the snowstorm ramming to find the sun.
04:56I began pounding on the vehicle window like a mad woman.
05:00Help!
05:01My daughter is dying!
05:02Somebody help us!
05:12But on the polar route, there was nothing but wind and snow.
05:16Finally, the hover SUV pulled into a transit station.
05:20Is there a medic?
05:22My daughter is dying!
05:24Help us!
05:25There's no medic here.
05:26Call one!
05:27Now!
05:28The signal tower was destroyed by the whiteout.
05:30We can't get a call out.
05:32My legs came out.
05:33I almost collapsed.
05:34The station owner searched through the back and found some medicine.
05:38Try this.
05:39Aurora lay on my lap.
05:40Her breath was so faint, it felt like it could snap at any second.
05:45The tiny flame beneath her heart barely stirred now.
05:49Her phoenix marks had turned dull, like embers buried under ash.
05:53I tried to feed her, but she didn't even have the strength to swallow.
05:56The owner couldn't watch anymore.
05:58I'll drive you to the nearest med station, but the route might be blocked.
06:02Go!
06:02We have to go now!
06:05The hover SUV crawled through the deep snow.
06:07With every bump, Aurora's body grew limp.
06:10Her cub status band kept flashing amber-red faster and faster.
06:15Aurora, you said you wanted to see the solar lights, remember?
06:19Mommy will take you.
06:21We'll take the fastest star train, all the way to the Arctic Ring.
06:28Her eyelashes fluttered, but she never opened her eyes.
06:31Suddenly, my wristband vibrated.
06:33Signal.
06:34With trembling hands, I dialed Cassian's hologram call.
06:38It rang for a long time.
06:39Finally, he picked up.
06:41Hello?
06:41The background was quiet and peaceful.
06:44The sound of a warm home.
06:46Cassian.
06:47Aurora is sick.
06:48It's bad.
06:49Really bad.
06:51Where are you?
06:52On the way to a med station.
06:54Please, you have to come.
06:56Serafina.
06:56Didn't Via pick you up yet?
06:58She didn't come!
07:00She never showed up!
07:02Impossible.
07:03She just posted an update saying she's on her way.
07:05I opened the hologram projection on my wristband, Vita's latest post from 10 minutes ago.
07:10The location tag was at exit 87 on the interstellar transit lane, 112 kilometers away from us.
07:17She hadn't moved an inch.
07:19She was lying to you.
07:20And she was lying to me.
07:22Vita will be there soon.
07:23Just wait a little longer.
07:25We can't wait.
07:26Aurora is dying.
07:27Our daughter is dying, Cassian!
07:29Under my coat, the little flame beneath Aurora's heart trembled once, barely moving after that.
07:34Her fire veins had faded to a thin ash gray line.
07:38Serafina, it's Frost All Eve.
07:40Don't say such unlucky things.
07:41No one is dying.
07:42Viviana and Alara just arrived, and my mom is very happy.
07:46Don't ruin the mood.
07:47Just go to the hospital when Vita gets there.
07:49Cubs get sick all the time.
07:50She's not going to die.
07:51He hung up.
07:52As the projection faded, my blood turned to ice.
07:55The station owner looked at me through the rearview mirror.
07:58Your husband?
08:00You scumbag.
08:01Hang on tight.
08:03I'm taking a shortcut.
08:04We're not letting this baby die.
08:08The hover SUV turned onto a mountain roof.
08:12Aurora's breathing was almost gone.
08:13I checked her heartbeat.
08:15It was so weak, it felt like an illusion.
08:17The last golden thread in her fire veins flickered once, then faded under the amber alarm.
08:22I pulled a button-sized emergency beacon from my inner pocket.
08:26My father had given it to me.
08:28He said that once I pressed it, his people would arrive within three hours.
08:32But three hours.
08:32Finally, we reached the nearest med station.
08:35I burst into the emergency room, clutching Aurora.
08:39Cold-induced respiratory failure.
08:41Heart rate is dropping.
08:42Her heart flame is collapsing.
08:44Prepare for resuscitation.
08:45I was stopped outside the emergency room.
08:48Through the glass, I watched the medics intubate Aurora and hook her up to the monitors.
08:53The dying spark beneath her chest trembled under the oxygen mask.
08:57She looked like she could vanish at any second.
09:00I collapsed in the corner, shaking, and my wristband rang again.
09:06Cassian.
09:07Serafina, where are you?
09:09My mom is waiting for dinner.
09:11The med station.
09:13Aurora is being resuscitated.
09:15What?
09:16Why are you at a med station?
09:18Where's Vida?
09:20She never came.
09:21Impossible.
09:21She just messaged me saying she picked you up.
09:23He sent me a screenshot.
09:25It was a blurry photo from 20 minutes ago.
09:27In the passenger seat was a woman's back wearing an article of clothing just like mine.
09:31She's lying, Cassian.
09:33Come to the med station.
09:34Now.
09:35Are you lying just because you're jealous of Vivian?
09:38Our daughter is still being resuscitated, and you think this is jealousy?
09:43What else?
09:44Cassian, if Aurora dies today, I will never forgive you as long as I live.
09:48Why would Vida need to lie to me?
09:50Whatever, Serafina.
09:51That's your choice.
09:52The call disconnected.
09:53I listened to the dial tone and slowly slid down to the floor.
09:59The ER doors swung open.
10:02We saved her, but her heart flame stayed unstable-less in for too long.
10:05Combined with oxygen deprivation, caused significant brain damage.
10:09It could affect her cognitive development.
10:11She might even face permanent papalysis.
10:14The world went black.
10:15I leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing.
10:18How is that possible?
10:20She's so small.
10:24She's just a cub.
10:26We did our best.
10:28You need to admit her now.
10:31The follow-up treatments won't be cheap.
10:33I walked to the payment kiosk, moving like a ghost.
10:36I tapped my wrist against the sensor.
10:38Red light flashes insufficient funds.
10:42Cassian only gave me 3,000 credits a month, claiming it was more than enough for a child.
10:47I called him, my hands trembling.
10:49What now?
10:51Aurora needs surgery.
10:52I need 50,000 credits.
10:54Now.
10:5450,000?
10:56Do I look like an ATM to you?
10:58Cassian, she is your daughter!
11:00Are you going to transfer the money or not?
11:02No.
11:03If you're so capable, earn it yourself.
11:05After Frostan, we're filing for divorce.
11:08The house is mine.
11:09You didn't put a credit in, so you get nothing.
11:11I stood there, staring at the clerk through the glass.
11:14Can you start the treatment first?
11:16I'll pay you back.
11:17I promise.
11:18I'm sorry.
11:19Facility policy.
11:20No deposit.
11:20No admission.
11:22I walked out of the med station and stood in the freezing snow.
11:26My hologram flared to life.
11:28It was Rowan.
11:29Serafina, where are you?
11:30Cassian said Vita picked you guys up.
11:32Rowan, do me a favor.
11:34Anything.
11:34If anything happens to me, take care of Aurora.
11:38What are you talking about?
11:39I have no money.
11:41Aurora has no hope.
11:42I can't keep her either.
11:44Just put her in the adoption system.
11:46At least she'll live.
11:47Serafina, don't do anything reckless.
11:49Where are you?
11:50I'm coming now.
11:52Don't bother.
11:53I cut the connection and killed the hologram.
11:55I walked back to the ward.
11:57I'm sorry, baby.
11:58In the next life, don't be mine.
12:01The med station roof was a blur of wind and snow.
12:04From the edge, the world below looked tiny.
12:07One step and the pain would finally end.
12:10I closed my eyes and let myself fall forward.
12:13Suddenly, a hand gripped my wrist.
12:18Suddenly, 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 tactical coats stood before me.
12:29Their leader, a man in his 50s, removed his sunglasses.
12:32Serafina.
12:35Dad.
12:36I was rushed onto a medical transport pod.
12:39Aurora was carried in right behind me, immediately taken over by a team of flight medics.
12:43Her heart flame core is collapsing.
12:45Intracranial pressure is spiking.
12:46We need to operate now.
12:50Contact the orbital hospital.
12:52Open the surgery green channel.
12:54Put the solar flame regeneration team on standby.
12:57My father held my hand.
12:58I'm sorry, Serafina.
13:00Dad was too late.
13:03I'm so sorry.
13:05Dad, I thought you were just an ash farm worker back on the volcanic colony.
13:09He faltered, a bitter smile touching his lips.
13:12An ash farm worker?
13:13That was a lie.
13:15You were so determined to marry Cassiel.
13:17I was afraid that if he knew we were wealthy, he'd only marry you for the money.
13:21So I played poor for four years.
13:23I thought as long as he treated you well.
13:26It didn't matter if we lived simply.
13:28But I never imagined...
13:30He looked at the unconscious Aurora, tears finally falling.
13:33I never imagined they could be this heartless to abuse my granddaughter like this.
13:40The medical transport pod landed on the roof of Aurelia Orbital Medical Center.
13:45Aurora was rushed straight into surgery.
13:50The best specialist, the cutting-edge equipment, everything was ready.
13:54Alaville Dominion.
13:56I want to see their stock hit rock bottom before the market opens tomorrow.
14:00Terminate all partnerships, everything.
14:03And the interstellar banks, you know what to do.
14:07He hung up and sat beside me.
14:10Seraphina, I'm giving you two choices.
14:12First, divorce him.
14:14Take the money and take Aurora Broad.
14:16Never look back.
14:17Second, stay.
14:20Watch the Auroville family crumble.
14:22Watch Cassian crawl to his knees and beg for your mercy.
14:28I thought for a moment.
14:30The second one.
14:31But I have one condition.
14:34Name it.
14:34Prepare two bionic decoys.
14:36One identical to me, and one identical to Aurora.
14:39Make them look like they froze to death on the side of the polar transit route.
14:43Dress them in the clothes we wore today, and put her cub status band on the decoy.
14:47You want to?
14:48I want them to think I'm dead.
14:49Then, I want to see exactly how they celebrate.
14:52I want to watch them throw a party while Aurora and I are dead.
14:56My father remained silent for a long time before nodding.
14:59Fine.
15:00The bionic decoys were incredibly lifelike.
15:03One large, one small, lying in the snow on the polar transit route.
15:08When found, they were already frozen solid.
15:11An automated patrol drone discovered them and flagged the nearest transit police unit.
15:16Based on the ID found on the body, the police contacted Cassian.
15:19The call came through while the Aurovale family was having Frostfall dinner.
15:23The table was overflowing with food, filled with laughter.
15:27Vivian sat next to Cassian, putting food on his plate.
15:31Grandma!
15:33Isolde beamed.
15:34Vivian is so much better.
15:36Even the daughter she raised is well-behaved.
15:39Unlike that brat Serafina had.
15:41Always crying, never obedient, an absolute nuisance.
15:46Cassian's wristband vibrated.
15:48He glanced at it, frowning.
15:50The police? Hello?
15:51Is this Mr. Cassian Aravil?
15:53Is your wife Serafina currently on the polar transit route with your daughter?
15:57Yes, why?
15:58We found two bodies by the roadside.
16:00Preliminary assessment suggests they froze to death.
16:03The female victim has an ID card identifying her as Serafina.
16:07There is also a female child, approximately three years old.
16:10We need you to come and identify them.
16:15What did you say?
16:16Sir, your wife and daughter, they didn't make it.
16:20The dinner table fell silent.
16:22Isolde asked,
16:23Who is it?
16:23Calling during the holidays, it's bad luck.
16:28Serafina and Aurora, frozen to death?
16:31By the time Cassian reached the morgue, his legs were like jelly.
16:34The police led him into the cold storage room.
16:37The drawer pulled open, revealing two bodies, one large, one small.
16:41The larger one was wearing my down jacket, her hair matted, her face scarred with frostbite.
16:46The small one was curled up in her arms, looking as if she were merely asleep.
16:50Faint frost covered the tiny golden feather marks along her collarbone.
16:53The place where her heart flame should have burned was dark.
16:56Is it them?
16:58Cassian opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
17:00He reached out, wanting to touch my face, his hand shaking violently.
17:05It's impossible.
17:06Vita said she went to pick them up.
17:08The officer pulled up the records on his terminal.
17:11We checked the automated polar route logs.
17:14Your sister's hover SUV never even entered the route.
17:17She drove in circles around the city before heading home.
17:21Furthermore, the victim's final outgoing call was to you.
17:26It was at 7 p.m. last night.
17:28She told you the child was sick and begged for help.
17:31You said, you said if you're so capable, earn it yourself.
17:36I thought, I thought she was lying.
17:39And if you had known, would you have gone?
17:46There was a heavy silence.
17:48Cassian had no answer.
17:49The morgue doors swung open as Isolde burst in.
17:53She froze for a moment upon seeing the bodies, then collapsed onto the floor, wailing and
17:58slapping her thighs.
18:00Oh, my granddaughter, my poor baby, how could you leave me like this?
18:06Son, this is actually a good thing.
18:08It's a blessing in disguise.
18:10Now that Serafina is dead, you can finally marry Viviana.
18:13Mom, that was my daughter, your granddaughter.
18:17So what if she was your daughter?
18:18She's dead now.
18:19This is perfect.
18:20Now we don't have to worry about splitting the assets in a divorce.
18:23Even the officer couldn't stand it anymore.
18:26Ma'am, these are two lives we're talking about.
18:28What about them?
18:30This is family business.
18:31It's none of your concern.
18:33Let's go.
18:34Vivian is still waiting for us to finish dinner.
18:36Cassian allowed himself to be pulled away for a moment.
18:39Then he looked back at the cold storage unit.
18:41Wait.
18:42He shook off his mother's hand and walked back.
18:44He knelt beside the bodies for a long time.
18:46Then he reached out, gently smoothing the hair and straightening the clothes on the decoy.
18:51Serafina, I'm so sorry.
18:53I was wrong.
18:54I really...
18:56I didn't know it would end like this.
18:58Why are you apologizing to her?
19:00It's her own fault for having such a short life.
19:03She deserved it.
19:04Shut up!
19:04Cassian stood up and addressed the officer.
19:07I'm taking the bodies back.
19:09I'm going to hold a grand funeral.
19:14Two flickering lamps stood by the Oroville estate entrance.
19:18The viewing room was in the side hall, right next to the room I lived in, before.
19:22Vivian and Alara had already moved into the master suite.
19:26The whole house was busy catering to them, but Cassian...
19:29He sat in the viewing room guarding the caskets.
19:32Two cryo caskets side by side.
19:34Cold and silent.
19:36Veda showed up once.
19:37He kicked her out.
19:38Cassian, I didn't mean it.
19:39I was just out with friends and lost track of time.
19:42How was I supposed to know they would actually die?
19:45Cassian looked at her, his eyes bloodshot with rage.
19:48You lost track of time?
19:49Two lives are gone, and you think losing track of time fixes it?
19:53Then what do you want from me?
19:54You want me to die for her?
19:56Is she even worth it?
19:57She was just a lowborn fireblood woman.
19:59She's gone, so what?
20:00Cassian struck her hard.
20:02Veda froze in shock.
20:04Get out.
20:05If I ever see your face again, you are no longer my sister.
20:08Then Vivian arrived holding Alara close.
20:10Cassian, please.
20:11Let it go.
20:13I'm sure she'd want to see you like this from the other side.
20:16Cassian looked up at her, cold as ice.
20:18Do you know what they were doing while you were celebrating?
20:21I was at your house, having dinner.
20:24They were in the snow, waiting to die.
20:26Waiting for someone who was never coming to save them.
20:32Vivian turned pale.
20:34That was your sister's fault!
20:36What does that have to do with me?
20:38Your mother was the one who insisted I come back for Frostell.
20:41I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of traveling for the holidays if it wasn't for her.
20:45And besides, you're the one who kicked them out of the car.
20:48Right.
20:49You went through so much trouble, but they froze to death.
20:52They literally froze to death.
20:54Two lives gone.
20:56My child never even had a chance.
21:00Vivian went silent.
21:02Cassian stood up and walked to the cryo casket.
21:04I keep thinking,
21:06what if I had just answered that hologram call?
21:08What if I had gone to pick them up?
21:12What if I hadn't said those-
21:14Vivian bit her lip and turned to leave.
21:17Cassian, don't forget.
21:19I'm the one carrying the family heir now.
21:21That dead fireblood woman?
21:23She's useless now.
21:24The heavy doors of the viewing room clicked shut.
21:26Cassian collapsed, sliding down against the side of the casket until he hit the floor.
21:31On the surveillance feed, I watched his shoulders shake.
21:33How pathetic.
21:34He didn't care when we were breathing.
21:36Now that we're dead, he acts like he has a heart.
21:38I raised my wrist and sent an encrypted message to my father.
21:41Can we start?
21:42My father's reply popped up instantly.
21:45Anytime.
21:50The Orovel Dominion's empire began to collapse.
21:53First, their biggest client abruptly canceled their contract,
21:57jumping ship to sign a 10-year deal with their rival.
22:00Then the interstellar banks pulled their credit lines,
22:03snapping the company's financial backbone.
22:05Suppliers swarmed the headquarters, demanding payment all at once.
22:10Cassian was drowning.
22:11He started sleeping at the office every night.
22:14Isolde screamed at him through the comms.
22:16You're never home.
22:16What if Vivalain gets upset?
22:18The company is dying.
22:19Do you even understand?
22:20So what if it is?
22:21We have plenty of money.
22:25Money?
22:28Mom, we're about to be bankrupt.
22:31The estate, the hover cars, the accounts, it's all being liquidated to pay the debt.
22:35Soon, you might not even be able to afford a meal.
22:38That's impossible.
22:40Is it?
22:40Cassian cut the transmission.
22:42He sat in his office, staring out the window at the skyline.
22:45Everything the Auroville family had built over the last 10 years, gone overnight.
22:51Suddenly, his wristband vibrated.
22:53An encrypted string of numbers flashed on the display.
22:57No hologram.
22:58No ID.
22:59A man's voice came through the comms.
23:04Mr. Auroville, did you receive my gift?
23:08Who is this?
23:09You don't need to know who I am.
23:11You just need to know that this is only the beginning.
23:14The debt you owe will be paid with the entire Auroville Dominion.
23:19The connection cut to static.
23:21Cassian tried to dial back, but a gray notification flashed on his terminal.
23:26His hand began to shake as he gripped the device.
23:28The Auroville Dominion officially entered bankruptcy liquidation.
23:32The estate, the hovercars, every single asset was auctioned off.
23:36Isolde was forced out of the mansion and into a cramped rental unit.
23:40Vivian took Alara and left, clutching the last bit of credits she could scavenge.
23:47I can't suffer with you, Cassian.
23:49Alara has her schooling to think about.
23:51Cassian moved into the small side wing where the caskets were kept.
23:54He had managed to keep the cryo units.
23:56He spread a blanket on the floor and slept right there, beside them.
24:00Veda came to find him once.
24:01You've thrown away the entire family empire for a dead woman!
24:04How can you do this to mom?
24:06Cassian looked at her, his voice a ghost of its former self.
24:09Then who is going to make things right for Serafina?
24:13Who is going to make it right for Aurora?
24:18Veda never came back.
24:19Cassian started looking for work.
24:21But in the city, the reputation of a bankrupt heir spreads faster than a virus.
24:26No one would hire him.
24:28He ended up at a construction site in the old district.
24:31Two hundred credits a day.
24:33Working until his back felt like it would snap.
24:35At night, he'd return to the viewing room and eat cheap bread from a convenience store.
24:40Then he'd sit by the caskets and talk to himself.
24:43Serafina, the foreman yelled at me today.
24:46Said I was weak.
24:47Said I didn't work like a real man.
24:49I remembered how you used to tell me to slow down.
24:52That my health was more important.
24:54I thought you were just nagging back then.
24:56Now I realize, you were the only one who actually cared about me.
25:00He pulled out a crumpled cigarette and lit it.
25:05If Aurora were still here, she'd be starting preschool about now.
25:08You always said you wanted her to take piano lessons.
25:11You said rhythm would help stabilize a Phoenix Cub's heart flame.
25:14I told you it was a waste of money.
25:17I'm such a scumbag.
25:19The cigarette burned down to his fingers, but he didn't even feel it.
25:22In the surveillance room, my father looked at me.
25:24Have you seen enough?
25:29I shook my head.
25:31No, I've seen enough.
25:32Get everything ready.
25:33I'm going back to the company next week.
25:35My father asked.
25:36You're taking over?
25:37Yes.
25:38The Averilline Dominion has fallen.
25:40Fine.
25:41But there's one thing you should know.
25:43What is it?
25:45Cassian is looking for you.
25:47It looks like he figured out the bionic decoy was a fake.
25:50And Cassian had.
25:51While going through my remains, he found something that didn't add up.
25:56Tucked inside the pocket of my old winter coat was a crumpled store receipt.
26:00The date on it was three days after I had supposedly died.
26:04It was for a sunberry cream cake, Aurora's favorite.
26:06Dead people don't buy cake.
26:08Cassian stared at the receipt, his hands trembling violently.
26:11I was the one who made sure he found it.
26:16He went straight to that bakery to check the security footage.
26:19On the screen, a woman in a mask was holding a little girl's hand.
26:25Even with her face covered, that silhouette, that walk, it was Serafina and Aurora.
26:30Cassian sprinted out of the store like a madman.
26:33He went everywhere we used to go.
26:35The parks, the malls, the playgrounds.
26:38Finally, outside a private preschool, he saw Aurora.
26:42She was wearing a soft ivory dress embroidered with tiny golden feathers.
26:47The fire veins on her wrist glimmered softly under the winter sun.
26:50A man in a suit was holding her hand, leading her toward a hover car.
26:55Aurora!
26:56Aurora froze, then immediately hid behind the man in the suit.
26:59Sir, what are you doing?
27:01That's my daughter!
27:05Where's Serafina?
27:06Where's her mother?
27:07I don't know anyone named Serafina.
27:09This is my employer's daughter.
27:12Move aside.
27:12Cassian didn't believe him.
27:14He reached out to pull Aurora toward him.
27:16Suddenly, Aurora burst into tears.
27:17Bad man!
27:18You're a bad man!
27:20You made mommy cry!
27:22Cassian went stiff.
27:25Aurora, I'm your daddy.
27:27No, you're not!
27:28My daddy is dead!
27:32Mommy said so!
27:33She said he didn't want us, and now he's dead!
27:38Cassian looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
27:41Just then, a sleek black hover car pulled up to the curb.
27:45The window rolled down slowly.
27:46I sat in the back seat, watching them.
27:49Long time no see, Cassian.
27:52When he saw me, his pupils blew wide with shock.
27:55Serafina, you're really, you're not dead.
27:57No thanks to you, I'm still breathing.
28:00I stepped out of the hover car, walked over to Aurora, and swept her into my arms.
28:05Mommy!
28:05That scary man tried to grab me!
28:08It's okay, baby.
28:10Mommy's here.
28:10Aurora's little heart flame warmed softly against my chest.
28:13Her fire veins glowed a clear, healthy gold.
28:17You played me.
28:19You lied to me this whole time!
28:21I did.
28:23The bionic decoy was a fake.
28:25My death was a setup.
28:29How else was I supposed to make you feel what it's like to lose everything?
28:32How could you be so cruel?
28:34Cruel?
28:36Cassian, were you cruel when you kicked your wife and daughter out onto the polar transport
28:40route in a whiteout storm?
28:41Were you cruel when you refused to pay for her medical peels?
28:45Cassian opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
28:47Give me aMostCenter.org
28:47啰嘴
28:48戴奴我
28:48よ
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