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New Hot🔥❤️My Mafia Husband Begged Me Back
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00:00The day my daughter died, my husband was standing right there.
00:03The railing gave way.
00:05Kelly and Madeline slipped at the same time.
00:06He grabbed Madeline, without hesitation, and Kelly fell.
00:10She fell right in front of us.
00:12After that, his family blamed me for her death.
00:15His mother held me over a ventilation shaft, and pushed me to the edge again and again,
00:19just to make me feel what Kelly felt in her last seconds.
00:23That was the day I learned I never mattered.
00:25Not to him, not to his family, and my husband.
00:28His response was to offer me 30% of his company shares.
00:31If I took the blame, those were the last honest words I ever said to him.
00:36Because after that, I divorced him, uploaded the recording that proved everything to the dark web,
00:41and boarded a helicopter out of his world forever.
00:44Finally, I took the blame.
00:51After my daughter Kelly died, I erased every habit my arms dealer husband had ever disliked.
00:59I stopped asking where he went.
01:01I slept just fine when he didn't come home.
01:05Even after I was injured in an explosion, the medic told me to notify my family.
01:10I just replied calmly.
01:11I don't have any.
01:12A nurse recognized me.
01:15Mrs. Curran, right?
01:18Mr. Curran is right next door.
01:20Should I inform him?
01:22I shook my head.
01:23That won't be necessary.
01:2630 minutes later, Everett showed up anyway.
01:29His sharp eyes carried their usual oppressive intensity.
01:32Why didn't you tell me you were injured?
01:34I lowered my gaze.
01:36Just shrapnel scratches.
01:38Nothing serious.
01:40My indifference irritated him.
01:42He was about to speak, when the guard's voices drifted in from outside.
01:47Mr. Curran really cares about Mrs. Finley.
01:50She only twisted her ankle, and he called in a helicopter and carried her on and off himself.
01:56He wouldn't even let her feet touch the ground.
01:59Everett panicked.
01:59He glanced at me, waiting for me to make a scene like I used to, but I didn't even blink.
02:06I simply leaned back against the pillow and closed my eyes.
02:13The air around Everett grew heavy.
02:16Don't listen to them.
02:19Madeline is a specialist in the company.
02:22If she's hurt, it affects operations.
02:26I'm just doing it for the greater good.
02:28I nodded without a word.
02:30His temper flared.
02:31You don't believe me?
02:33I do.
02:35You personally trained Madeline to keep personnel, and you're her superior.
02:41It's only natural you look out for her.
02:43My calm response unsettled him, more than anger ever could.
02:47A loud crash echoed from outside.
02:51Madeline staggered into view, and collapsed right in front of my ward.
02:56Everett strode over, and swept her into his arms.
02:58What are you doing here?
03:00Didn't I tell you to stay in bed?
03:04I heard Mrs. Curran got hurt.
03:07I came to check on her.
03:09She shrank into his embrace, as if I were something to fear.
03:13Mrs. Curran, please don't blame me.
03:18I never meant for Kelly to die.
03:21In the past, I would have seized him by the collar.
03:23I would have demanded to know why he was shielding the woman.
03:26Responsible for our daughter's death.
03:29But now, I just stared at the ceiling in silence.
03:35I'm taking Madeline back to her ward.
03:37I'll be right back.
03:39Everett turned and carried her away.
03:41It was midnight.
03:42He still hadn't come back.
03:45Instead, I got a call from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
03:49Mrs. Simpson.
03:50Are you absolutely sure you want to join the Welkin Shield Project?
03:53This is a classified initiative at the highest level.
03:56Once you're in, you'll be stationed at the base for a minimum of 20 years.
04:00Completely cut off from the outside world.
04:01That includes your husband.
04:03Yes.
04:05I'm sure.
04:07The person on the other end hesitated.
04:10If you change your mind, you have three days to withdraw.
04:14After all, you used to care so much about Mr. Current.
04:18I won't regret it.
04:21Because I don't love him anymore.
04:28The next second, the door slammed open.
04:31Everett stood there.
04:32His gaze icy.
04:36You don't love me anymore?
04:38I dare you to say that again, Alicia!
04:43I quietly ended the call and closed my eyes, fending sleep.
04:47Everett approached, his presence cold and commanding.
04:50But he paused when he saw my tightly shut eyes.
04:53He thought I'd been talking in my sleep.
04:55His frown eased slightly.
04:57Yet somehow that only fueled his anger further.
05:02He couldn't stand the thought of me leaving him, even in dreams.
05:05He grabbed my wrist and and shook me awake.
05:10Allie, did you have a nightmare?
05:12I lowered my eyes.
05:13I dreamed about Kelly.
05:18The word struck him like a blade.
05:20He pulled me into his arms.
05:23Allie will have more children.
05:26Lots of them.
05:29I said nothing.
05:31My heart was damaged beyond on repair.
05:34And even my tears had long since run dry.
05:42Kelly was gone.
05:43Did he really believe another child could erase that?
05:49Everett, it's the middle of the night.
05:51Why are you here?
05:52He looked caught off guard.
05:55Allie, Maddie's stomach is bothering her.
05:57She's craving that soup you make.
06:02My body went ice cold.
06:07I'd just survived an explosion.
06:09Shrapnel was still embedded in my body.
06:11And here was at Everett,
06:13waking me in the dead of night to make soup for Madeline.
06:15Give me a pen and paper.
06:17I'll write down the recipe.
06:18Everett signaled one of his men to bring them.
06:24As I handed him the paper,
06:25his fingertips trembled.
06:29Recognition dawned on him.
06:33Once, long ago,
06:35he'd asked me for that recipe.
06:37Back then, I'd told him,
06:39I'll give it to you the day we part ways.
06:41As long as we're together,
06:43I'll always make the soup for you myself.
06:46Now I'd handed it over without a second thought.
06:48Mr. Curran,
06:50Ms. Finley is in considerable pain.
06:51She's been asking for you.
06:52He frowned and strode out without a backward glance.
06:55I was accustomed to this by now.
06:57I closed my eyes and tried to rest.
07:01But I barely drifted off
07:03when a brutal force pulled me up.
07:05Alicia,
07:06Maddie coughed up blood after drinking that soup.
07:08Why?
07:10This grip on my chin was punishing.
07:14What did you put in that recipe you gave me?
07:18I glanced at him flat.
07:22You think it's off?
07:23Let the medics check it!
07:27Allie, if you're upset, just say so.
07:30Don't shut me out like this.
07:32I'm your husband, not your enemy.
07:33I closed my eyes.
07:35I have nothing more to say to you.
07:37For a moment,
07:38he thought he'd stopped breathing.
07:40What is that supposed to mean?
07:41I fell silent,
07:42as if he weren't even standing there.
07:44Outside,
07:45his subordinate's voice filtered through.
07:47Mr. Corrin,
07:48Mrs. Finley's stomach has been humped.
07:49She's out of danger,
07:50but she's terrified.
07:51She keeps calling for you.
07:52I see.
07:53He turned back
07:53to give me one deep look.
07:55Get some rest, Allie.
07:57I'll drive you back tomorrow.
07:58That night stretched on
07:59like an endless windchip.
08:01Allie, my daughter,
08:02who'd grown inside me for ten months,
08:04would be reduced to ashes tomorrow.
08:07Sealed in a cold earth
08:09and lay to rest in dark earth.
08:11The next day,
08:12Everett drove me to the company town.
08:14Hidden deep in the mountains,
08:16leaning on my crutch,
08:17I made my way into the funeral home,
08:19desperate,
08:20for one last glimpse of my little girl.
08:22But the instant I crossed the threshold,
08:24Beverly Curran lunged at me
08:25like a woman possessed.
08:26You vile bitch!
08:28You actually have the nerve to come back?!
08:33Beverly slapped me twice,
08:35across the face.
08:36Kelly died because of you!
08:38You knew she was afraid of heights.
08:40Why did you take her to that observation deck?
08:43You wanted her to die.
08:45I went cold.
08:46All over.
08:48Madeline was the one
08:49who took Kelly to the observation deck.
08:51Why was Beverly saying it was me?
08:53I turned to look at Everett.
08:55He looked away.
08:56The other curranced the floor,
08:57joining them already
08:58as they struck me in the cold.
09:00Beat her! Kill her!
09:01She murdered her own daughter!
09:03You don't deserve to see Kelly one last time!
09:07The stoop's batons rained down on me,
09:09without mercy.
09:10Someone threw a rock
09:11that split my forehead open.
09:12My crutch was wrapped
09:14and used as a weapon against me.
09:15I collapsed to the floor,
09:17blood and dust smearing across my face.
09:21Enough!
09:22After what felt like an eternity,
09:24Everett pushed through
09:25and shielded me with his body.
09:29Kelly's death was an accident.
09:31Allie isn't to blame.
09:32Anyone who touches her again
09:34will be dealt with
09:34according to family rules.
09:39His razor-sharp gaze swept the room
09:41until the crowd slowly dispersed.
09:43Only then did his expression soften.
09:49He lifted me into his arms
09:51and carried me back to our bedroom.
09:53He retrieved the first aid kit
09:54to tend to my wounds,
09:55but my eyes remained utterly cold.
09:58Everett,
09:59Madeline took Kelly
10:00to that observation deck.
10:02So why did Beverly say it was me?
10:04His hand holding the gauze paused.
10:06Allie, Maddie is the weapons expert
10:08the family invested in.
10:09Her identity
10:10is sensitive.
10:12If anyone finds out
10:13she was indirectly responsible
10:14for Kelly's death,
10:16she won't have a place here anymore.
10:18You're different.
10:20You're my wife,
10:21under my protection.
10:24Take the blame for her this once,
10:26okay?
10:27I'll transfer 30%
10:28of Curry Defense Industries
10:30shares to you as compensation.
10:32He watched me with barely
10:32concealed unneeds.
10:33He thought I'd break down
10:35crying or lash out,
10:36but my expression
10:37stayed so calm.
10:37It sent panic
10:38seeping into his chest.
10:40I merely glanced at him flatly.
10:41Whatever, I don't care.
10:45He should have felt relieved.
10:47Instead,
10:48something in his chest
10:49tightened painfully.
10:52Allie, don't overthink it.
10:54Maddie is talented
10:55and that's why
10:56I look out for her.
10:57That's all it is.
10:58I understand.
10:59I lowered my head.
11:01You don't need to explain.
11:03Only someone still in deep love
11:05needed explanations.
11:07I didn't love him anymore,
11:08so none of his words
11:09meant anything to me.
11:11Utterly irritated,
11:13Everett was about
11:13to say something.
11:15But before he could,
11:16a guard burst in.
11:18Bad news,
11:19Mr. Curran.
11:20Mrs. Finley went to pay her
11:22respects and ran into
11:23Miss Curran.
11:24They're fighting.
11:25Diane Curran was
11:26the family's true-blooded heir.
11:28Everett's expression
11:29changed drastically.
11:30Allie, bandage yourself.
11:32I have to handle this.
11:33He strode out hastily.
11:35The moment he left,
11:37Beverly barged in
11:38with several of her
11:38trusted people.
11:40Alicia,
11:42no one's here
11:43to protect you now.
11:44Her gaze was pure malice.
11:46Kelly's dead
11:49because of you.
11:51I'm going to make sure
11:52you understand
11:53what it feels like
11:54to fall.
11:56She signaled her men
11:58to drag me
11:59to an abandoned
11:59ventilation shaft.
12:01Deep,
12:02dark,
12:02with cold wind
12:04howling up
12:04from the bottom.
12:05Kelly fell from
12:06that observation top
12:0730 stories high.
12:10Do you have any idea
12:12how terrifying
12:13that fall was?
12:15Beverly grabbed my hair
12:16and forced my upper body
12:18over the shaft's edge.
12:20You were right there.
12:22Why didn't you catch her?
12:25Dizziness overwhelmed me.
12:27The darkness below
12:27gaped like a monster's mouth.
12:30Beverly pushed me
12:31to the edge
12:31time and again,
12:33yanking me back
12:33only at the last second.
12:35Breathe!
12:36You know how to breathe,
12:37don't you?
12:38When Kelly fell,
12:40she didn't even
12:41have time to cry!
12:42After several rounds
12:44of this torture,
12:44a sharp pain
12:46tore through my chest.
12:47A metallic taste
12:48flooded my mouth.
12:49Blood trickled
12:50from the corner
12:51of my lips.
12:52Her internal organs
12:53might be damaged.
12:55If this keeps up,
12:56she could die.
12:58Only then,
12:58did Beverly let go?
13:00I slumped to the ground,
13:01my consciousness fading.
13:03When I woke,
13:05I was in the ward.
13:07Everett sat by the bed.
13:08You're awake, Ellie.
13:10He held my hand,
13:11his eyes bloodshot.
13:13I'm sorry I didn't
13:14protect you well enough.
13:16Don't worry,
13:17I've dealt with
13:18everyone who hurt you.
13:19I warned Mom, too.
13:21She won't lay a finger
13:22on you again.
13:22A deep chill
13:23ran through me.
13:24I'd nearly died,
13:25and all he did
13:27was warn her.
13:28He still hadn't
13:29told her the truth.
13:30He never failed
13:31to disappoint me.
13:32Okay.
13:33I closed my eyes,
13:34unwilling to say
13:36another word.
13:37Allie,
13:37I know you're
13:38upset about Kelly.
13:39I promise
13:40I'll make it up to you.
13:42We have a long
13:43future ahead.
13:47I'll make you
13:47fall for me again.
13:49He stood and left.
13:50The moment
13:50the door closed,
13:52two encrypted messages
13:53arrived on my phone.
13:54The first
13:55was from the courthouse.
13:56Miss Simpson,
13:57your divorce
13:58from Mr. Curran
13:59has been finalized.
14:00The second
14:00was from DARPA.
14:02Miss Simpson,
14:03the Welkin Shield
14:04Project launches
14:05tomorrow.
14:06Your helicopter
14:07is ready.
14:08I stared at the screen
14:10for a long time.
14:11Finally,
14:12I let out
14:13a relieved smile.
14:14At last,
14:15the day had come.
14:16But before I left,
14:17I had one last
14:18thing to do.
14:19I braced myself
14:20on my crutch
14:21and walked
14:22to Madeline's room.
14:23Alicia?
14:25What are you
14:26doing here?
14:27The usual
14:27fragile act
14:28vanished from
14:29her face,
14:29replaced by contempt.
14:31Here to look
14:32for Rhett?
14:33How pathetic.
14:34Look at how
14:35badly you're hurt
14:36and he hasn't
14:37spared you
14:38a second glance.
14:39But me?
14:40I twisted my ankle
14:42and he stayed
14:43by my side
14:44around the clock.
14:45I felt nothing.
14:46These petty games
14:47over attention
14:47no longer concerned me.
14:49I asked only
14:50one question.
14:51Madeline?
14:52That day
14:53on the observation deck?
14:55Did Kelly
14:56fall on her own
14:57or did you
14:58push her?
14:59Madeline's face
14:59split into a
15:00wild grin.
15:01Alicia,
15:02you know what?
15:02Rhett was there
15:03that day too.
15:05The railing gave way.
15:06Kelly and I
15:07slipped at the same time.
15:08Rhett grabbed me
15:09without hesitation
15:10and Kelly fell.
15:12She fell right
15:13in front of us.
15:14Everett had been there
15:15the day Kelly died.
15:16He chose to save
15:17Madeline.
15:18He let her daughter
15:19fall.
15:21You want to know
15:22the funniest part?
15:24Rhett knows
15:25I'm trained in climbing.
15:26He knows my balance
15:27is perfect
15:29but his first instinct
15:30was still
15:31to save me.
15:33Tears blurred
15:34my vision.
15:35I swore
15:36this would be
15:36the last time
15:37I ever cried
15:39for Everett.
15:40I wiped my eyes
15:41picked up my crutch
15:42and walked out.
15:44I moved slowly
15:45but I never
15:46looked back.
15:47Everett
15:48we no longer
15:49have a future.
15:52From now on
15:52we won't see
15:53each other again.
15:54Not in this life
15:55not in the next.
15:57I took a vehicle
15:57to the courthouse
15:58and picked up
15:59my divorce decree.
16:00Before getting
16:01on the helicopter
16:02I uploaded
16:03the complete recording
16:04of my conversation
16:05with Madeline
16:05to the dark web.
16:07Kelly's death
16:08was an accident?
16:09The law
16:10couldn't touch them?
16:11Then let the truth
16:12burn in the shadows.
16:14That was the last thing
16:15I did for my daughter.
16:16I threw away my phone.
16:18The helicopter
16:18lifted me
16:19into the clouds.
16:20Finally
16:21I was free.
16:24The helicopter
16:25punched through
16:25layers of clouds.
16:27Below me
16:27the company town
16:28shrunk rapidly
16:29until it disappeared
16:30behind rolling
16:31mountain regions.
16:32I leaned against
16:33the cabin wall
16:33as the sky out
16:34slowly brightened.
16:47My heart
16:47no longer
16:48beat for Everett.
16:50By the time
16:51we landed
16:51at the Northwest Air Base
16:52dusk had settled
16:53over the desert.
16:55The base
16:55sat like a steel
16:56fortress
16:57embedded in the earth.
17:01Welcome
17:02at Mrs. Simpson.
17:10I'm Vernon Lynch
17:11base commander.
17:13As of today
17:14you're the lead
17:15systems engineer
17:16for the Weldon
17:16shield project.
17:18this will be
17:18your home
17:19for the next
17:1920 years
17:21or longer.
17:22Home?
17:26The place
17:27I'd once
17:27called home
17:28had long
17:29become a hell
17:30that consumed me.
17:32Uh
17:33thank you
17:34commander lynch.
17:36My voice
17:36was calm
17:37as I accepted
17:38the non-disclosure
17:38agreement
17:39and ID badge
17:40here.
17:42I wasn't
17:43Mrs. Scurran.
17:47I was
17:48Mrs. Simpson.
17:50That realization
17:51brought me
17:52an almost
17:52cruel sense
17:53of relief.
17:55The days
17:57blurred
17:57into a rhythm
17:58of intense
17:58work
17:59and isolation.
18:03No internet.
18:05No personal
18:06communication.
18:07Only encrypted
18:08internal lines
18:09and mountains
18:10of blueprints
18:10and data.
18:12I poured
18:13everything
18:13into
18:13Welton
18:14shield.
18:15Each problem
18:16I solved
18:16felt like
18:17stripping away
18:18another layer
18:18of who I
18:19used to be.
18:20Occasionally
18:21in the dead
18:22of night
18:22Kelly's face
18:23would flash
18:24through my
18:24mind.
18:27The dimples
18:28when she
18:29smiled.
18:31The soft
18:32way she
18:32called for me
18:33when she
18:33threw herself
18:34into my
18:34arms.
18:35My heart
18:36would seize
18:37suffocating
18:38me with
18:38pain.
18:41But I'd
18:41force myself
18:42back to
18:43the flickering
18:44screen.
18:47Work was
18:48the best
18:48sedative.
18:50My deputy
18:51at Damon
18:52Jenkins
18:52seemed to
18:52sense something
18:53my silences
18:54but he never
18:55pried.
18:57He just
18:58pushed warm
18:58energy drinks
18:59my way after
19:00I'd worked
19:00ten hours
19:01straight.
19:02One night
19:03I stood
19:03alone in the
19:04corridor
19:04staring at
19:05the stars
19:05through the
19:06reinforced
19:06glass.
19:07Damon
19:08appeared
19:08beside me.
19:12He held
19:13out a
19:13cup of
19:14hot coffee
19:14without a
19:15word.
19:16Then he
19:17walked away.
19:20I wrapped
19:21my hands
19:21around the
19:22warmth and
19:22for a moment
19:23the night
19:23didn't feel
19:24quite so
19:24endless.
19:25Three years
19:26slipped by
19:26before I
19:27realized it.
19:29Welgel Shield's
19:30phase one
19:31test platform
19:31was about to
19:32undergo its
19:33inaugural orbital
19:33deployant.
19:34It was the
19:35project's most
19:36critical and
19:37dangerous stage
19:38yet.
19:39The entire
19:39base hummed
19:40with high
19:41pressure mixed
19:41with barely
19:42constrained thrill.
19:45Sometime
19:45during my
19:46eighth month
19:46Vernon called
19:47me into his
19:47office.
19:50He handed
19:51me a classified
19:52briefing document
19:53his expression
19:53grave.
19:55Something's
19:56happened to
19:56current defense
19:57industries.
19:58I scanned
19:59the contents.
20:00An anonymous
20:01source had
20:02leaked their
20:02covert overseas
20:04trading channels.
20:06exposing a
20:06web of
20:07black market
20:07weapons
20:08deals.
20:09The information
20:10had been
20:11released in
20:11carefully timed
20:12batches to
20:13international
20:13regulators.
20:15Each leak
20:16landed like a
20:17precision strike.
20:20Curry defense
20:21industries had
20:22once seemed like
20:23an unsinkable
20:24juggernaut.
20:27Now it was
20:28sinking at
20:29astonishing speed.
20:30very professional
20:32work.
20:33Pinpoint
20:34intel.
20:38Feels like
20:39someone on
20:39the inside.
20:41Vernon's gaze
20:42carried both
20:43scrutiny and a
20:44hint of probing.
20:48I set the
20:49briefing down.
20:50My face
20:51revealing nothing.
20:52Commander
20:52Lynch, right
20:53now all I care
20:54about is whether
20:54we can push
20:55Weldok
20:55Shield's
20:55efficiency by
20:563%.
20:58Current defense
20:59industry's
21:00situation is
21:00none of my
21:01concern.
21:06I see.
21:07Get back
21:08to work.
21:13In the dead
21:13of night when
21:14I faced the
21:14stars alone,
21:15I'd think about
21:16the recording I'd
21:17uploaded before I
21:17left.
21:18That was just
21:19the spark.
21:22The information
21:23that followed was
21:24more fatal,
21:25more precise.
21:27I'd collected it
21:28during my years
21:29with the
21:29Currenton family.
21:31An Everett
21:32study in
21:32encrypted server
21:33logs beside
21:34weapons designs
21:35he thought I
21:35didn't understand.
21:37But
21:38like a trapped
21:38animal I'd
21:39subconsciously
21:40gathered it
21:40all.
21:41The day I
21:41left, together
21:42with that
21:42recording, I
21:43set it all as
21:44a timed
21:44release gift.
21:46I wondered
21:47if Everett
21:48appreciated my
21:49parting gesture.
21:5272 hours
21:53before launch,
21:54I'd practically
21:55moved into
21:56Mission Control.
21:57The entire
21:58base held
21:58its breath.
22:02During the
22:03final full
22:03system integration
22:04check, an
22:05unexpected alert
22:05flashed across
22:06the main
22:07display.
22:09A minuscule
22:10anomaly in
22:11the orbital
22:11parameters.
22:13Probably
22:14background
22:15radiation
22:15interference
22:16or minor
22:16sensor drift.
22:19I'm not
22:19bashta.
22:20It's within
22:21acceptable
22:22tolerarity.
22:23But Damon
22:24kept comparing
22:25the data,
22:26frowning.
22:27Miss Simpson,
22:28the fluctuation
22:29pattern is
22:30unusual.
22:30I don't think
22:31it's natural
22:31interference.
22:35looks more
22:35like some
22:36kind of
22:36signal
22:36injection.
22:41My heart
22:42tightened.
22:42I immediately
22:43pulled all
22:44relevant logs
22:44and ordered a
22:45full investigation.
22:47Something
22:47wasn't right.
22:52someone had
22:52touched the
22:53system.
22:59A few
22:59hours later,
23:01the investigation
23:01results came
23:02back, sending a
23:03chill straight
23:04through me.
23:04Three days
23:05ago, someone
23:05had used a
23:06brief maintenance
23:06window to
23:07implant balicious
23:07code into
23:08the core
23:08navigation
23:09substabray.
23:10The code
23:11wasn't designed
23:11to cause
23:12immediate
23:12destruction.
23:14It was
23:15programmed to
23:16trigger cumulative
23:17errors under
23:18specific conditions,
23:19eventually causing
23:20the platform to
23:21drift off course
23:22or fail
23:23completely.
23:25Luckily, we'd
23:26caught the
23:27injursion in time
23:28and purged the
23:28code before it
23:33could do any
23:33real damage.
23:34The Weckl
23:35shield project
23:36was classified
23:36at the highest
23:37level.
23:41An external
23:42cyber attack
23:43was practically
23:44impossible.
23:45This had to be
23:46an inside job
23:47or someone with
23:48extremely high
23:49level access.
23:50Security launched
23:51an immediate
23:52investigation.
23:54The trail went
23:55cold when they
23:56traced it to a
23:57young technician
23:58responsible for
23:58a peripheral
23:59data interface.
24:02He'd gone
24:03missing the day
24:04before the
24:04incident.
24:07they found his
24:08abandoned vehicle
24:08out in the
24:09desert.
24:14The car
24:15yielded no
24:15useful leads.
24:17Just a faint,
24:17distinctive scent
24:18that lingered in
24:19the air.
24:20A mixture of
24:21gunpowder and
24:21fur.
24:25my fingernails dug
24:26dug into my
24:27palms as I
24:28recognized it
24:29instantly.
24:30It was Everett's
24:32signature custom
24:32blended cologne.
24:34The scent unique
24:35and long-lasting.
24:37He'd once
24:37mentioned casually
24:38that the scent
24:39helped him
24:40maintain absolute
24:41calm.
24:43was it him?
24:44Had he found
24:45this place?
24:46Or had he
24:47sent one of
24:48his men?
24:50Vernon's face
24:50turned livid.
24:52He immediately
24:53elevated the
24:53base's security
24:54alert level and
24:55reported directly
24:55to higher
24:56command.
24:57The instructions
24:59came back
24:59swiftly.
25:00Proceeding the
25:01launch as
25:01scheduled.
25:02But activate the
25:03highest emergency
25:04protocols.
25:05Launch day
25:06dawned bright and
25:07clear over the
25:08desert.
25:08the massive
25:09launch tower
25:10stood upright
25:11against the
25:11sky.
25:17Inside mission
25:18control.
25:19The atmosphere
25:20was heavy with
25:20tension.
25:22Everyone remained
25:23glued to their
25:23workstations.
25:25Focus absolute.
25:31I sat in the
25:32chief engineer
25:32seat, facing
25:34multiple screens
25:34displaying different
25:35data.
25:36My heartbeat
25:37stayed steady.
25:39Everything else,
25:40the tangled
25:41thoughts, the
25:42painful memories,
25:43even the recent
25:44security breach,
25:46was forcing
25:47push to the
25:48periphery of my
25:49mind.
25:50For now, my
25:52entire world
25:52consisted of
25:53jumping data
25:54points and
25:54flowing curves.
25:56One minute to
25:57launch.
26:00Ten, nine,
26:02eight,
26:04three, two,
26:06one, ignition.
26:11The roar reached
26:12us through the
26:13ground itself.
26:14On the screens,
26:15the rocket lifted
26:16off steadily.
26:20First stage
26:21separation nominee.
26:23Second stage
26:24ignition nominee.
26:26Orbit in search and
26:26phase.
26:27The platform
26:27successfully
26:28entered its
26:29designated orbit.
26:31The solar panels
26:32began to deploy.
26:36Lots of
26:37pressed chips
26:38erupted
26:39throughout
26:39mission control.
26:41We've done it.
26:43I leaned back
26:44in my chair
26:44and let out
26:46a long breath.
26:53Miss Simpson,
26:55we actually
26:56did it.
26:57His eyes
26:57met mine
26:57for a single
26:58right moment
26:59and he
27:00looked away
27:01first.
27:05I accepted
27:06the glass
27:07and nodded
27:08at Damon
27:08but deep
27:09down, I
27:10couldn't shake
27:11the unease
27:12that clung to
27:13me like a
27:13second skin.
27:14The security
27:15breach remained
27:16unsolved.
27:17The celebration
27:18was brief.
27:19I retreated
27:20to my office
27:20and pulled up
27:22every report
27:22related to the
27:23intrusion.
27:25night fell.
27:26The base
27:26settled into
27:27silence.
27:27I rubbed
27:28my throbbing
27:28temples.
27:29Finally ready
27:30to call it
27:30a night.
27:31I powered
27:32down my
27:32main system
27:33and was
27:33about to
27:34stand.
27:34Then the
27:35screen of
27:35my dedicated
27:36terminal,
27:37the one
27:37used for
27:37top,
27:38secret work,
27:39physically
27:39air-gapped
27:40from every
27:40other network,
27:42flickered to
27:42life on its
27:43own.
27:43No login
27:44interface,
27:45no system
27:45prompt.
27:46Against
27:46the black
27:47background,
27:48a single
27:48line of
27:49white text
27:50floated,
27:50like something
27:51risen from
27:51the depths.
27:52Let's talk,
27:53Allie.
27:56My blood
27:57turned to
27:57ice.
28:00The words
28:01lingered for
28:01perhaps five
28:02seconds before
28:03vanishing.
28:05The screen went
28:06back to sleep
28:06mode, as if
28:08nothing had
28:08happened.
28:09But I knew,
28:10with absolute
28:11certainty, that I
28:12hadn't imagined it.
28:14My terminal had the
28:14highest possible
28:15security clearance.
28:17Theoretically,
28:18external intrusion
28:18was impossible,
28:19unless someone on the
28:20inside had cooperated,
28:21or an unknown
28:22vulnerability had
28:23been exploited.
28:24My mind flashed
28:25back, to the
28:26malicious code from
28:27days ago,
28:27Everett.
28:28He'd actually
28:29extended his
28:29reach this far.
28:30Rage ignited
28:31inside me,
28:32burning hot enough
28:33to freeze my
28:33hands.
28:34How dare he
28:35touch Welkin's
28:35shield.
28:36This wasn't just
28:37personal anymore,
28:38it was a direct
28:38threat to national
28:39security.
28:40I hit the
28:40internal emergency
28:41communication button
28:42immediately.
28:44Vernon and the
28:45head of security
28:46arrived within
28:47minutes.
28:49The tech
28:50experts conducted
28:50a thorough
28:51sweep of the
28:51terminal.
28:55They found an
28:56extremely sophisticated,
28:57deeply hidden
28:58access point.
28:59Its source
29:00untraceable.
29:05Implemented
29:06with a level of
29:06professionalism that
29:08only a handful of
29:09people in the world
29:10could achieve.
29:14Full sweep of
29:15every internal
29:15network and
29:16physical port.
29:17now.
29:20Vernon's
29:21expression was
29:22darker than I'd
29:23ever seen it.
29:24Mrs. Simpson,
29:25it's clear you're
29:25the target.
29:27We need to know
29:28what he wants and
29:28how you plan to
29:29handle it.
29:30I sat in silence
29:31for a moment,
29:32thinking Everett
29:34had gone to these
29:34lengths to find
29:36me.
29:37He already knew
29:38about my involvement
29:39in Welkin's
29:39shield.
29:40He might also
29:41have discovered
29:42my role.
29:44In the leaks
29:44against current
29:45defense industries,
29:47what did he want?
29:50Revenge?
29:51Threats?
29:53Or something else
29:54entirely?
29:58I'll talk to him.
29:59My voice was calmer
30:00than I felt.
30:01Completely devoid of
30:02warmth.
30:03Vernon pondered for a
30:04moment.
30:05Then he exchanged a
30:06look with the
30:07security chief
30:08and finally nodded.
30:11Okay.
30:13We'll set it up.
30:15But Miss Simpson,
30:16remember who you are
30:18now.
30:23I met his gaze without
30:24flinching.
30:25I know exactly who I am.
30:27I'm the chief engineer
30:28of Welkin's shield,
30:29the project lead.
30:30That comes before
30:30everything else.
30:31But it has to be in a
30:32completely controlled
30:33environment.
30:34I need an isolated
30:34one-way communication
30:35channel, fully transparent
30:37with no possibility of
30:38traceback or additional
30:39infiltration.
30:40The entire conversation
30:41must be monitored and
30:42recorded.
30:44They arranged the
30:45communication in a
30:47special isolation bay.
30:48The room contained only
30:49the most basic audio
30:50equipment.
30:52All signals were
30:53encrypted and filtered
30:55through multiple
30:55layers.
30:57At the appointed time,
30:59I sat down in the
31:00bay, a microphone in
31:02front of me.
31:03The communication went
31:04through.
31:05No video.
31:06Just the faint static
31:07hum of electrons.
31:12Then that voice reached
31:13me.
31:14Through the speakers.
31:15The voice I thought
31:16I'd long buried in the
31:17past.
31:18It was deep.
31:19Rough around the edges.
31:21Hearing an exhaustion
31:22I couldn't quite place.
31:23And something that
31:24almost sounded like
31:25urgency.
31:27Allie?
31:33That single word
31:34pierced my ears.
31:36I clenched my hands
31:37against my knees.
31:39Fingernails digging
31:39deep into flesh.
31:42Using the pain
31:43to anchor myself
31:45in absolute calm.
31:48Mr. Corrin.
31:49My voice came out
31:50steady and flat.
31:52You've illegally
31:52breached a national
31:53level classified
31:54base communication
31:55system.
31:57Do you have any
31:58idea what that
31:59means?
32:00Several seconds
32:01of silence passed.
32:03Then an almost
32:04imperceptible sigh
32:05filtered through.
32:06Yes.
32:07I know exactly
32:08what it means.
32:09But I needed
32:11to see you
32:13or at least
32:14hear you.
32:14For the sake
32:15of those shady
32:16deals you've been
32:16running or to
32:17make things right
32:18for your beloved
32:18Madeline.
32:19I let icy mockery
32:20seep into my tone.
32:23The recording
32:24and those files
32:25did you enjoy them?
32:27Ose.
32:28His voice turned
32:29rough.
32:29Fractured.
32:31I deserved
32:32every bit of that.
32:34But that's not
32:35why I'm reaching
32:36out to you.
32:40Oh?
32:41Then what?
32:42To catch up?
32:47I'm sorry,
32:48Mr. Corrin,
32:48but there's nothing
32:49left between us
32:50to catch up on.
32:52Allie!
32:53His voice rose,
32:55carrying suppressed
32:56agony.
32:57Please don't be
32:58like this.
33:00I know I was
33:01wrong.
33:01I was ridiculously
33:02wrong.
33:04I've spent every
33:05day of the past
33:05three years
33:07repenting.
33:09I cut him off,
33:10the absurdity of it
33:11almost making me laugh.
33:13What good does that do?
33:15Can it bring Kelly
33:16back?
33:17Can it undo the choice
33:18you made that day?
33:19Can it make up for
33:20the fact that Beverly
33:21nearly killed me?
33:22Or whitewash
33:23those shady deals
33:24you built your empire on?
33:25My garage of Keston,
33:27left him trapped
33:28in a long silence.
33:29When he finally
33:30spoke again,
33:30his voice was
33:31utterly wrecked.
33:33What about Kelly?
33:34I got to the bottom
33:35of it.
33:36It was Madeline.
33:37She loosened the screws
33:38on that old railing.
33:40Back then,
33:41I thought it was
33:41just an accident.
33:42I was afraid that
33:43if my family found
33:44out it was her,
33:45they'd deal with her
33:45so I...
33:47So you made me
33:48the scapegoat?
33:50You let your mother
33:51and your entire family
33:52torture me like I was
33:53the one who killed
33:54my own daughter?
33:56My voice trembled
33:57uncontrollably.
33:58Not from sorrow,
34:00but from pure fury.
34:05Everett,
34:05your devotion to talent,
34:06your protective instincts,
34:07how impressive.
34:08I should probably
34:09applaud you.
34:11Do you have any idea
34:12what Beverly did that day?
34:13She nearly threw me
34:15down that ventilation shaft.
34:16She said she'd make sure
34:17I experienced exactly
34:18how desperate Kelly
34:19must have felt.
34:20I didn't know
34:20she'd go that far.
34:21I warned her!
34:23His words came out
34:23rushed, desperate.
34:25Allie, I'm sorry.
34:26I'm so sorry.
34:29I'll make it up to you
34:30with everything I have.
34:31I'll give up
34:32current defense industries.
34:33I'll do anything!
34:34Save it!
34:35I cut him off sharply.
34:37All the emotions
34:37I'd suppressed
34:38surged up,
34:39cracking through
34:40my carefully
34:40constructed calm.
34:41Everett,
34:42nothing you do
34:42means anything
34:43to me anymore.
34:45Not your compensation,
34:46not Curry defense industries,
34:47not a single thing
34:48you have to offer.
34:51From the moment you chose
34:53to save Madeline
34:54and let Kelly fall,
34:55the only thing
34:56left between us
34:57was hatred.
35:02Listen to me carefully.
35:04Hatred.
35:05Tears welled up
35:05uncontrollably,
35:06but I wiped them away
35:07instantly,
35:08my voice turning
35:09even colder,
35:10harder.
35:10You risked everything
35:12to contact me today.
35:14If this is what
35:15you wanted to hear,
35:16congratulations,
35:17you've heard it.
35:19If you had some
35:20other agenda,
35:21take my advice.
35:23Stop while you still can.
35:26Weldl Shield
35:26is not something
35:27you can touch.
35:29Those little games
35:30you've been playing,
35:32they've already caught
35:33the attention of people
35:34far above my pay grade.
35:36Keep going,
35:37and business sanctions
35:38will be the least
35:39of your worries.
35:41I drew a deep breath,
35:42using the last ounce
35:43of my strength
35:43to form each word.
35:46Everett,
35:46you and I
35:47were finished
35:47a long time ago.
35:50We were done
35:51the moment
35:51I left that company town
35:52and uploaded
35:53that recording.
35:56No,
35:57that's not right.
36:04We were done
36:05even before that.
36:07We were done
36:08for good
36:09the moment Kelly died,
36:10the moment you chose
36:11to protect her killer.
36:14Don't come looking
36:15for me again.
36:19Don't ever show up
36:20in my world again.
36:22If you have even
36:23the slightest trace
36:24of conscience left,
36:25stay away from me
36:26and my project.
36:27Otherwise,
36:28I won't hesitate
36:30to put you exactly
36:31where you belong.
36:34I cut the connection
36:35without waiting
36:36for his response.
36:38My finger trembled
36:39slightly as I pressed
36:40the disconnect button.
36:44The isolation bay door
36:46opened.
36:48Vernon and the security
36:49chief stepped in,
36:51their expressions
36:51complicated.
36:52They clearly heard
36:53everything.
37:01Vernon hesitated.
37:06I looked up.
37:11the tears on my face
37:12had already dried,
37:14leaving only exhaustion
37:15and absolute calm
37:17in their wake.
37:19Commander Lynch,
37:20I'll submit a detailed report
37:22on this incident.
37:23I recommend
37:24we report this immediately
37:25and conduct
37:26a full assessment
37:27of the base's security system.
37:30You!
37:31The security chief
37:33looked at me.
37:34Are you alright?
37:34I'm fine.
37:38The orbital calibration
37:39data for Welkin's shield
37:41still needs review.
37:42I'm heading back
37:43to mission control.
37:46I turned and walked out,
37:47my foot stemped steady.
37:49Not a tremor.
37:50Only I knew
37:51that somewhere deep inside,
37:52in that corner of my heart
37:53where I'd stored
37:53the last fragile fragments
37:54of my past,
37:55something had finally died.
37:58Along with that conversation.
37:59After that exchange,
38:01the base entered
38:02an unprecedented state
38:03of heightened alert.
38:05Security systems
38:06underwent complete upgrades.
38:08Everett hadn't tried
38:09anything else.
38:10No further communication attempts.
38:12No new signs
38:13of malicious activity.
38:15It almost felt
38:16as if my resolute declaration
38:18had actually worked.
38:19But no one dared relax.
38:21The collapse
38:22of current defense industries
38:23accelerated faster
38:25than anyone predicted.
38:26The once mighty empire
38:28had crumbled to fragments.
38:29I threw myself
38:30back into Wellcom Shield.
38:32Work became the sole purpose
38:33of my existence.
38:34The most solid barrier
38:35I could build
38:36between myself
38:37and the past.
38:40Damon grew quieter
38:42and also more devoted
38:44to the work
38:45in those days.
38:46He was no longer
38:47just my deputy.
38:49He developed into someone
38:51with remarkable talent.
38:52We developed a shorthand
38:54that didn't require words.
38:56Sometimes a single glance
38:58was enough to communicate
38:59exactly what needed
39:00to be done.
39:03Still, I kept my distance.
39:05The emotional wounds
39:06of the past
39:07still haunted me.
39:15Any intimacy
39:16beyond professional collaboration
39:17made me instinctively
39:18pull back
39:19until the night
39:20the storm came.
39:33A rare, violent tempest
39:35swept across the desert.
39:38Damon and I worked late
39:40into the night
39:40in the lab
39:41trying to dedock
39:42a critical energy relay algorithm.
39:45Lightning tore through the sky
39:46as thunder crashed and rolled.
39:48Wind howled
39:49as it hurled sand
39:50and gravel
39:51against the reinforced glass.
40:03Suddenly,
40:04the emergency lights
40:05kicked on.
40:05Backup power
40:06kicked in immediately.
40:10But some non-essential systems
40:11were still affected,
40:13including the lab's door locks.
40:20We were trapped inside.
40:24A voice crackled
40:26through the communicator
40:27from the duty room.
40:42Lightning had struck
40:43the external power lines.
40:52Repairs would take time.
40:54We had to wait
40:56where we were.
41:01The lab existed now
41:03in near-ness,
41:04illuminated by darkness,
41:06illuminated only
41:08by the emergency light's
41:09dim glow
41:09and the occasional
41:11flash of lightning.
41:13Damon and I sat side by side
41:14on the edge of a lab table.
41:16For a long moment,
41:17neither of us spoke.
41:21Mrs. Simpson.
41:22His voice emerged softly,
41:24almost swallowed
41:25by the dim space
41:26in the thunder.
41:27Have you ever thought about
41:28what you'll do after
41:29Well and Shield
41:30is completely finished?
41:33The question caught me off guard.
41:35No.
41:36I admitted honestly.
41:38Doing my job well right now,
41:39that's enough for me.
41:41Fell silent for a moment,
41:43then turned to look at me.
41:51Sometimes I think maybe when this is all over,
41:56I'll go see the ocean.
42:00The real one.
42:04I want to know what it feels like
42:07to be surrounded by seawater.
42:13Is it really true what they say?
42:15That it can wash away your troubles?
42:25It will.
42:27I said only take Everett.
42:29You should go.
42:31After the project succeeds.
42:34Will you come with me?
42:36His question came suddenly.
42:38His tone careful.
42:39I froze.
42:41Unsure how to answer.
42:42A brilliant flash of lightning
42:44illuminated the entire lab.
42:47In that stark, momentary light,
42:49I saw it clearly.
42:51The affection and anticipation
42:53in his eyes.
42:54There for me to read
42:55before he could conceal it.
43:00I stood abruptly
43:01and walked to the large observation window.
43:04In the distance,
43:06pale streaks of dawn
43:07pushing through the dark-nid darkness
43:09that had held us all night.
43:11I gazed eastward
43:12as the sky brightened.
43:13Darkness would soon be gone.
43:16Above me,
43:17the stars and the sky,
43:19the ones I had sworn to guard,
43:22were embracing a new dawn.
43:24I didn't turn around,
43:25but my fingers,
43:27which had been clenched tight
43:28at my sides,
43:30slowly uncurled.
43:36And just barely,
43:38they brushed against the hand
43:39Damon had rested
43:40on the windowsill beside me.
43:42I wasn't ready.
43:45But for the first time
43:47in three years,
43:53I thought maybe
43:55someday
43:56I could be
43:58day so
43:58be даже, I thought
43:59be more. With you.
44:01I thought
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