- 1 day ago
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forbidden territory
forbidden territory drama
forbidden territory
forbidden territory drama
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I dated my boyfriend for three months. Then, I slept with his dad. It all started the night I
00:05lost my virginity. That night, I booked a hotel, lit the candles, sprayed the perfume, the kind
00:11that's supposed to get you both worked up. I was gonna give him my first time. I figured once we
00:17did it, we'd be solid. I texted him. I was waiting in the room, nothing back. Time kept going. I
00:23was
00:23about to call him. Then there was a knock. Quiet. Fast. I was so excited, I barely thought twice.
00:28Just ran to the door and opened it. A gun, right against my forehead. I froze. There was a guy
00:34at
00:34the door, soaked through, breathing hard. Eyes like nothing. I had no clue who he was. Only one thing
00:41in my head, one wrong move, and I was dead. I'll do whatever you want. Take your clothes off.
00:50He's on this floor. I got it. He was running from somebody, and I was just the unlucky girl who
00:56opened the door. Next thing, he had me on the bed, kissing me hard. I didn't fight. I couldn't. Those
01:01footsteps kept getting closer. My heart was so loud I could hear it. A few seconds, the footsteps
01:07stopped, then started moving away. We were good. He let go. Didn't say a word. Just got up to leave.
01:12Wait. He stopped. The room got quiet. Too quiet. I sat there on the bed, heart going crazy. I'd set
01:20everything up for Ethan tonight. The perfume. The kind of perfume that makes things get out of hand.
01:26Now there was just me and him. The smell was still in the air. Something was shifting. He turned around,
01:33looked at me. Different look this time. Not cold. Not calculating. Something he wasn't quite holding
01:39back. He stood there for a second, then walked back over. I didn't move. Didn't even think about
01:44who he was anymore. My head was empty. One thought left. Don't let him leave.
01:50He came toward me. Slow. No room to back up. Too close. I could feel him breathing. Close enough,
01:57I could feel his heat coming through his clothes. It wasn't just physical pressure. It was like being
02:02seen all the way through. Locked down. Nowhere to go. I should have fought. Should have pushed him off.
02:08But I didn't move. Worse, I let him. Just thinking that made my chest tight. My body went rigid. I
02:14knew
02:14this was bad. I couldn't stop. The next evening, I had to drag myself to that party. I've been zoning
02:20out
02:20all day. All day. My mind kept replaying last night. Every lingering, tangled moment of it. I was
02:26supposed to give Ethan my first time. Instead, I gave it to a guy whose name I didn't even know.
02:32I was
02:32lost in it when Ethan walked up. Big smile. Little apology. Said something came up last night. He
02:38hadn't meant to bail. He said he will make it up to me tonight. The party kicked off. Lights, music,
02:44people everywhere. Ethan was working the room. Drinks, handshakes, dancing with two different girls.
02:50He looked like he belonged there. Like that was actually his life. I just stood off to the side.
02:55Felt like I didn't fit. Then the whole place went quiet. Just for a second. A car pulled up. A
03:01guy got out.
03:02Suit. Presence so heavy, you couldn't really look straight at him. People started whispering.
03:07That's Victor. He actually showed up.
03:15Dad. You made it. I looked up. Right at his eyes. Time stopped for a second. I knew that face.
03:22And he
03:23knew mine. The guy from last night. My head went blank. I forgot how to breathe. He wasn't just some
03:29guy.
03:29He was Ethan's dad. The one everyone here was scared of. Victor. Ethan pulled me forward. Big grin.
03:36Ethan introduced me to Victor. The air went dead. I forced a smile and got out a little,
03:41sir? Victor looked at me. Long second. He stepped in for the hug. Polite. Controlled.
03:47Sir. That's not what you called me last night.
03:51Last night. Last night. You were calling me daddy.
03:56My eyes went huge. The whole room blurred. Took me forever to even hear what was happening around
04:02me. Ethan caught something was off. He asked Victor what he just said. Victor smiled real small,
04:09looked me up and down, then turned to Ethan, said his tastes improving. That was the first time his dad
04:15had ever said anything good about him. Ethan was blown away. He couldn't even hide how excited he
04:21was. I couldn't breathe. Victor said a couple more polite things and walked off. But I knew him
04:28leaving wasn't the end. You two still going? It's been what, three months? I heard she's still a virgin.
04:34So what's she like in bed, man? She a freak? She act like a porn star for you?
04:38I felt the rage hit. Hot. All up my throat. But the worst part, Ethan didn't shut it down. He
04:44just
04:45laughed. Like this was a normal thing his friend said. I shoved him off. The guys around us were
04:50stunned for half a second. Then somebody jumped in. Kiss her. Kiss her. Kiss her. Getting louder.
04:56Ethan's face came down toward mine. I don't know why, but the face in my head right then wasn't his.
05:02It was the guy from last night. The one I couldn't stop thinking about. The one I couldn't look at
05:06myself for. Right before Ethan's mouth hit mine, I shoved him off. I basically ran out of there.
05:12Got back to my hotel room. Leaned against the door for a long time. Couldn't think straight. I kept
05:18asking myself, was it last night? Or was it him? Then, a hand, from behind, wrapped around me. I
05:24jumped a foot in the air. Victor. I yanked away from him. Spun around. Why is him here? Victor was
05:31just
05:31standing there. Said he wanted to see me. Like it was the most obvious thing. I backed up. He
05:36grabbed my wrist. Last night, I was leaving. You're the one who told me to stay.
05:43I'm dating your son! Then tell me, are you scared of me? I'm not scared of you.
05:56The way you called me daddy last night.
06:02I'm not going to forget that.
06:07You wanted it, didn't you?
06:14You're a freak!
06:19You're nothing compared to Ethan.
06:23I basically ran out of the room. The hallway lights were too bright. I felt hollow. Went
06:29straight downstairs. Didn't look back once. What I didn't know, Victor wasn't following
06:33me. He was just standing there, watching the way I'd gone. His eyes deeper than before.
06:38Like for the first time, something actually had his attention. I got outside, tried to get
06:43a cab. But of course, nothing was coming. Not at this hour. Empty street. Just me. My heart
06:49was still slamming. Then a whistle from somewhere down the block. I looked. Some guy was staring
06:54at me. A kind of look that makes your skin crawl. He started walking over. Looked me up
06:59and down. I went stiff. That's when it hit me. I just got out of one mess. And walked straight
07:03into a worse one.
07:10You've got the wrong girl. I'm just waiting for a ride.
07:18Waiting for a ride? Dressed like that? I've got cash. Come with me. Stop pretending.
07:25I lost it. Pulled out my phone. Called Ethan. The line picked up, but it wasn't him. It was
07:30a girl. Laughing, saying something soft, flirty, and Ethan in the background close. Voice I'd
07:36never heard him use before. I just stood there. Forgot to even talk. The line went dead. I
07:41stared at my phone, heart sinking by the second. The guy in front of me was done waiting.
07:47Whoever you're calling, not coming. Come with me.
07:55Stop fighting. My boss is Victor. Nobody touches me on this block. Victor. I went rigid for a
08:03second. Crazy thought hit me. Was this his setup? Was he testing me? Punishing me? The guy saw
08:08me freeze. He liked it. That made me explode. I said they both fucking sipes. That set him
08:13off. His grip got worse. I dropped my head and bit him. Hot. He yelped and let go. I was
08:19at the end of it. The fear had peaked. Right when I thought I was done, headlights blasted
08:24into the alley. So bright, I couldn't see. A black car. Doors opened. Somebody got out.
08:29Gun in his hand. Steel cold in the half light. He didn't say a word. Just walked toward us.
08:35The whole alley shifted. The guy holding me got cocky for a second. He stopped mid-word,
08:40like something hit him in the throat, because he could see who it was. The cocky look fell off
08:46his face. Pure fear. He stepped back. I went still as well. My heart skipped. I followed
08:51his eyes, and I saw the guy walking up. Him. The guy from last night. Ethan's dad. Victor.
08:59Victor raised the gun. Aimed steady. Bang. Right in the leg. The guy screamed and went down.
09:05Face white as paper. Get lost. Don't let me see you here again. Next time, I won't be this
09:12merciful. The guy crawled away. Didn't even look back. The alley went silent. Just rain.
09:18Victor walked over to me. I was frozen. Couldn't move. He didn't say anything. Just bent down and
09:24picked me up. I didn't even register what was happening before I was in his car. The rain
09:28got harder. The car was so quiet, I could hear my own heart. Victor tossed me a towel to let
09:34me dry off. I took it. Started wiping my arms. Couldn't stop looking at him. He was soaked
09:39too. Water running down the side of his face. I hesitated, unsure whether I should help him
09:44wipe the water. Before I could think it through, I was already reaching for him before I finished,
09:49wiping his face. Soft. He let me. The air slowed down, and my head wouldn't stop. Last night,
09:55the one night I was trying to forget, couldn't. My breath went ragged. I yanked my hand back,
10:01like I'd scared myself. Victor watched me. There was a hint of something in his eyes I couldn't name.
10:07His eyes went down my body. Stopped at my legs. I looked away, fast. Tried to dry myself.
10:20Break up with Ethan. Be with me. No way! I'm not breaking up with him. We're serious.
10:30And you're his dad. We can't ever happen.
10:40Yeah. Wasn't I already your daddy last night?
10:47His mouth was on mine. The car went dead silent. Distance gone. Breathing tangled. For a second,
10:54I forgot who he was. Forgot who I was. I don't know how long it lasted. We finally broke. I
11:00was
11:00dazed. Looks like your body is more honest than you are. I basically ran into my building, but my head
11:05was full of it. I could have pushed him off. I didn't. I didn't even want to. I was still
11:10spaced out
11:11when Wendy came down the stairs. She didn't push. Just reminded me, don't forget about the party
11:17tomorrow night. And picked my outfit. I don't want to go, but I cannot refuse. Otherwise,
11:22Wendy would have me thrown out of a work-onization. The one I had always longed to be a part
11:27of. I went
11:27quiet. Nodded. Next night, I put on what Wendy had laid out for me. Some skin-tight little kitten
11:33thing. Way too much stot. I walked into the venue. Stopped dead. Soft lights. Everyone in formal wear.
11:39Nobody in costume. Nobody dressed crazy. This wasn't a costume party. I was the joke. Every eye in the
11:45room. Every flash. All on me. I scanned the crowd. Wendy was standing in the middle of it. Gown. Hair
11:51done. Right next to Ethan. Like they belonged there. Like that was their default.
12:01Why would you do this?
12:04Wendy walked up to me real slow. Eyes full of it. She wasn't even hiding the contempt. She looked me
12:11over. Said, I'm interesting today. I just stood there. My chest sinking by the second. Wendy just
12:16turned and grabbed Ethan. Right in front of me. Kissed him. The crowd went insane. She finally pulled
12:22back and looked at me. Smiling. I felt like somebody had hit me with a bat. I just stared at
12:27them. My
12:28boyfriend. My best friend. Standing there. Like it was nothing. That broke something in me. I stepped
12:33up and slapped Wendy across the face. The sound cut through the whole hole. She didn't even react
12:39for a second. Then she covered her cheek and ran into Ethan's arms. Tears already coming. Next thing I
12:45knew, Ethan kicked me. Hard. I went down. Back. Hit the floor. Couldn't breathe. Ethan stood over me. Looked down
12:51at me. Who do you think you are? When did I ever say you were my girlfriend? It was just
12:57a bet. See if I
12:59could close you in three months. You were way easier than I thought. That was it. My world collapsed. The
13:07crowd was eating it up. Their voices everywhere. Too loud. Wendy walked up. Heels clicking. Stopped right in
13:13front of me. Looked down. Eyes empty. I tried to get up. Wendy stepped on my hand. Pain shot up
13:18my arm. I grit my
13:19teeth. The crowd just laughed louder. Somebody started saying it was all just a game. Somebody
13:25said they'd been watching me make a fool of myself the whole time. My ears were ringing.
13:29You guys don't even know what she's like in private. Looks all sweet, right? Trust me.
13:36She's a thirsty little slut. All right. Let me show you the real her.
13:44I started backing up inch by inch. Like I was trying to dodge something I couldn't take.
13:49Heart pounding. Couldn't breathe right. I'd never been this scared in my life. I jumped up. Didn't
13:55think. Just went for his phone. I couldn't let him show it. I couldn't. Right as I almost got there,
14:01my foot caught. Somebody tripped me. I went down hard. Palms scraping the floor. Burning. Before I
14:06could get up, somebody grabbed my hair. Wendy. She looked down. That cruel little smile. The screen at
14:12the front of the hall lit up. Every head in the room turned. I followed. Everything in me dropped.
14:17On the screen videos, I'd sent Ethan. The ones I thought were just for the two of us. The most
14:22private things I had. Now blown up. Public. In front of everyone. I couldn't even react. The room
14:29was already laughing. No way. She did that? She acts so innocent? She's freaky in private? Total
14:36opposite, huh? Wendy yanked my head harder. Made me look at the screen. I was shaking. Couldn't fight back.
14:42Had nothing left. Ethan was just standing there. Didn't try to stop it. He was watching it all happen.
14:47Like he was enjoying a show. I couldn't breathe. The laughing got worse. Phones came out.
14:53Everybody filming. Like I was the joke. I gave up. Collapsed on the floor. Tears wouldn't stop.
14:58I tried to talk. Nothing came out. The whole world was going blurry. Then the doorway went quiet for a
15:04second. Like somebody had walked in. I didn't have it in me to look. I just lay there. Let it
15:09happen.
15:09Until I heard somebody say, he's here.
15:14I was on the floor. Done. Tears just kept coming. Then a hand. Right in front of me. I looked
15:20up
15:20through the tears. Victor. I grabbed his hand on instinct. Like I was drowning. He pulled me up.
15:26Took off his jacket. Wrapped it around me. Pulled me into him. Then his other hand came up. Gun.
15:31Pointed at the crowd. The whole hall went dead. His eyes moved across every face. Finally landed on
15:38Ethan. Ethan went white. He stepped back. Bang. A shot. The bullet grazed Ethan's ear. Blood ran
15:44down the side of his neck. Ethan grabbed his ear and screamed. Hit his knees. Total silence. Nobody moved.
15:51You're shooting at me. For her? Be glad. All I did was hurt you. I didn't kill you.
16:03Victor finally looked at Ethan. Eyes ice. Everybody in the room sucked in a breath at the same time.
16:09Then Victor turned. Kissed me. Right there. In front of everyone. Like he was making a statement.
16:15Starting now. Zoe is mine. Which makes her your stepmom. Call her that. Or I take your name.
16:28Throw you out of this family.
16:30Mom.
16:34Victor took me home. Carried me the whole way. I was still coming down off the chaos. My fingers
16:39were still shaking. I thanked him quietly. He looked at me. Eyes deep. He looked at me. His gaze
16:45deep. Almost as if my thanks weren't enough for him. The air shifted. Got dangerous. I froze. Heart
16:52picking up. I couldn't keep holding it back. I stood up. Walked over to him. Step by step. Leaned in.
16:58Kissed him. Kissed him. I thought he'd go for it. Instead he pushed me off. I just stared. Victor was
17:05looking at me. Voice low. Holding back. He said if he come for me. He'll do it right. And I'll
17:12come to
17:13him willing. Not like this. Not when I'm not myself. He turned and walked out. The door closed. I just
17:20stood there. Heart everywhere. Next morning. Doorbell. I opened it. I froze. Roses in his
17:29hand. Suit. Calm face. Like the guy who'd been firing a gun yesterday. Wasn't even him. He looked
17:36at me. Said he'd like to take me out properly. I wanted to say no. But the word wouldn't come.
17:41Finally, I just said, okay. But today, we do what I want. Done. Today's all yours. You're
17:49the princess. I'm just your knight. I took Victor to an amusement park. He didn't fit. Not
18:00even close. Suit. Ara. Standing in a crowd of teenagers. Eating cotton candy. But I went and
18:07bought a pair of cat ears. Handed them to him. He frowned. A second. Then he took them.
18:13Put them on. I almost laughed out loud. This guy who controlled everything. Wearing cat
18:18ears. Because of me. We did the carousel. I kept looking at his face. None of it felt
18:26real. Yesterday, he was holding a gun. Today, he was riding a kid's ride. And I was actually
18:32starting to feel happy. Night came. We got on the ferris wheel. The city lights
18:37got smaller. The car got quiet. Private. He looked at me. I looked at him. Neither of
18:44us said anything. Then he reached over and pulled me into him. I didn't fight it. We
18:49were close. Breeding together. He kissed me. Slower than any of the others. Deeper. Like
18:56he was making sure of something. Right when we hit the top fireworks. I froze. He whispered.
19:02It is for me. That was it. Gave in. I nodded. Said yes to him protecting me. Said yes to
19:09not running anymore. He looked at me. Eyes deeper than before. Then he picked me up. I
19:30morning. I got woken up. By somebody banging on the door. My chest tightened. For no reason. I
19:36dragged myself over. I opened it. Froze. Eton Wendy. Right behind him. Stepped back. Demanding
19:42to know what they were doing here. They didn't answer. Just walked in. Before I could react.
19:47Somebody shoved me. Hard. I hitched the floor. Couldn't breathe for a second. I curled up.
19:52You ruined our lives. You think you can hide forever? I was glaring up at her. Full of rage.
20:00Before I could speak, a shadow moved over me. I looked up. Ethan was standing there. Holding
20:06a baseball bat. His face cold. Vicious. Almost out of control. He walked closer. Slow. Stood
20:13over me. Then raised the bat. Time stretched out. I forgot to breathe. I just watched it come
20:22down. Survival kicked in. I scrambled up. Bolted. I couldn't stop. I stopped. I was
20:30dead. Just get out. Just get out. And I had a chance. I made it to the door. Stopped
20:35dead. Outside. Already waiting. Ethan's guys. That was it. Last hope gone. A hand grabbed
20:42me from behind. Somebody clamped a hand over my mouth. I could only manage broken little sounds.
20:47They were rough. Dragged me to a car. Rope went on me. Wrists. Waist. Cold and tight. Other
20:54end of the rope tied to the car. The engine started. The car moved. I had to run. I kept
20:59up at first. But I burned out fast. Breathing went wild. Vision started going. My legs felt
21:05like lead. One step. Two. Then I went down hard. The road tore through my skin like a knife.
21:11Every second. Vision started fading. Right before everything went black. Only one face in my head.
21:17Victor. I came to. Head was a mess. My body felt wrecked. Even breathing hurt. I opened
21:25my eyes. Victor was standing there. Ethan took me to Victor. Before I could get a word
21:30out. Ethan threw a stack of so-called evidence down in front of Victor. He accused me of going
21:36behind Victor's back. His voice kept getting bigger. Like he was scoring points. I panicked.
21:42Shaking my head. I tried to crawl over. Tried to get to Victor. My body gave out. I went
21:47down again. Black spots. Right as I was about to lose at hands. Picking me up. Victor. There
21:52was a flicker of panic in his face. Then. The air changed. I felt it. Everything in him
21:58went dark. Like the calm before a storm. He looked at Ethan. That look pure ice. Before
22:04Ethan could speak. Bang. A shot. Right by my ear.
22:09Victor. Anybody who touches her. Dies. The whole place went out of control. Every guy
22:18who'd been so cocky a minute ago was being dragged out. Pinned. Hauled away. Nobody got
22:24to even fight. The air was just fear. Ethan and Wendy were on their knees. Begging. Ethan
22:29was scrambling. Pushing the evidence forward again. Like it was his last shot. Then the room
22:35went silent. Because Victor barely glanced at it. Then gave a little laugh. The kind
22:40that makes you cold. Victor looked up. Said Ethan didn't notice. The man in those photos
22:45is himself. That landed like a bomb. Ethan went stiff. All the color drained out of his
22:50face. Wendy froze. Forgot to breathe. Victor didn't give them a chance. He just lifted his
22:57hand. Both of them got dragged out. I could hear them begging all the way down the hall.
23:01Then nothing. I was just standing there. I just wanted to leave. Right now. But Victor didn't move.
23:07He was just standing there. Thinking about something. That's when I noticed it. The other
23:12side of the room. Stuff in the corner. I really didn't want to see. Rope. A whip. Cold metal. My
23:18stomach dropped. Bad feeling. Was he still not believing me? Then Victor walked over. Picked up a
23:24length of rope. Turned to me. But his face was calm. Calm in a way I hadn't expected.
23:32You went through a lot today. Use this. Tie me up. Whatever you want to do to me. I want
23:39you to feel
23:39better. A few days later. Ethan and Wendy showed up at my door. Said there was something I had to
23:47know.
23:47I frowned. Got nervous. Ethan said slowly. My father was not who I think he was. He was Victor's
23:53traitor. I jerked my head up. No way. My dad lived a quiet life. Never made enemies. Worked. Came home.
24:00Repeat. There was no way he was tied up with Victor. Wendy stepped in. Voice. Ice. 15 years ago. He
24:06betrayed William. Victor's predecessor. That whole thing almost destroyed the family. My head went
24:13blank. No. They're lying. Ethan threw a photo in my face. A photo of my dad's back. Showing a long
24:22scar. A bullet wound. My hand started shaking. Regular guys don't have scars like that.
24:31You know how he died?
24:36He got handled. And the guy who did it was Victor.
24:42That scar on Victor's back? That's from your dad.
24:47You really think if you found out who you really are, I'd keep you around?
24:54Take the hint and leave. Don't make him come do it himself.
24:58I didn't stay to listen. I left feeling completely empty. But there was one thing in my head. I needed
25:04to hear it from Victor. I didn't trust them. I trusted him. I went to his office. The door was
25:10open to a
25:11crack. I pushed it open a little more. Then I went stiff. Inside the office. There was a woman.
25:19Beautiful. I didn't know her. Sitting next to him. Close. Then she kissed him. And Victor didn't move
25:26away. What I just saw, I felt it like a fist to the chest. Tears just came. No warning. That
25:34woman.
25:34She was striking. Confident. Standing next to Victor. Like she belonged there. Then I remembered
25:41something Ethan had said. The one that got away. That was her. I couldn't watch. I turned around
25:47and ran. Night came. I was alone in my room. Just hugging myself. The scene from earlier was on a
25:54loop
25:54in my head. I figured he wouldn't come. Familiar footsteps. Before I could react, he was right in front of
26:01me.
26:02No explanation. No pause. He just leaned in and kissed me. I went still. Right then, I couldn't
26:08tell was I angry or was I just craving him. When I came back to myself, the bad feeling was
26:14even worse.
26:15I backed up a little. I asked, who was that woman told a quiet voice? But I couldn't hide what
26:20was
26:20in it. Victor didn't answer right away. He just looked at me. Then pulled me back into him. His breath
26:26was right against my ear. My breathing went wrong. Before I could deny it, his hand tightened on me.
26:32I couldn't go anywhere. And today, you take control.
26:41Something pushed me. I climbed onto his lap. We were close. Close enough, I could hear his heartbeat.
26:47I tried not to think about anything from earlier. But the harder I tried, the louder it got in my
26:52head.
26:52Ethan's voice. On a loop. I started slowing down. Drifting Victor noticed. Next thing, he pulled me
26:58back in. Took control again. Then my hand brushed his back. A scar. Long. Real. Right then, everything
27:04snapped together. What Ethan said. What Wendy said. The stuff I didn't want to be true. Was getting more
27:10real by the second. This man I'd fallen for. Might be the man who destroyed everything I came from.
27:16Victor stopped. Looked at me. Asked. What am I thinking? I didn't answer. I just looked at him.
27:22Then set it quiet. If somebody lied to you. Betrayed you. What would you do? The room went still.
27:27Kill them. That's the only outcome. Everything in me went under. Every little hope. Gone. I looked at him.
27:34Eyes hardening. Pulling away. I knew time to go.
27:38Next morning, I left a note on the table. Two lines.
27:42I'm gone. Don't look for me. The sun was out. There was a couple holding hands on the corner.
27:48I looked once. Looked away. That kind of simple thing wasn't going to happen for me. What was
27:52between us wasn't just secrets. Or our families. It was something we couldn't get past. My dad,
27:58him. The whole bloody mess between us. Even if I still loved him. I didn't get to stay. The airport
28:03was packed. I was just rolling my suitcase. Lining up. Going through security. Like a normal person.
28:09Almost at the gate, I noticed a few guys looking around. Black suits. Earpieces. Sharp eyes. They
28:15were looking for somebody. Were they here for me? They moved fast. Right when I was about to clear
28:20security. Pain. Somebody yanked me back by my hair. Ethan. Wendy right beside him. Cold stare. I didn't even
28:28get to fight back. They had me in a car. Next second, a gun against my side. Victor knows who
28:38you really are. You think he's letting you walk away? He wouldn't. You're too naive. You think he's
28:47going to keep his enemy's daughter around? The air got tight. I didn't want to believe. But the fear
28:53was crawling up. Then out the window. A car I knew. Coming up the road. My heart slammed. Him.
28:59Victor. Came out of me. Before I could stop it. Pure. Panic. Last sliver of hope. The car outside
29:05slowed down. Like it picked up. No. Something. A hand clamped over my mouth. Cut me off. I fought.
29:14Couldn't get more than a muffled sound out. That car I knew was right there. The window came down.
29:19Victor was inside. I needed him to see me. I needed him to hear me. I couldn't do anything.
29:24Victor's voice. Slow. Calm. He asked if Ethan had found her. Ethan was visibly thrown. As he said,
29:30they hadn't. A second of silence. I stared at the car. Tears blurring everything. I just wanted him
29:36to look one more time. Victor just nodded. The window went up. The car drove off. Got smaller. Then
29:42gone. Everything in me sank. That was the last hope. Gone with him. The car started up again. Drove out
29:48somewhere remote. Empty. Quiet enough to scare you. The door yanked open. Somebody dragged me out.
29:53Before I got my feet under me. Slap. Across the face. So hard. My head snapped. Ringing in my ears.
30:00Windy. Standing in front of me. Eyes I didn't recognize. Today. I'm going to make you regret it.
30:12I fought. It didn't matter. Next thing. Kick to the side. I went down. Couldn't breathe. Ethan stood
30:17over me. Eyes I didn't know. Don't worry. We're not letting you out that easy. That was when I got
30:23it.
30:23They weren't going to kill me. They were going to drag it out. They hauled me to some abandoned
30:28warehouse. Empty. Dead. Silent. Before I got my balance, somebody grabbed my hair. Next second,
30:35my head was in a bucket of water. Cold flooded everything. I couldn't breathe. I tried to fight.
30:41They held me down. That. My lungs burned. Right before I blacked out. They pulled me up. I coughed
30:46everywhere. Couldn't catch my breath. Pushed back down. Again. Again. Then bang. The warehouse door
30:52slammed open. A guy in the doorway. Backlit. Gun. In his hand. Then I caught Ethan's face. He had this
30:59weird little smile. The second I saw who walked in, my heart dropped. Not Victor Iris. The woman.
31:10She walked in calm. Like she owned everything. Victor's guys behind her. Last hope. Crushed.
31:21You actually thought you could beat me? Victor and I have known each other for decades.
31:34What we have, you don't get to touch. Stop bothering him. You're just something he picked up on a whim.
32:08I didn't want to believe it. I had one thing in my head. I wanted to see Victor. One more
32:14time.
32:15Just once. Iris just stared at me. Like I was an idiot. She said. He's not coming. You
32:21disappointed him too much. She pulled out her phone. Hit play. A voice came out.
32:26Deal with her.
32:27Victor's. Let Iris handle me. Two words. Cut me wide open. I went still. Tears just kept falling.
32:34So it was real.
32:38Do it.
32:39Everything left me. A gun pointed at my chest. Cold. Final. I shut my eyes. Last thing in my head.
32:46Victor. Do you really want me dead? Ethan and Wendy were laughing somewhere.
32:50Sharp. Smug. I didn't even fight. Then bang. But the pain didn't come. I opened my eyes.
32:57The bullet that should have hit me got knocked off course by another one.
33:02Everybody froze.
33:09Door. A figure walked in. Black suit. Heavy presence. Guns still smoking.
33:16Victor. He came. The whole world came back on.
33:38I'm sorry. I'm late.
33:45She's a traitor's daughter. She has to die.
33:55It's not what you think.
33:57If she doesn't die, we don't follow you anymore.
34:03We can pick Iris.
34:05Power was shifting in real time.
34:08Victor was quiet for a beat.
34:10Then he let go of me.
34:12I felt it like a hole opening up.
34:15Next second, he raised his hand.
34:18Black gun barrel.
34:20Pointed at me.
34:22I went rigid.
34:23Couldn't breathe.
34:24I couldn't believe it.
34:26Wouldn't.
34:27Was he actually going to kill me?
34:33The gun was on me.
34:35Air went solid.
34:37Ethan and Wendy were right there.
34:40Smug.
34:41Eyes full of payback.
34:45Iris walked up.
34:46Voice all silk.
34:48I just stood there.
34:48Tears running.
34:49Heart breaking apart.
34:51I looked at Victor.
34:52I wanna know.
34:53What was I to him?
34:54He didn't answer.
34:55He just looked at me.
34:56Then, bang.
34:58I shut my eyes.
34:59The pain didn't come.
35:01Next second, something gave it my wrist.
35:04Cut by the bullet.
35:05Clean.
35:06I opened my eyes.
35:08Before I could process, Victor dropped the gun and ran at me.
35:23Don't be scared.
35:25Nobody's hurting you.
35:27I'm never leaving you.
35:29Ever.
35:32Are you planning to have everyone betray you?
35:39Boss, you're putting yourself at odds with your own family.
35:43Just for a woman?
35:47Two things.
35:50One, anyone who wants to walk, walk now.
35:58Two, Zoe's father wasn't a traitor.
36:02Whole room went still.
36:04Then, even bigger noise.
36:06Voices everywhere.
36:08Even Iris' face changed.
36:10Then, Victoria lifted his hand.
36:13Old file.
36:14Up in the air.
36:20He said the proof's right here.
36:22Fifteen years ago, Zoe's father had always only been in touch with me.
36:27He wasn't a traitor.
36:29He was my man inside the enemy's house.
36:31He is Victor's informant.
36:35If it wasn't for Tom, if he hadn't sacrificed himself, none of us would be standing here.
36:40He gave us our chance to live.
36:42His death?
36:43That's on me.
36:44But I didn't kill him.
36:46Every doubt in the room dropped.
36:48His people looked at each other.
36:50Started bowing their heads.
36:52Apologies all over the place.
36:54I just stood there.
36:55Couldn't see straight from the tears.
36:57Only Iris hadn't moved.
37:00Everything's in here.
37:02Tom never betrayed anybody.
37:04He's clean.
37:07He was a hero.
37:09Standing straight.
37:10Eyes hard.
37:10She said, even if she died for it, she would never apologize.
37:14Victor looked at her.
37:15Didn't say anything.
37:16He just handed the gun to me.
37:18He said, it's my call.
37:19The whole room went still.
37:21Every eye on me.
37:22I took the gun.
37:22My hands were shaking.
37:24I walked over to Iris.
37:25One step at a time.
37:26She was still smiling.
37:28Still looking down on me.
37:29I stared at her.
37:30Every bit of pain, humiliation, despair came back at once.
37:34Next second.
37:35Bang.
37:37The shot went off.
37:39Iris jerked back with a sharp sound.
37:41The bullet grazed her shoulder.
37:43Not fatal.
37:43Enough to break her.
37:44She closed her eyes.
37:46Her breathing went off rhythm.
37:47The room stayed dead quiet.
37:49Everybody waiting on her.
37:51A few seconds.
37:52She opened her eyes.
37:53I'm sorry.
37:54Pride still there.
37:55But humiliation under it now.
37:56Take her away.
37:57Den, Ethan, and Wendy.
37:59Wendy went white.
38:00Before she could speak, somebody had her.
38:02Victor said,
38:04Starting today, Wendy is never to set foot in this city again.
38:07Starting today, Wendy doesn't set foot in this city again.
38:09She fought.
38:10They dragged her out anyway.
38:11Ethan was just standing there.
38:13Hollow.
38:13Victor looked at him.
38:14Voice colder.
38:15He said,
38:15Ethan doesn't belong to his family anymore.
38:18That hit him harder than any beating could.
38:20Ethan's legs gave.
38:21He went down right there.
38:23Just empty.
38:24Victor turned around.
38:27Didn't look at any of them.
38:28He walked over to me.
38:29Put his hand out.
38:31I looked at him for a second.
38:32Then I put my hand in his.
38:34He held it tight.
38:35We walked out of there.
38:36Together.
38:46Back in the car.
38:48The air was charged.
38:49I leaned into the seat.
38:50Head still messy.
38:51I had to ask.
38:52The relationship between Victor and Iris.
38:54I want to know if I am just a stand-in for her.
38:57Victor looked at me.
38:57And then laughed.
38:58Small.
38:59Reached out.
39:00Touched my face.
39:01Said, that's bullshit.
39:02She's a business partner.
39:03That's it.
39:04Something in me let go a little.
39:05Without thinking.
39:06I'd already leaned into him.
39:07His hand came around my waist.
39:09Didn't move it.
39:10Tightened slowly instead.
39:11The air in the car went thick.
39:13My heart blew up.
39:14Before I could react.
39:16Can we start?
39:17The divider between us and the driver came out.
39:19Sealed off.
39:20Just us.
39:25He pulled his tie loose.
39:27Slow.
39:27Easy.
39:28Then the tie was right in front of my eyes.
39:30Then over them.
39:31Black.
39:31My breathing went off.
39:37Everything else got louder.
39:39Closer.
39:40His breath.
39:40Coming in.
39:41Heat.
39:42Closer.
39:42Right at my ear.
39:44So low it shook me.
39:45Kiss me.
39:46I grabbed onto his shirt.
39:48I was a mess already.
39:50He kept coming.
39:52On purpose.
39:53Inch by inch.
39:54Wasn't giving me anywhere to go.
40:03I was in his arms.
40:05Then my breathing went wrong.
40:07Something nasty came up out of nowhere.
40:10Next second, I started gagging.
40:13Couldn't breathe right.
40:14Victor's whole face changed.
40:16One hand kept me steady.
40:18The other was on his phone.
40:20No room to argue.
40:27Arrange a doctor immediately.
40:29The car turned around fast.
40:31Drove like hell.
40:35His private doctor did a quick check.
40:38His face shifted.
40:40He congratulated us.
40:41He said.
40:42Congratulations.
40:43She is not sick.
40:44She is pregnant.
40:46The room stopped for a second.
40:48Victor and I both looked up.
40:50Met each other's eyes.
40:51Everything froze.
40:52His hand was still holding mine.
40:55Slowly tightened.
40:56I could feel it.
40:58He was holding back how happy he was.
41:04The high from the news hadn't even won off.
41:08My head was already nervous.
41:10Ethan, he's never going to accept this kid.
41:13I knew exactly what he was.
41:15He hated me.
41:16Hated all of this.
41:17Victor looked at me.
41:18His face went serious.
41:20Like he was deciding something.
41:21There's something I've never told you.
41:25Ethan isn't my biological son.
41:28He's my brother's child.
41:32Before my brother died.
41:34He handed Ethan to me.
41:37He doesn't know.
41:38And he doesn't need to.
41:46You don't worry about him.
41:49Starting now.
41:50Nobody touches you.
41:52Every nervous thing in me settled down.
41:55Right then.
41:56Every fear.
41:57Every old hurt.
41:58I'd been carrying.
41:59I felt them land somewhere safe.
42:01I leaned into him.
42:03First time I thought maybe the future actually was something I could trust.
42:12First prenatal checkup.
42:14Victor was supposed to come right before we left.
42:17He got an emergency call.
42:19Had to run before he left.
42:24He put a small diamond pin in my hand.
42:27He said, anything happens, I can use this.
42:30However, something in me felt off.
42:33I'll see you around.
42:36Okay.
42:42The hospital looked normal.
42:44I was cold for no reason.
42:45The exam started.
42:47The doctor was looking at the chart.
42:49Froning.
42:49He said, the baby's a little unstable.
42:52The tests, they came back with some unusual results.
42:55They need to give me a quick injection.
42:57Something was wrong.
42:58I stood up.
42:59Wait.
43:00I want to.
43:01Click.
43:01The door locked.
43:02I went stiff.
43:03Spun around.
43:04Locked from the inside.
43:06Air got heavy.
43:07Heart picking up.
43:08What are you?
43:08I didn't get to finish.
43:10The curtain on the other side of the room moved.
43:13Somebody walked out.
43:14Ethan looked at me.
43:16Smiled.
43:17Smiled that made my skin crawl.
43:25The baby is innocent.
43:31That kid is going to take everything that should be mine.
43:37Everything in me dropped.
43:39I'm not letting it live.
43:40He picked the syringe up off the tray.
43:43Started walking toward me.
43:45I backed up.
43:47The door was locked.
43:49Nowhere to go.
43:51Don't.
43:52Shaking head.
43:53Whole body trembling.
43:55He didn't slow down.
43:56The needle caught the light.
43:58Closer.
43:59I was almost done.
44:00Then.
44:01The pin.
44:01Victor said.
44:02Use it.
44:03That was the last shot.
44:05I reached for it.
44:06Before I could press it.
44:07Slap.
44:08Eason grabbed it.
44:09Stomach dropped.
44:10Next second.
44:11He smashed it on the floor.
44:13Sharp.
44:14Crack.
44:20Diamonds split.
44:22Into pieces.
44:23Like my last hope.
44:24Gone.
44:28Ethan tied me back to the chair.
44:31The rope cut into my wrist.
44:32The fear ran through me.
44:34I was shaking my head.
44:35Voice broken.
44:36Please.
44:37Just leave the baby alone.
44:39Nothing in his face moved.
44:41Next second.
44:41He punched me.
44:43Pain everywhere.
44:44I almost blacked out.
44:46He looked down at me.
44:47Like I was something he had to take out.
44:49Raised his hand again.
44:50This one was going to do it.
44:53Then.
44:53Bang.
44:54The hospital room door.
44:56Got kicked in.
44:57I jerked my head up.
44:58Victor.
44:59Standing in the doorway.
45:01Next second.
45:02He was across the room.
45:04Punched Ethan square in the face.
45:06Ethan staggered.
45:07Victor didn't even look at him.
45:09Came around to me.
45:10Are you okay?
45:11His hand was tight.
45:13I shook my head.
45:14I'm fine.
45:15Voice small.
45:16I'm okay.
45:17Just shaken.
45:18He let out a tiny breath.
45:22Then.
45:23Another shot.
45:24Bullet hit Ethan's arm.
45:26Are you out of your mind?
45:31I'm your son.
45:34You're not my son.
45:38Victor pulled adoption papers out of his coat.
45:40Held them in front of Ethan.
45:42Air went dead.
45:43Ethan's hand started shaking.
45:44He stared at that paper.
45:46Like the floor had dropped out.
45:47Murmuring under his breath.
45:49That's not possible.
45:50Next second.
45:50He pulled out a gun.
45:51Pointed it at us.
45:52I held my breath.
45:53Art almost stopped.
45:54Before anybody could move.
45:55Bang.
45:55Not at us.
45:56At himself.
45:56Blood everywhere.
45:57The adoption papers soaked red.
46:07Later.
46:08Victor took me back to the room.
46:12Where everything started.
46:14He stood there.
46:16He looked off in a way I'd never seen.
46:19I'm sorry.
46:21That you had to go through this.
46:23No.
46:25You're my hero.
46:33Marry me.
46:38Yes.
46:40The ring went on.
46:42He stood up.
46:44Pulled me into him.
46:45This was it.
46:46The whole storm.
46:48Done.
46:49We made it.
46:50To each other.
46:54Look out.
46:54I'll tell you all.
46:54Bye-bye.
46:55Bye-bye.
46:55Bye.
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