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