- 15 minutes ago
The Last Gift
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:07the wolf spirit within me was slowly dying that beautiful white wolf was my soul gentle noble
00:15with pho as pure as moonlight but now she curled deep in my consciousness every breath agony her
00:23faint breath heavy with despair i was slowly dying from silverstone wolf's bane and there
00:28was only one cure the miracle elixir but my mate leo ashford bought it and gave it to my adoptive
00:35sister jane smith he did it because he thought i was faking my illness i gave up on the treatment
00:44and swallowed a potent painkiller instead it would kill me in three days by shutting down my organ
00:50in those three days i gave up everything i handed over the firm manufacturing business i built from
00:55the ground up to jane and my parents praised me for caring about my sister i offered to sever our
01:01mate bond and leo praised me for finally being sensible when i told my son he could call jane
01:06mommy he happily said that his new mommy was the best
01:14i transferred all my savings to jane and no one seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary
01:20they were just pleased with my better behavior wyola is finally not so bad i wondered would they regret it
01:27after i was gone
01:35the doctor looked at me with pity as i swallowed a heavy dose of painkillers three days left to live
01:41that was what they had told me i took the elevator up to the vip floor my dad charlie smith
01:49was slicing
01:50fruit for jane meanwhile my mom wendy carter was curled up beside her watching a movie the moment i
01:56opened the door the happy chatter stopped didn't you say you were on your deathbed this morning
02:00what now no one believed your lie so you came whited to pick on jane again viola from this moment
02:05on
02:06your father and i aren't leaving jane's side you won't get another chance to hurt her mom said
02:10coldly stepping in front of the bed to block me we're the smith family nobles of moonfall pack we
02:18have standards and we're respected but you you've always been hot tempered and jealous you even faked
02:24being sick just to steal the miracle elixir meant for jane dad stood beside mom just as defensive
02:30like a hen guarding their chick and behind them jane peeked out and stuck her tongue out at me
02:37that smile smug contemptuous provocative i had seen it too many times every time i tried to expose her
02:48true colors
02:52she would wear that same smirk because she knew no one would ever believe me
02:58you're serious is this some kind of trick i smiled bitterly i had heard this before
03:06every time i would shout back i would tell them i never touched jane and try to prove how fake
03:13she
03:13really was but all i got in return was my parents distrust and disgust more distance less love and now
03:23i was dying there was no point in explaining anything anymore
03:32anyway it's good that you're here saves me the trouble of calling you i have something to say
03:37dad said with a cold expression i actually something to say too i said trying to keep my tone light
03:43jane's always wanted my fur business right well i've been thinking since we're family i'll give it to
03:50her the cold expression on my parents faces cracked momentarily they exchanged glances then looked at me
03:57you're serious is this some kind of trick are you asking for something in return
04:12they couldn't believe it their first reaction was to think i was playing a trick on them
04:18and i couldn't blame them jane had been eyeing the fur company i had built from scratch for years
04:24my parents had tried everything to convince me to hand it over every talk ended in a fight
04:30and every fight chipped away at whatever family love we had left but now but what about now how pathetic
04:38since that's what you want i'll give you exactly that i'll make sure you finally see her true colors
04:45you should have done this a long time ago and now i'm ready to
04:49dad said softly his voice relaxed and his eyes finally looked kind mom stepped forward and gently
04:56held my hand you've grown up you're finally acting sensible she smiled warmly i know you created the
05:03company but jane's been top of her class in finance and business at university if anyone can take your
05:08company and turn it into the top fur brand in the country it's her i nodded quietly and handed the
05:14sign to transfer papers to jane my fingers brushed against hers for just a moment her skin was warm
05:21so full of life unlike mine which had already begun to feel cold she took the papers from me with
05:28both
05:28hands pretending to be hesitant are you sure viola i don't want you to feel forced but her fingers
05:36had already closed around the documents tight possessive like she was afraid i might snatch them back
05:50i wasn't going to i'm sure i said quietly as i stared at my signature on the bottom of the
05:57paper i caught
05:58sight of jane's expression jane looked surprised at first but when no one else was watching she shot me
06:03a smug victorious smile in this competition for family affection i had lost here drink some water
06:12you must be thirsty mom offered me a glass of water and gently brushed my hair back her smile soft
06:20and
06:21sweet i nearly cried why was it only when i gave something to jane that mom treated me like her
06:28daughter
06:28when i returned home from the hospital my son and mate were having dinner at the table
06:35this cream of mushroom soup is amazing dad mark said with a grin your aunt jane loves it too
06:40we'll bring her some after dinner they were laughing and chatting looking like the perfect little family
06:45i stood in the doorway for a moment longer than i should have watching them memorizing them none of
06:50them had noticed me yet for a brief second i felt like a ghost in my own home but the
06:55second they saw me
06:56walk in everything changed viola why are you home leo ashford sat down his spoon staring at me in
07:08confusion the spread of food on the table seemed to hurt my eyes mark's gaze was distant as if he
07:16were looking at a stranger that was when i realized that leo knew how to cook and he was good
07:21at it too
07:21i never knew that i used to be the one who cooked the one who worked long hours to pay
07:27the bills the
07:28one who held the house together but leo always complained that my cooking was terrible even mark
07:34picked up on it he started acting like i wasn't good enough to be his mother i gave everything to
07:40this family my time my energy my whole life and in the end not one of them respected me back
07:47then
07:47if they gave me the cold shoulder like this i would have snapped i would have shouted why can't i
07:53come
07:53home why do you look at me like i don't belong here but not anymore i didn't answer i just
07:58started
07:59packing my things quietly when i didn't answer leo hesitated for a moment then walked over to me
08:06viola
08:17you agreed to it
08:22viola i wanted to talk to you about something his voice was softer this time almost guilty
08:30your sister just started her treatment and the miracle licks are affecting her emotions
08:34makes her feel down to keep her spirits up and to help with her recovery your parents suggested
08:38that she and i go through the marking ceremony
08:42they hope it'll make her feel better
08:44my heart sank and for a second i thought i had misheard
08:49you agreed to it leo looked uncomfortable at my response
08:56viola jane may not be your real sister but she's been part of this family since your parents adopted her
09:01you want her to get better don't you he paused like he was choosing his words carefully we're
09:06just going through the marking ceremony the witch says it'll help jane recover faster as it'll lift
09:10her mood it won't change anything between us i'm still your mate and mark's bad before i could
09:16respond mark spoke up mommy aunt jane's really upset the doctor said it's bad for her health so
09:22please agree with dad okay i stared at them both one was the man i had loved for years the
09:28other
09:28my son i had given everything to both of them every piece of me as a mate as a mother
09:34i had
09:35sacrificed it all why were they treating me like this why would they betray my love just for jane
09:46i stood there silently for a long time what did it matter now i was dying anyway jane wanted my
09:52things
09:53fine she could have them all i didn't want everything i had anymore i wiped away the tear
10:00that slipped down my cheek then looked up at leo okay fine leo's face lit up with surprise and excitement
10:07he quickly grabbed the papers from the table great this is the mate bond desolation agreement
10:12once you sign we'll formally reject our bond and be done with i felt like my heart was shattering
10:17so he had planned this all along leo really wanted to end things between us didn't he to be with
10:23jane
10:24mommy just sign it mark said handing me the pen i took it and quickly signed the paper once leo
10:30and
10:30i rejected each other the ridiculous conversation ended then i went upstairs to rest dot leo solemnly
10:36promised from behind me viola when jane's fully recovered later on i'll end things with her
10:41believe me my heart will always be yours this is just a formality i pursed my lips in my heart
10:48i
10:48already knew the truth we were over then i heard him sigh and add viola you've become more composed
10:53now not as reckless and unreasonable as before back when we used to argue i wasn't always reether
10:57i owe you an apology least jane to better i'll take care of you i want you upset you they
11:02want
11:02mommy i blame me great for him you've been so easing to jane i'm infallum you their words hit me
11:07like a
11:08wave of cold water their words contained gratitude and care and all of it started only after the bond
11:22was broken how ironic before i had hoped for something maybe even expected it but now as i
11:30headed upstairs i felt nothing but numbness it didn't matter anymore i was dying anyway i tried to
11:37hurry up the stairs but before i could reach the top everything went black i shivered gasping as i
11:43blanked up at the ceiling leo and mark were standing over me their faces tight with frustration they
11:50didn't seem worried just disappointed mommy are you pretending again mark asked his voice flat you've
12:01used this fanning trick so many times can you try something new daddy and i are supposed to deliver
12:05aunt jane her mushroom soup you've wasted our time and now the soup's cold mark was clearly angry leo
12:11looked disappointed and he was holding a glass of ice water in his hand bela stop it even though we've
12:16dissolved our mate bond i still love you don't try to test my feelings for you with tricks like
12:20pretending to faint i slowly came to my senses realizing what had just happened i had passed out
12:27but instead of rushing me to the hospital or getting me medical help they had drawn a glass of ice
12:33water in my face to wake me up it was laughable they will know i was really dying rather than
12:39pretending if they had just unblocked their link to me no one cared enough to check mommy you look fine
12:45you're all rosy and healthy you don't look sick at all next time try a new trick if you're going
12:50to
12:51pretend mark's words cut through me like a knife i forced myself to stand up
13:05the doctor's potent painkiller was working making me look healthier than i was but i knew deep down
13:13my body was already fading i'm not pretending i might have skipped a meal that's all if you want
13:21the transagreant still needs a few signatures leo clearly wanted to say more but when he saw me
13:27pick up the agreement he simply nodded and followed me to the hospital so he already knew about the
13:33agreement viola you're here when we arrived at the hospital room jane was watching a movie her
13:40complexion undeniably worse than mine if anything she looked like the one who was seriously ill despite
13:47her warm greeting the challenge in her eyes that unmissable arrogance caught sharper than any blade
13:54viola thanks for handing the company over to me don't worry i'll make it even more successful
14:00with jane managing the company you won't have to work so hard you'll still get your share of profits
14:05and it'll be so much easier for you mom added grabbing my hand with a smile i forced a smile
14:12back
14:12yeah i agree that's why i'm gonna hand over all my assets to jane to manage that way i can
14:19relax
14:20everyone froze shocked they knew just how much that was worth
14:36vila are you serious even the trust fund in the bank leo's voice was a mix of shock and confusion
14:43i was puzzled jane had always wanted everything i had and the whole family was always there to
14:49support her when i refused i was called selfish rude and ungrateful now that i was finally giving
14:55it to her they were acting strange wasn't this what they had been pushing for all along after a long
15:00silence it was dad who finally spoke up viola you've really grown up you're being kind to your
15:05sister looking out for her now should have been like this from the start we're family what's yours is
15:10no need to draw a line so firmly everywhere it's good to see you two getting along your mother and
15:16i are relieved that added with a smile but were they really relieved did they honestly think jane
15:23was capable of managing all that wealth at home she food everyone with her fake kindness
15:29but out in the world no one would buy it i felt a tickle in my nose when i rubbed
15:37it my fingers came
15:38away smeared with blood why the nosebleed
16:01why the nosebleed the humidity in this room is perfectly fine
16:05mom murmured handing me a tissue i wiped the blood away casually then tested the waters
16:15mom dad if i died one day would you be sad there was a pause a heavy silence in the
16:21room
16:21dad looked at me with a serious expression his voice sharp
16:26viola don't play these tricks don't pretend to be sick just to get sympathy
16:32your wolf may not be the strongest but this is just a small problem that can be easily cured don't
16:36try pull stunts like in front home again he sighed rubbing his forehead the room which had been
16:42peaceful just moments ago suddenly felt heavy again with dad's words i smile bitterly what wolf
16:49my wolf had already died while fighting off the silverthorn wolf's bane that toxin laced with silver
16:55had seeped into my bloodstream and eventually corroded my organs and in the end it killed my wolf
17:02dad i know viola lied before acted out and pretended to be sick but that was the old her
17:09i believe she's better now jane said looking at me with a sharp taunting look she sounded like she
17:17was defending me but all i could hear was her reminding everyone of my past mistakes
17:23i think aunt jane needs more love and care
17:29all right just don't mess up again look at you look at you so full of life dad muttered then
17:34turned to jane with undisguised tenderness meanwhile jane's the one who really needs care his voice
17:39dropped heavy with concern this illness her healing factor is almost inexistent now i think aunt jane
17:46needs more love and care mark said leaning over the bed please get better soon aunt jane i felt a
17:51sharp pain in my chest and all the small hope i had left was crushed i wiped away the tears
17:56that
17:56had started to fall then looked at mark and said you said your aunt jane is the best right
18:03do you want her to be your mother i've decided from now on jane will be your mummy
18:10are you happy mark's eyes lit up really really jane can stay with you from now on she can pick
18:17you up
18:17from kindergarten and cook you better meals than i ever could how does that sound aren't you happy
18:23before i could say more mark cracked my hand and kissed the back of it i'm so happy mommy you're
18:30the
18:30best then without a second thought he rushed to jay's bedside and called out mommy the pain in my chest
18:37in a daze i dialed the number
18:48it had been so long since my son had shown me any affection
18:51i couldn't even remember the last time he held my hand
18:55or kissed the back of my hand like that and the price for all of that was letting him call
18:59someone
19:00else mommy my parents and leo watched the scene with smiles on their faces
19:04pleased i pressed my hand to my mouth trying not to cry out loud and quietly stepped out of the
19:11hospital room
19:11i didn't know where to go i had one day left to live i thought about going for a walk
19:16by the beach
19:17but it was so far away and i didn't have the strength was i dying already but it wasn't time
19:23yet
19:24what should i do in a daze i dialed the number i could no longer see clearly before my eyes
19:31only feeling the world spin violently an anxious voice came from the other end of the phone
19:36viola
19:38viola
19:46the next thing i knew i woke up to the sound of a familiar voice
19:50selena hunt my best friend
19:53she had rushed all the way from horizon peck's territory to see me
19:57we met in college
19:59back then
20:00she never liked leo
20:02she always thought
20:03he wasn't good enough for me
20:05and that he didn't deserve my love
20:07we fought about it
20:09back then
20:09and i didn't listen to her
20:11she didn't come to my marking ceremony
20:14i knew i shouldn't have called her
20:16but she was the only one i could trust now
20:19what have you done to yourself
20:21you're almost dead
20:23where is your mate
20:25you always told me how happy your family was
20:28but now look at you
20:29selena cried as she spoke
20:31her voice full of frustration
20:33i had an oxygen mask on my face
20:35and i smiled weakly at her
20:37she was still the same
20:38quick-tempered
20:40loud
20:40and caring
20:41those who didn't know us would think we were arguing
20:44how did you get poisoned by silver-thrown wolf's bank
20:47why didn't you tell me
20:48she cried
20:49tears streaming down her face
20:51i wanted to speak
20:52but my lips wouldn't move
20:54i was at the end
20:55and i couldn't control my body anymore
20:57i motioned for her to look at my bag
21:03she pulled out the contract
21:04and she broke down again after reading it
21:07viola you can't die
21:08i won't allow it
21:09you can't die
21:10she collapsed next to me
21:12sobbing uncontrollably
21:14i glanced at the clock on the wall
21:16only two hours left before i would leave this world
21:24suddenly my phone buzzed
21:26selena picked it up and showed me the screen
21:29viola after all these years of fighting with me
21:32you finally lost
21:33your parents
21:34your mate and your son
21:35they're all mine now
21:36you've finally faced the truth
21:38haven't you
21:38in your parents eyes
21:40you'll never be better than me
21:41selena shouted angrily
21:43i've never seen anyone so shameless
21:46in the past
21:47i would have argued back
21:49but now
21:50i only felt regret
21:52i regretted letting my parents adopt jane
21:54the girl who was abandoned at the orphanage
21:57she was only three back then
21:58other kids would bully her
22:00and she couldn't eat
22:02she had to sit in the corner and go hungry
22:05she was so pitiful
22:06that was why i asked my dad to adopt her
22:10we slept in the same bed
22:13ate together
22:14and went to school together
22:15we were closer than real sisters
22:17she was good at her studies
22:19and everyone loved her
22:22everyone praised her
22:24and i felt proud to have such an outstanding sister
22:28but over time
22:29i started noticing strange things
22:37everything
22:38my friends stopped hanging out with me
22:40and the boys i'd practiced hunting with
22:42no longer wanted to team up
22:44instead
22:44they all started hanging around jane
22:58even my parents started saying
23:00i wasn't as thoughtful as jane
23:02that i wasn't as sensible as she was
23:04they gave jane the master bedroom in the new house
23:06while i was left with a smaller room
23:08but i didn't see anything wrong with it
23:10by the time i realized jane was behind all of it
23:13she had already taken so much from me
23:15my parents love
23:16my master bedroom
23:17even my friends at school
23:19i asked her why she did it
23:21and she said
23:22viola
23:23don't think i'll thank you
23:25just because you asked your dad to adopt me
23:27why do you get to have loving parents
23:29and a grand home
23:30while i'm just some abandoned orphan
23:32i'm going to take from you
23:35everything
23:38you'll lose to me
23:40i'm sure of it
23:53viola don't die
23:54i tried to drive her away
23:57but i overestimated myself
23:59i couldn't make my family see how fake she was
24:11my parents loved her even more
24:13and my son and leo trusted her even more
24:15in the end
24:16i did lose
24:17i lost everything
24:24i could feel my soul slipping away from my body
24:27there were only five minutes left
24:29viola don't die please
24:31look your mom just sent you a message
24:33she must have sensed that you're in danger
24:36selena held up the phone to my face
24:38trying to keep me from giving up
24:40i stared at the message on my phone
24:42viola
24:42after jane is discharged
24:44she'll stay at your place
24:46remember
24:46lily's in the master bedroom
24:48and repaint the walls blue
24:50that's what she likes
24:51she'll be out in two weeks
24:53move all your things to the basement
24:55jane has too much
24:56there won't be space otherwise
24:57selena's hands shook
24:59as she held the phone
25:00she was probably feeling hopeless too
25:02i was so tired
25:04the white wolf hadn't moved for three days
25:07curled up in the corner
25:09its silvery fur fading little by little
25:12as if moonlight were being swallowed by dark clouds
25:15it was waiting for me
25:16waiting to leave together with me
25:18at the last moment my consciousness faded
25:21i saw the white wolf
25:29it slowly rose
25:30using its last shred of strength
25:32lifted its head
25:34and let out a silent howl
25:36toward the sky i could not see
25:37then its body scattered
25:39like crumbled snow
25:41bit by bit
25:42silvery light drifted out from within me
25:45like countless butterflies flying into the void
25:48it was my turn to leave
25:50i closed my eyes
25:51and sank into darkness for the last time
25:54selena held me and cried loudly
25:55but i could no longer comfort her
25:57on april 20th
25:59i closed my eyes for the last time
26:01and slipped away quietly
26:03i was watching tv
26:05when the door to my hospital room opened
26:08why are you here
26:09it was my biological father
26:12jeremy ziegler
26:13i felt both scared and disgusted
26:15when i saw him
26:16he smirked and looked me up and down
26:18what do you think i'm here for
26:20money
26:20i need ten thousand dollars
26:22i'm out of cash
26:24if i hadn't dumped you at the orphanage
26:26how would you have ended up with the smith
26:28i hurled a glass at him with a snarl
26:30no money
26:31then you come crawling to me again
26:32you've got hands and legs
26:33go earn it yourself
26:34what right do you have
26:35you never raised me
26:36he raised an eyebrow
26:37and looked at me with a challenge
26:39if you don't give me the money
26:41i'll tell everyone what you did to viola
26:43if i don't have money
26:45i'll do whatever it takes
26:46i deflated like a punctured balloon
26:49defiance leaking out of me
26:50most secrets couldn't see the light
26:52no matter the cost
27:07i don't care when you get out of the hospital
27:11i bid out through gridded tea
27:13fine
27:14but you'll have to wait until i'm discharged
27:16and take over the company
27:17that's when i'll have money
27:18you've just been poisoned by regular wolf's bone
27:21yet you're acting like you're about to die
27:22your acting skills are impressive
27:24i don't care when you get out of the hospital
27:26you'll give me the money
27:27if you don't
27:29i'll pay your precious parents a visit
27:31or maybe even that new mate of yours
27:33let's see how they look at you
27:35after i'm done telling them everything
27:38jeremy left swaggering with a smug smile
27:43i was so angry
27:45i smashed everything in the room
27:48why
27:49why
27:50why did viola get a happy family
27:52with a mate who loved her
27:54while i was stuck with this irresponsible father
27:57i had worked so hard to get everything viola had
28:01i couldn't let it go now
28:02this card still belongs to miss viola
28:04and it's been frozen
28:07after consuming the miracle elixir
28:09i could feel my wolf's powers getting stronger
28:12i had to hurry and sell all the viola's assets
28:15getting the money in my hands was the safest thing
28:18i had already arranged for someone to fake my identity as a werewolf from another pack
28:22once i had the money i would leave this pack behind
28:25i would go to another pack and start a new life
28:28that sorry excuse of a father and the smith family would never find me
28:33with that thought in mind
28:35i rushed to the bank
28:38sorry is this your card
28:39the bank clerk asked
28:41yes
28:42this card belongs to a person named viola
28:44your id shows that your name is jane
28:46not viola
28:47i froze
28:48what did that mean
28:49we've already signed the property transfer agreement
28:51this card should be in my name now
28:53can you double check
28:53the bank clerk shook his head
28:55i haven't made a mistake
28:57this card still belongs to ms viola
29:00and it's been frozen
29:01i couldn't understand
29:02why was it frozen
29:03viola had transferred everything to me
29:06and the transfer agreement was perfect
29:08why was everything falling apart now
29:10i left the bank
29:12and quickly called my friends
29:13to check the ownership of the fur company
29:15they told me everything still belonged to viola
29:18and it had nothing to do with me
29:20that woman had tricked me
29:26i called her to ask about the company
29:28but she didn't answer
29:29i tried calling viola
29:30but she wouldn't answer
29:31what a witch
29:32what should i do
29:33without the money
29:34jeremy would expose everything i had done
29:37if that happened
29:38it would all be over
29:39i went back to the hospital
29:41and soon my parents and leo arrived
29:43i pretended to ask
29:46mom dad you're here
29:48have you seen viola
29:49i called her to ask about the company
29:51but she didn't answer
29:52dad shook his head
29:53looking upset
29:53that girl
29:54after the company
29:55she still throws tantrums
29:56just wait till i teach her a lesson
29:58doesn't she realize
29:59how much work goes into a transfer
30:01and now she won't even pick up her phone
30:04as dad spoke
30:05he called viola
30:06at first
30:06the call went through
30:08but by the third try
30:09it went straight to voicemail
30:11dad frowned
30:11now she's turned her phone off
30:14pulling a disappearing act huh
30:15she must be throwing a nose
30:16no doubt
30:17what set her off this time
30:18two years of this drama
30:20and she still hasn't outgrown it
30:21mom also snatched up her phone
30:23fingers jabbing at the screen
30:25as she fired off a terse message
30:27viola get back here now
30:37mom also snatched up her phone
30:39fingers jabbing at the screen
30:41as she fired off a terse message
30:43viola get back here now
30:45it was clear to me
30:46that my parents were growing
30:48increasingly frustrated with viola
30:50i was delighted
30:53viola look at you
30:54all i had to do was say a few things
30:57and now your own parents are annoyed with you
30:59even though you tried to hide the company
31:02and the bank assets from me
31:04so what
31:04your parents and mate
31:06don't care about you anymore
31:08as long as i hold their hearts
31:10i'll have endless money
31:12i'll watch as the people you care about
31:15turn their backs on you
31:17but for some reason
31:18i felt like something was off
31:21my parents seemed a little distant
31:23like they didn't care about me
31:25as much as they used to
31:26i had a bad feeling
31:45when i got home from the hospital
31:47i sat down on the couch
31:48and noticed a faint unpleasant smell
31:51the flowers in the vase had wilted
31:53viola why didn't you change the flowers
31:55i called out
31:56however
31:57there was no answer
31:58that was when i realized
31:59she hadn't been home for a few days
32:03i took out my phone again and tried calling
32:05but no one picked up
32:07i mind linked her
32:09but there was no response either
32:16i sighed
32:17we only temporarily severed our mate bond
32:19it wasn't like we were really over
32:21why didn't she actually move out
32:24i left her a message
32:25when are you coming back
32:26the house needs cleaning
32:28but as i sent it
32:29i suddenly realized
32:30that all our past chats
32:32were mostly from her
32:32my replies were short
32:34just one or two words
32:35the more i looked
32:36the worse it felt
32:37a flicker of panic
32:38began to rise in me
32:39i sent another text
32:40viola
32:41come back quickly
32:42there's still so much
32:43waiting for you at home
32:53in the last year or two
32:54i had stopped showing viola
32:56the love i used to
32:57i had even started getting annoyed
32:59at her for talking too much
33:01and turned off the link between us
33:05i remembered when we first started dating
33:07viola was so lively bright and talented
33:13she always ranked near the top
33:15in our werewolf trials
33:16and she was also great with business
33:18and management
33:20she shone in a crowd
33:22but every time we went on a date
33:23we ran into jane
33:26she was quieter
33:27gentler
33:28and more thoughtful
33:30she didn't have the energy
33:31or spark that viola did
33:35jay knew how to keep a conversation going
33:37and always gave compliments
33:39but i didn't like jane that way
33:42still
33:42she was part of the family
33:45so i looked out for her more than i probably should have
33:49on the other hand
33:50viola had always been so quick to lose her temper with me
33:53and so harsh toward jane
33:57this time
33:58i agreed to go ahead with the marking ceremony
34:00to help jane recover faster
34:03as viola's mate
34:04i should help her sister
34:07maybe that hurt viola's feelings
34:09and that was why she wasn't talking to me now
34:14never mind
34:15once this was over
34:17i would apologize and make it up to her properly
34:20i sent a message and waited
34:23still
34:24no reply
34:26well
34:26maybe in a few days
34:28she would calm down
34:29and come back
34:36i lay in bed
34:38but i was somehow unable to sleep
34:42what's wrong
34:43charlie asked
34:45i still can't reach viola
34:47her phone is off
34:48and i'm worried
34:49charlie shook his head
34:53she's probably just mad
34:55she's not answering calls or messages
34:57and i tried to mind link her
34:59but she ignored me
35:01that girl has such a temper
35:03he thought viola was just angry and avoiding us on purpose
35:06but i had a bad feeling
35:08a feeling i couldn't shake
35:09in the past
35:10even if viola was upset
35:12she wouldn't go more than a day without contacting us
35:15she would always call
35:17or respond
35:18even if she had turned off her phone
35:19she would never block the link between us
35:22we were the ones who did
35:23but this time
35:24it felt different
35:25i remembered when viola had left a few days ago
35:27right after she had jane signed the transfer papers
35:30we had all been so elated
35:31until we realized she hadn't just stepped out
35:34she had vanished
35:35it wasn't like her at all
35:36what if something had happened to her
35:38how long has it been since we last saw viola
35:41my hands started to sweat with worry
35:43charlie thought for a moment
35:45four days
35:46my heart sank
35:47and the panic inside me grew stronger
35:51then wait for your sister to come back
35:53she'll help you
35:58the next morning
35:59i went straight to the hospital
36:05jane has viola been here
36:07i asked as soon as i walked into her room
36:09jane looked surprised by my question
36:11like she hadn't expected me to ask about viola right away
36:15no she hasn't been here
36:16what's wrong mom
36:18isn't she just ignoring us because she's mad
36:20jane's answer didn't sit right with me
36:22something felt off
36:23i turned and left
36:24my mind racing
36:25i needed to find viola
36:27mom
36:27i'm taking over the fur company
36:29and there's a big deal coming up
36:31i need a million dollars in working capital
36:33can you
36:37then wait for your sister to come back
36:39she'll help you
36:40i don't understand any of this company business anyway
36:43i didn't care about the company or the business right now
36:46i just needed to know where my daughter was
36:49when i turned to leave and closed the door behind me
36:51i saw jane's face
36:53it was twisted with anger
36:55resentment
36:55and something else
36:56disappointment
36:58but i didn't have the energy to care about her right now
37:00i headed straight to leo's house
37:03mommy you're back
37:05mark cried as he ran over to me
37:07but when he saw it was just me
37:09his face fell
37:17when mark saw it was just me
37:19his face fell
37:21grandma
37:22what are you doing here
37:23is your mommy home
37:26no
37:27she hasn't been home for days
37:28mark slumped onto the couch
37:31looking sad
37:32i wanted mommy's pancakes
37:34she makes them better than aunt jane
37:41just then leo called me
37:45wendy
37:46charlie and i have been looking for viola all day
37:48but we haven't been able to reach her
37:50we suspect something's happened to her
37:53and now
37:54now we're going to the police station to report her missing
37:57could you bring mark and meet us there
37:59i hang up
38:00my heart sinking deeper with every passing second
38:03i grab mock and rush to the station
38:15when we got there the officer asked
38:17are you sure you're looking for viola smith
38:18we nodded
38:19and the officer shook his head and said
38:21she passed away three days ago
38:24aren't you her family
38:26how could you not know this
38:27my legs gave out beneath me
38:29and i collapsed to the ground
38:31what that was a lie
38:40leo's eyes were bloodshot
38:41his fists clenched as he said
38:46check again
38:48we're looking for viola smith
38:49who lives on peace avenue unit 26
38:52the officer's expression didn't wave
38:54then i'm sorry to say
38:56but she's really gone
39:00her cause of death was silverthone wolf's bones poisoning
39:04which is a slow acting poison
39:05she took a potent painkiller for it
39:08which led to organ failure
39:09and her eventual death
39:10the officer shook his head again
39:12and added
39:13the doctor said she might have lasted months longer
39:16if she hadn't taken the painkiller
39:20or if she'd had access to a miracle elixir
39:23that could have neutralized the toxin entirely
39:26but it's too late to talk about that now
39:28my world spun at the officer's words
39:31a miracle elixir
39:32a cure we could have gotten for her
39:34it was me
39:35no us
39:36we had starved her of hope
39:38we as good as killed her ourselves
39:39then darkness
39:45someone's sending nasty text to mommy
39:48this is so wrong
39:50wendy had passed out
39:51so i told charlie to take her to the hospital
39:54clutching the few belongings the police had returned to me
39:57viola's phone
39:58and a handful of signed transfer agreements
40:00i rushed after them
40:02at the hospital
40:03charlie stared at the documents
40:05viola
40:07is this all she left behind
40:09charlie was crying
40:10tears streaming down his face
40:13as he looked at the documents
40:14company shares transfer agreements
40:17and the bank trust fund transfer
40:19dad grandpa grandma look at this
40:21mark was holding up a phone
40:23someone's sending nasty text to mommy
40:26this is so wrong
40:27the screen showed a text message
40:29viola
40:30your parents
40:30mate
40:31and son
40:31all belong to me now
40:33you can't compete with me
40:34i'll take everything you own
40:35viola
40:36don't think ignoring me will make this go away
40:39didn't you say you'd give me the company
40:40why does the ownership still belong to you
40:42viola
40:43you lied to me
40:44i'm going to tell mom and dad you've been picking on me
40:46viola
40:47are you dead out there
40:48actually it's better this way
40:49i took the only thing that could have saved you
40:52the miracle elixir
40:53now
40:54death is your only choice
40:56just die already
40:57it's better this way
40:58dozens of venomous curses followed
41:00each one so vicious
41:02that even the officers who had followed us
41:04fell into stunned silence
41:06did jane send these
41:08charlie's hands trembled uncontrollably
41:11he couldn't believe what he was reading
41:13and the realization hit him like a physical blow
41:15he was one of the people who had contributed to his daughter's death
41:26mommy really was sick
41:27and that woman bullied her
41:29mark cried
41:30wendy was pulling at her hair
41:32full of regret
41:32it's my fault
41:34i was so kind to an outsider
41:36but i neglected my own daughter
41:39i felt anger rise inside me
41:41and i stormed into jane's room
41:42to my shock
41:44there was a strange man in the room with her
41:46when jane saw me she looked panicked
41:53leo
41:54why are you here
41:56the man beside her sneered
41:58just perfect timing
42:00i'm jane's real father
42:02jeremy
42:03you all think she's this
42:06sweet and obedient girl
42:08don't you
42:08he laughed coldly
42:11she's nothing but a devil
42:13stop please
42:14jeng tried to stop him
42:16but he didn't listen
42:17warned you
42:17no money
42:18and i'd expose everything
42:19did you really think
42:21i'd let you walk away
42:22unscathed
42:23jeremy turned to us
42:24and mockingly said
42:25open your eyes
42:26that silver-honed wolfsbape
42:30she poisoned your mate with it
42:32paid a witch to brew it
42:34he paused for a moment
42:35to let the words sink in
42:37she was never sick
42:39everything was staged
42:40all to steal viola's last chance
42:43at survival
42:47you're all fools
42:49who treats an outsider like royalty
42:53while your own daughter and mate
42:55withers in front of you
42:56jeremy's words struck like a silver blade
42:58twisting deep
43:00get away from me
43:05here's the proof
43:06he threw a pile of documents at me
43:08charlie and wendy stood behind me
43:10barely able to breathe from the pain
43:11mark rushed to jane's bed
43:13hitting her with all his strength
43:15you killed mommy
43:16give her back to me
43:17give her back
43:18get away from me
43:20did i kill her
43:21you were the ones who gave me the miracle elixir
43:24your sir
43:25your family murdered viola
43:28not me
43:29jane shrieked like a deranged woman
43:31i turned to the officers
43:33my voice hollow but firm
43:34arrest her
43:36charge her with intentional homicide
43:38as we stood there
43:40looking at the empty
43:41lifeless hospital room
43:43my heart felt heavy
43:44we had all played a part in viola's death
43:48are mr and mrs smith here
43:49it was selena
43:50viola's best friend
43:52she handed us some legal documents
43:54here's the certified copy of viola's estate and final arrangements
43:59everything under her name now belongs to you
44:01her face was blank as she looked at us
44:04if you'd known it would end like this
44:06would you still have treated her that way
44:08after she left
44:09my in-laws and i broke down in tears
44:11holding each other as we cried
44:13our prejudice killed viola
44:15and our neglect cost her her life
44:17yet even in her final moments
44:19she still thought of us
44:20and left everything to us
44:22that night
44:23we wept until dawn bled into the sky
44:25after the funeral
44:26i moved into the cemetery grounds
44:28while mark went to live with his grandparents
44:30i wanted to be near viola
44:32and atone for my past mistakes
44:35viola i'm sorry
44:36you
44:37you
Comments