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My Mafia Husband Begged Me Back - Full
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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.
00:07He grabbed Madeline, without hesitation.
00:09And 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,
00:17and 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.
00:27And my husband, his response was to offer me 30% of his company shares.
00:31If I took the blame,
00:32Whatever, I don't care.
00:34Those were the last honest words I ever said to him.
00:36Because after that, I divorced him,
00:39uploaded the recording that proved everything to the dark web,
00:41and boarded a helicopter out of his world forever.
00:44Finally,
00:45I took the blame.
00:50Empire to the ground.
00:52After my daughter Kelly died,
00:54I 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,
01:08the medic told me to notify my family.
01:10I just replied calmly,
01:11I don't have any.
01:13A nurse recognized me.
01:15Mrs. Curran, right?
01:18Mr. Curran is right next door.
01:20Should I inform him?
01:21I shook my head.
01:24That won't be necessary.
01:26Thirty minutes later,
01:27Everett 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.
01:44When the guard's voices drifted in from outside.
01:47Mr. Curran really cares about Mrs. Finley.
01:50She only twisted her ankle.
01:52He 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.
02:00He laughed at me,
02:02waiting for me to make a scene like I used to.
02:04But I didn't even blink.
02:06I simply leaned back against the pillow
02:08and closed my eyes.
02:13The air around Everett grew heavy.
02:17Don'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.
02:32You don't believe me?
02:33I do.
02:35You personally trained Madeline to keep personnel
02:38and you're her superior.
02:41It's only natural you look out for her.
02:44My calm response unsettled him.
02:45More than anger ever could.
02:47A loud crash echoed from outside.
02:51Madeline staggered into view
02:53and collapsed right in front of my ward.
02:56Everett strode over
02:57and swept her into his arms.
02:59What 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
03:11as if I were something to fear.
03:13Mrs. Curran, please don't blame me.
03:19I never meant for Kelly to die.
03:21In the past,
03:22I would have seized him by the collar.
03:24I would have demanded to know
03:25why he was shielding the woman.
03:27Responsible for our daughter's death.
03:29But now...
03:33I 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,
03:46I got a call from the
03:47Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
03:49Mrs. Simpson.
03:50Are you absolutely sure you want to join
03:52the Welkin Shield Project?
03:53This is a classified initiative
03:54at the highest level.
03:56Once you're in,
03:56you'll be stationed at the base
03:57for a minimum of 20 years.
04:00Completely cut off from the outside world.
04:02That includes your husband.
04:04Yes.
04:05I'm sure.
04:07The person on the other end hesitated.
04:10If you change your mind,
04:12you have three days to withdraw.
04:15After all,
04:16you used to care so much
04:17about Mr. Curran.
04:18I won't regret it.
04:21Because I don't love him anymore.
04:28The next second,
04:30the 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!
04:41Alicia!
04:43I quietly ended the call
04:45and closed my eyes,
04:46fending sleep.
04:48Everett approached,
04:49his presence cold and commanding.
04:51But he paused
04:52when 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
04:59his anger further.
05:02He couldn't stand the thought
05:03of me leaving him,
05:04even in dreams.
05:05He grabbed my wrist
05:07and then shook me awake.
05:10Allie, did you have a nightmare?
05:12I lowered my eyes.
05:14I dreamed about Kelly.
05:18The word struck him
05:19like 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
05:33beyond on repair,
05:34and even my tears
05:36had long since run dry.
05:42Kelly was gone.
05:43Did he really believe
05:45another child
05:46could erase that?
05:49Everett,
05:50it's the middle of the night.
05:51Why are you here?
05:53He looked caught off guard.
05:55Allie,
05:55Maddie's stomach
05:56is bothering her.
05:57She's craving that soup you make.
06:03My body went ice cold.
06:07I'd just survived an explosion.
06:10Shrapnel was still
06:10embedded in my body,
06:11and here was
06:12at Everett,
06:13waking me in the dead of night
06:14to make soup for Madeline.
06:16Give me a pen and paper.
06:17I'll write down the recipe.
06:19Everett signaled
06:19one of his men
06:20to bring them.
06:24As I handed him the paper,
06:26his fingertips trembled.
06:30Recognition dawned on him.
06:33Once,
06:34long ago,
06:35he'd asked me
06:36for that recipe.
06:38Back then,
06:38I'd told him,
06:39I'll give it to you
06:40the day we part ways.
06:42As long as we're together,
06:44I'll always make
06:45the soup for you myself.
06:46Now I'd handed it over
06:47without a second thought.
06:49Mr. Curran,
06:50Miss Finley is in
06:50considerable pain.
06:51She's been asking for you.
06:52He frowned and strode out
06:53without a backward glance.
06:55I was accustomed
06:56to this by now.
06:57I closed my eyes
06:59and tried to rest.
07:02But I'd barely drifted off
07:03when a brutal force
07:04pulled me up.
07:05Alicia,
07:06Maddie coughed up blood
07:07after drinking that soup.
07:08Why?
07:10This grip on my chin
07:12was punishing.
07:14What did you put
07:15in that recipe
07:16you gave me?
07:19I glanced at him flat.
07:22You think it's off?
07:24Let the medics check it.
07:27Ali, if you're upset,
07:29just say so.
07:30Don't shut me out like this.
07:32I'm your husband,
07:33not your enemy.
07:34I closed my eyes.
07:35I have nothing more
07:36to say to you.
07:37For a moment,
07:38he thought he'd
07:39stopped breathing.
07:40What is that supposed
07:40to mean?
07:41I fell silent,
07:42as if he weren't
07:43even standing there.
07:44Outside,
07:45his subordinate's voice
07:46filtered through.
07:47Mr. Curran,
07:48Mrs. Finley's stomach
07:49has 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
07:54to give me
07:54one deep look.
07:55Get some rest,
07:56Ali.
07:57I'll drive you
07:57back tomorrow.
07:58That night stretched on,
08:00like an endless windchip.
08:01Ali, my daughter,
08:03who'd grown inside me
08:04for ten months,
08:05would be reduced
08:06to ashes tomorrow,
08:08sealed in a cold earth,
08:09and laid to rest
08:10in dark earth.
08:11The next day,
08:12Everett drove me
08:13to the country town,
08:15hidden deep
08:15in the mountains.
08:16Leaning on my crutch,
08:17I made my way
08:18into the funeral home,
08:19desperate,
08:20for one last glimpse
08:21of my little girl.
08:22But the instant
08:23I crossed the threshold,
08:24Beverly Curran lunged at me
08:25like a woman possessed.
08:26You vile bitch!
08:28You actually have the nerve
08:30to 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
08:41to that observation desk?
08:43You wanted her to die.
08:45I went cold.
08:47All over.
08:49Madeline was the one
08:50who took Kelly
08:50to the observation desk.
08:52Why was Beverly
08:52saying it was me?
08:53I turned to look at Everett.
08:55He looked away.
08:56The other friends
08:57swooped forward,
08:58joining memory
08:58as they struck me
08:59with cold.
09:00Speed up!
09:01Kill her!
09:01She murdered
09:02her own daughter!
09:04You don't deserve
09:05to see Kelly
09:05one last time!
09:07Sticks of batons
09:08rained down on me
09:09without mercy.
09:10Someone threw a rock
09:11that split my forehead open.
09:12My crutch was grabbed
09:14and used as a weapon
09:15against me.
09:15I collapsed to the floor.
09:17Blood and dust
09:18smearing across my face.
09:21Enough!
09:22After what felt
09:23like an eternity,
09:25Everett pushed through
09:26and shielded me
09:26with his body.
09:29Kelly's death
09:30was an accident.
09:31Allie isn't to blame.
09:33Anyone who touches her again
09:34will be dealt with
09:35according to family rules.
09:39his razor-sharp gaze
09:40swept the room
09:41until the crowd
09:42slowly dispersed.
09:43Only then
09:44did his expression soften.
09:49He lifted me
09:50into his arms
09:51and carried me
09:52back to our bedroom.
09:53He retrieved
09:54the first aid kit
09:55to tend to my wounds,
09:56but my eyes
09:56remained utterly cold.
09:58Everett,
09:59Madeline took Kelly
10:00to that observation deck.
10:02So why did Beverly
10:03say it was me?
10:04His hand holding
10:05the gauze paused.
10:07Allie,
10:07Maddie is the weapons
10:08expert the family
10:08invested in.
10:09Her identity
10:10is sensitive.
10:12If anyone finds out
10:13she was indirectly
10:14responsible for Kelly's death,
10:17she won't have a place
10:18here anymore.
10:18You're different.
10:20You're my wife,
10:21under my protection.
10:24Take the blame
10:25for her this once,
10:26okay?
10:27I'll transfer 30%
10:29of Curry defense
10:30industry's shares
10:30to you as compensation.
10:32He watched me
10:32with barely
10:33two weeks.
10:34He thought I'd
10:34break down crying
10:35or lash out,
10:36but my expression
10:37stayed so calm.
10:37It sent panic
10:38seeping into his chest.
10:40I merely glanced
10:41at him flatly.
10:42Whatever,
10:42I don't care.
10:46He should have
10:46felt relieved.
10:47Instead,
10:48something in his chest
10:49tightened painfully.
10:52Allie,
10:53don'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
11:02to explain.
11:03Only someone
11:04still in deep love
11:05needed explanations.
11:07I didn't love him
11:08anymore,
11:08so none of his words
11:10meant 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,
11:20Mr. Curran.
11:20Mrs. Finley went
11:21to pay her respects
11:22and ran into
11:23Miss Curran.
11:24They're fighting.
11:25Diane Curran was
11:26the family's
11:26true-blooded heir.
11:28Everett's expression
11:29changed drastically.
11:31Allie,
11:31bandage yourself.
11:32I have to handle this.
11:34He strode out hastily.
11:35The moment he left,
11:37Beverly barged in
11:38with several
11:38of her trusted people.
11:41Alicia,
11:41no one's here
11:43to protect you now.
11:44Her gaze was
11:45pure malice.
11:47Kelly's dead
11:49because of you.
11:51I'm gonna make sure
11:52you understand
11:53what it feels like
11:54to fall.
11:57She signaled her men
11:58to drag me
11:59to an abandoned
12:00ventilation shaft.
12:01Deep,
12:02dark,
12:03with 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
12:11any idea
12:12how terrifying
12:14that fall was?
12:15Beverly grabbed
12:16my hair
12:17and forced my
12:18upper body
12:18over the shaft's edge.
12:20You were right there.
12:23Why didn't you
12:24catch her?
12:25Dizziness overwhelmed me.
12:26The darkness below
12:28gaped like a monster's mouth.
12:30Beverly pushed me
12:31to the edge
12:31time and again,
12:33yanking me back
12:34only at the last second.
12:35Breathe!
12:36You know how to breathe,
12:38don't you?
12:38When Kelly fell,
12:40she didn't even
12:41have time to cry!
12:43After several rounds
12:44of this torture,
12:45a sharp pain
12:46tore through my chest.
12:47A metallic taste
12:48flooded my mouth.
12:50Blood 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,
12:59did Beverly let go?
13:00I slumped to the ground,
13:01my consciousness fading.
13:04When I woke,
13:05I was in the ward.
13:07Everett sat by the bed.
13:09You're awake,
13:09Allie.
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,
13:20too,
13:21she won't lay a finger
13:22on you again.
13:22A deep chill
13:23ran through me.
13:24I'd nearly died,
13:26and 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,
13:35unwilling to say
13:36another word.
13:37Allie,
13:38I know you're upset
13:38about Kelly.
13:39I promise I'll
13:40make it up to you.
13:42We have a long
13:43future ahead.
13:47I'll make you fall
13:48for me again.
13:49He stood and left.
13:50The moment the door
13:51closed,
13:52two encrypted messages
13:53arrived on my phone.
13:54The first was
13:55from the courthouse.
13:56Miss Simpson,
13:57your divorce from
13:58Mr. Curran
13:59has been finalized.
14:00The second was
14:01from DARPA.
14:02Miss Simpson,
14:03the Welkin Shield
14:04project launches
14:05tomorrow.
14:06Your helicopter
14:07is ready.
14:08I stared at the
14:09screen for a long
14:10time.
14:12Finally,
14:12I let out a
14:13relieved 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 to
14:22Madeline's room.
14:23Alicia?
14:25What are you
14:26doing here?
14:27The usual
14:27fragile act
14:28vanished from
14:29her face,
14:30replaced by
14:31contempt.
14:31Here to look
14:32for Rhett?
14:33How pathetic.
14:35Look at how
14:35badly you're hurt,
14:37and he hasn't
14:38spared you a
14:38second glance.
14:39But me?
14:41I twisted my
14:42ankle,
14:42and he stayed
14:43by my side
14:44around the
14:44clock.
14:45I felt nothing.
14:46These petty
14:47games over
14:47attention no
14:48longer concerned
14:49me.
14:49I asked only
14:50one question.
14:51Madeline?
14:52That day on
14:53the observation
14:54deck?
14:55Did Kelly
14:56fall on her
14:57own,
14:57or did you
14:58push her?
14:59Madeline's
14:59face split
15:00into a
15:00wild grin.
15:02Alicia,
15:02you know
15:02what?
15:03Rhett was
15:03there that
15:04day too.
15:05The railing
15:05gave way.
15:06Kelly and
15:07I slipped
15:07at the
15:07same time.
15:09Rhett grabbed
15:09me without
15:10hesitation,
15:10and Kelly
15:11fell.
15:12She fell
15:13right in
15:13front of
15:13us.
15:14Everett had
15:14been there
15:15the day
15:15Kelly died.
15:16He chose
15:17to save
15:17Madeline.
15:18He let
15:19her daughter
15:19fall.
15:22You want
15:22to know
15:22the funniest
15:23part?
15:24Rhett knows
15:25I'm trained
15:26in climbing.
15:26He knows
15:27my balance
15:28is perfect,
15:29but his
15:30first instinct
15:31was still
15:31to save
15:32me.
15:33Tears
15:34blurred
15:34my vision.
15:35I swore
15:36this would
15:36be the
15:37last time
15:37I ever
15:39cried for
15:39Everett.
15:40I wiped
15:40my eyes,
15:41picked up
15:42my crutch,
15:43and walked
15:43out.
15:44I moved
15:45slowly,
15:45but I never
15:46looked back.
15:47Everett,
15:48we no longer
15:49have a future.
15:52From now
15:52on we won't
15:53see each other
15:53again.
15:54Not in
15:54this life,
15:55not in
15:56the
15:57court
15:58house,
15:58and picked
15:59up my
15:59divorce
16:00decree.
16:00Before
16:01getting on
16:01the
16:01helicopter,
16:02I uploaded
16:03the complete
16:04recording of
16:04my conversation
16:05with Madeline
16:06to the
16:06dark web.
16:07Kelly's
16:08death was
16:08an accident?
16:09The law
16:10couldn't
16:10touch
16:11them?
16:12Then let
16:12the truth
16:13burn in
16:13the shadows.
16:14That was
16:14the last
16:15thing I
16:15did for
16:15my
16:16daughter.
16:16I threw
16:17away my
16:17phone.
16:18The
16:18helicopter
16:19lifted me
16:19into
16:19the
16:19clouds.
16:20Finally,
16:21I was
16:22free.
16:24The
16:25helicopter
16:25punched
16:25through
16:26layers
16:26of
16:26clouds.
16:27Below
16:27me,
16:27the
16:28company
16:28town
16:28shrunk
16:29rapidly,
16:29until it
16:30disappeared
16:30behind
16:31rolling
16:31mountain
16:31regions.
16:32I leaned
16:32against
16:33the
16:33cabin
16:33wall
16:33as
16:34the
16:34sky
16:34out
16:34slowly
16:35brightened.
16:47My
16:47heart
16:48no longer
16:48beat
16:48for
16:48Everett.
16:50By the
16:51time we
16:51landed at
16:51the
16:51Northwest
16:52airbase,
16:53dusk had
16:53settled over
16:54the desert.
16:55The base
16:56sat like
16:56a steel
16:56fortress
16:57embedded
16:58in the
16:58earth.
17:01Welcome
17:02at
17:03Mrs.
17:03Simpson.
17:10I'm
17:10Vernon
17:11Lynch,
17:11base
17:12commander.
17:13As of
17:13today,
17:14you're the
17:15lead systems
17:15engineer for
17:16the Weldon
17:16Shield
17:17project.
17:18This will
17:19be your
17:19home for
17:19the next
17:1920 years
17:20or
17:21longer.
17:22Home?
17:26The
17:27place I'd
17:27once called
17:28home had
17:29long become
17:29a hell that
17:30consumed me.
17:33Uh,
17:34thank you,
17:35commander
17:35Lynch.
17:36My voice was
17:37calm as I
17:37accepted the
17:38non-disclosure
17:39agreement and
17:39ID badge.
17:40Here,
17:42I wasn't
17:43Mrs.
17:44Curran.
17:47I was
17:48Mrs.
17:49Simpson.
17:50That
17:51realization
17:51brought me
17:52an almost
17:52cruel sense
17:53of relief.
17:56The
17:56days
17:57blurred
17:57into a
17:58rhythm
17:58of
17:58intense
17:59work
17:59and
18:00isolation.
18:04No
18:04internet,
18:05no
18:06personal
18:06communication,
18:07only
18:07encrypted
18:08internal
18:08lines and
18:09mountains of
18:10blueprints
18:11and data.
18:12I poured
18:13everything into
18:14well-toned
18:14shield.
18:15Each
18:15problem I
18:16solved felt
18:17like stripping
18:17away another
18:18layer of
18:19who I
18:19used to
18:19be.
18:20Occasionally,
18:21in the
18:22dead of
18:22night,
18:23Kelly's
18:23face would
18:23flash through
18:24my mind.
18:27The
18:28dimples when
18:29she smiled.
18:31The
18:31soft way
18:32she called
18:33for me when
18:33she threw
18:33herself into
18:34my arms.
18:35My heart
18:36would seize,
18:38suffocating
18:38me with
18:38pain.
18:41But I'd
18:42force myself
18:42back to
18:43the flickering
18:44screen.
18:47Work was
18:48the best
18:49sedative.
18:50My deputy
18:51at Damon
18:52Jenking seemed
18:52to sense
18:53something my
18:53silences,
18:54but he
18:55never pried.
18:57He just
18:58pushed warm
18:59energy 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,
19:05staring at
19:05the stars
19:05through the
19:06reinforced
19:06glass.
19:08Damon
19:08appeared
19:09beside me.
19:13He held
19:13out a
19:14cup of
19:14hot coffee
19:15without a
19:15word.
19:17Then,
19:17he walked
19:18away.
19:20I wrapped
19:21my hands
19:21around the
19:22warmth,
19:22and for a
19:23moment,
19:23the night
19:24didn't feel
19:24quite so
19:24endless.
19:25Three years
19:26slipped by
19:27before I
19:27realized it.
19:29Welgel Shield's
19:31Phase 1
19:31test platform
19:32was about
19:32to undergo
19:33its
19:33inaugural
19:33orbital
19:34deploy-in.
19:35It was
19:35the project's
19:36most critical
19:36and dangerous
19:37stage yet.
19:39The entire
19:39base hummed
19:40with high
19:41pressure mixed
19:42with barely
19:42contrained
19:43thrill.
19:45Sometime
19:45during the
19:46eighth month,
19:46Vernon called
19:47me into
19:47his office.
19:50He handed
19:51me a
19:51classified
19:52briefing
19:52document,
19:53his expression
19:54grave.
19:55Something's
19:56happened to
19:56current defense
19:57industries.
19:58I scanned
19:59the contents.
20:01An anonymous
20:01source had
20:02leaked their
20:03covert overseas
20:04trading channels,
20:06exposing a
20:06web of
20:07black market
20:08weapons deals.
20:09The information
20:10had been
20:11released in
20:12carefully timed
20:12batches to
20:13international
20:14regulators.
20:15Each leak
20:16landed like
20:17a precision
20:18strike.
20:21Curry defense
20:21industries had
20:22once seemed
20:23like an
20:23unsinkable
20:24juggernaut.
20:27now it was
20:28sinking at
20:29astonishing
20:29speed.
20:31Very
20:31professional
20:32work.
20:33Pinpoint
20:34intel.
20:38Seems like
20:39someone on
20:40the inside.
20:41Vernon's
20:42gaze carried
20:43both scrutiny
20:44and a hint
20:44of probing.
20:48I set the
20:49briefing down,
20:50my face
20:51revealing
20:51nothing.
20:52Commander
20:52Lynch,
20:53right now,
20:53all I care
20:54about is
20:54whether we
20:55can push
20:55Weldok
20:55Shield's
20:56efficiency
20:56by 3%.
20:58Current
20:59defense
20:59industry's
21:00situation is
21:00none of my
21:01concern.
21:06I see.
21:07Get back
21:08to work.
21:13In the
21:13dead of
21:14night,
21:14when I
21:14faced the
21:15stars alone,
21:15I'd think
21:16about the
21:16recording I'd
21:17uploaded before
21:17I left.
21:18That was
21:19just the
21:19spark.
21:23The
21:23information that
21:24followed was
21:24more fatal,
21:25more precise.
21:27I'd collected
21:28it during my
21:29years with the
21:29Currenton
21:30family.
21:31In Everett's
21:32study,
21:33in encrypted
21:33server logs,
21:34beside weapons
21:34designs he
21:35thought I
21:35didn't understand.
21:38Like a trapped
21:39animal,
21:39I'd subconsciously
21:40gathered it all.
21:41The day I
21:41left,
21:42together with
21:42that recording,
21:43I set it all
21:44as a timed
21:44release gift.
21:47I wondered
21:47if Everett
21:48appreciated my
21:49parting gesture.
21:5372 hours
21:54before launch,
21:55I'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
22:04integration
22:04check,
22:05an unexpected
22:05alert flashed
22:06across the
22:07main display.
22:09A minuscule
22:10anomaly in the
22:11orbital parameters.
22:13Probably
22:14background
22:15radiation
22:15interference
22:16or minor
22:17sensor drift.
22:19I'm not
22:20bashta.
22:20It's within
22:21acceptable tolerarity.
22:23But Damon
22:24kept comparing
22:25the data,
22:26frowning.
22:27Miss Simpson,
22:29the fluctuation
22:30pattern is
22:30unusual,
22:31but I don't
22:31think it's
22:31natural
22:31interference.
22:35Looks more
22:36like some
22:36kind of
22:36signal injection.
22:41My heart
22:42tightened.
22:43I immediately
22:43pulled all
22:44relevant logs
22:44and ordered
22:45a full
22:45investigation.
22:47Something
22:48wasn't
22:48right.
22:52someone
22:52had
22:53touched
22:53the
22:53system.
22:59A few
23:00hours later,
23:01the investigation
23:01results came
23:02back,
23:03sending a
23:03chill straight
23:04through me.
23:04Three days
23:05ago,
23:05someone had
23:06used a
23:06brief
23:06maintenance
23:06window to
23:07implant
23:07malicious code
23:08into the
23:08core navigation
23:09substabrate.
23:09the code
23:11wasn't
23:11designed to
23:12cause
23:12immediate
23:13destruction.
23:15It was
23:15programmed to
23:16trigger
23:16cumulative
23:17errors under
23:18specific
23:18conditions,
23:20eventually
23:20causing the
23:21platform to
23:21drift off
23:22course or
23:23fail
23:23completely.
23:26Luckily,
23:26we'd caught
23:27the injurgeon
23:27in time and
23:28purged the
23:29code before
23:33it could do
23:33any real
23:34damage.
23:35The Weckl
23:35Shield
23:35project was
23:36classified at
23:37the highest
23:37level.
23:41an external
23:42cyber attack
23:43was practically
23:44impossible.
23:45This had to
23:46be an inside
23:46job or
23:47someone with
23:48extremely high
23:49level access.
23:50Security launched
23:51an immediate
23:52investigation.
23:55The trail
23:55went cold
23:56when they
23:56traced it to
23:57a young
23:57technician
23:58responsible for
23:59a peripheral
23:59data interface.
24:03They've gone
24:03missing the
24:04day before
24:04the incident.
24:07They found
24:08his abandoned
24:08vehicle.
24:09out in the
24:09desert.
24:14The car
24:15yielded no
24:15useful leads.
24:16Just a faint,
24:18distinctive scent
24:18that lingered in
24:19the air.
24:20A mixture of
24:21gunpowder and
24:22fur.
24:25My fingernails
24:26dug into my
24:27palms as I
24:29recognized it
24:29instantly.
24:31It was
24:31Everett's
24:32signature custom
24:33blended cologne.
24:34The scent
24:35unique and
24:35long-lasting.
24:37He'd once
24:38mentioned
24:38casually that
24:39the scent
24:40helped him
24:40maintain
24:40absolute
24:41calm.
24:43Was it
24:44him?
24:44Had he
24:45found this
24:46place?
24:46Or had he
24:47sent one
24:48of his
24:48men?
24:50Vernon's face
24:51turned
24:51livid.
24:52He immediately
24:53elevated the
24:53base's security
24:54alert level and
24:55reported directly
24:56to higher
24:56commit.
24:58the instructions
24:59came back
24:59swiftly.
25:00Proceed with
25:01the launch as
25:01scheduled.
25:02But activate
25:03the highest
25:04emergency protocols.
25:06Launch day
25:06dawned bright and
25:07clear over the
25:08desert.
25:09The massive
25:10launch tower
25:10stood upright
25:11against the
25:11sky.
25:17Inside mission
25:18control, the
25:19atmosphere was
25:20heavy with
25:20tension.
25:22Everyone remained
25:23glued to their
25:23workstations.
25:25focus
25:26absolute.
25:31I sat in the
25:32chief engineer
25:33seat, facing
25:34multiple screens
25:35displaying different
25:35data.
25:37My heartbeat
25:38stayed steady.
25:39Everything else,
25:40the tangled
25:41thoughts, the
25:42painful memories,
25:44even the recent
25:45security breach,
25:47was forced to
25:48push to the
25:48periphery of my
25:49mind.
25:50For now, my
25:52entire world
25:53consisted of
25:53jumping data
25:54points and
25:54flowing curves.
25:56One minute to
25:57launch.
26:00Ten, nine,
26:02eight, three,
26:05two, one,
26:07ignition!
26:11The roar reached
26:12us through the
26:13ground itself.
26:14On the screens,
26:15the rocket lifted
26:17off steadily.
26:20first stage
26:21separation nominee.
26:23Second stage
26:24ignition nominee.
26:25Orbit in
26:26search and
26:27phase.
26:27The platform
26:27successfully
26:28entered its
26:29designated orbit.
26:32The solar panels
26:33began to deploy.
26:37הוא指
26:37Love-suppressed
26:38ships
26:38erupted
26:39throughout
26:40mission control.
26:41We've done it!
26:43I leaned back
26:44in my chair
26:45and let
26:46out a long
26:46breath.
26:48He
26:48unfit
26:49a glass of
26:50water.
26:53Miss Simpson,
26:55we actually
26:56did it.
26:57His eyes met mine, for a single, bright moment.
27:00And he looked away first.
27:05I accepted the glass, and nodded at Damon.
27:09But deep down, I couldn't shake the unease, that clung to me like a second skin.
27:15The security breach remained unsolved.
27:17The celebration was brief.
27:19I retreated to my office, and pulled up every report related to the intrusion.
27:25Night fell. The base settled into silence.
27:28I rubbed my throbbing temples, finally ready to call it a night.
27:31I powered down my main system, and was about to stand.
27:35Then the screen of my dedicated terminal, the one used for top, secret work,
27:39physically air-gapped from every other network, flickered to life on its own.
27:43No login interface. No system prompt.
27:46Against the black background, a single line of white text floated,
27:50like something risen from the depths.
27:52Let's talk, Allie.
27:56My blood turned to ice.
28:00The words lingered for perhaps five seconds, before vanishing.
28:05The screen went back to sleep mode, as if nothing had happened.
28:09But I knew, with absolute certainty, that I hadn't imagined it.
28:13My terminal had the highest possible security clearance.
28:17Theoretically.
28:18External intrusion was impossible.
28:20Unless someone on the inside had cooperated, or an unknown vulnerability had been exploited.
28:24My mind flashed back.
28:26To the malicious code from days ago, Everett.
28:28He'd actually extended his reach this far.
28:30Rage ignited inside me, burning hot enough to freeze my hands.
28:34How dare he touch Welkin's shield.
28:36This wasn't just personal anymore.
28:38It was a direct threat to national security.
28:40I hit the internal emergency communication button immediately.
28:44Vernon and the head of security arrived within minutes.
28:49The tech experts conducted a thorough sweep of the terminal.
28:55They found an extremely sophisticated, deeply hidden access point.
29:00Its source untraceable.
29:05Implemented with a level of professionalism.
29:08That only a handful of people in the world could achieve.
29:14Full sweep of every internal network and physical port.
29:17Now!
29:20Vernon's expression.
29:22Was darker than I'd ever seen it.
29:24Mrs. Simpson, it's clear.
29:25You're the target.
29:27We need to know what he wants and how you plan to handle it.
29:30I sat in silence for a moment.
29:32Thinking.
29:33Everett had gone to these lengths.
29:35To find me.
29:37He already knew about my involvement in Welkin's shield.
29:40He might also have discovered my role.
29:44In the leaks against current defense industries.
29:48What did he want?
29:50Revenge?
29:51Threats?
29:53Or something else entirely?
29:58I'll talk to him.
29:59My voice was calmer than I felt.
30:01Completely devoid of warmth.
30:03Vernon pondered for a moment.
30:05Then he exchanged a look with the security chief.
30:09And finally nodded.
30:12Okay.
30:13We'll set it up.
30:15But Mrs. Simpson.
30:17Remember who you are now.
30:23I met his gaze without flinching.
30:25I know exactly who I am.
30:27I'm the chief engineer of Welkin's shield.
30:29The project lead.
30:30That comes before everything else.
30:31But it has to be in a completely controlled environment.
30:34I need an isolated one-way communication channel.
30:36Fully transparent with no possibility of traceback or additional infiltration.
30:40The entire conversation must be monitored and recorded.
30:44They arranged the communication.
30:46In a special isolation bay.
30:48The room contained only the most basic audio equipment.
30:52All signals were encrypted.
30:54And filtered through multiple layers.
30:57At the appointed time.
30:58I sat down in the bay.
31:01A microphone in front of me.
31:03The communication went through.
31:06No video.
31:07Just the faint static hum of electrons.
31:12Then that voice reached me.
31:14Through the speakers.
31:15The voice I thought I'd long buried in the past.
31:18It was deep.
31:20Rough around the edges.
31:21Hearing an exhaustion I couldn't quite place.
31:24And something that almost sounded like urgency.
31:27Allie?
31:33That single word.
31:34Pierced my ears.
31:36I clenched my hands against my knees.
31:39Fingernails digging deep into flesh.
31:42Using the pain.
31:44To anchor myself in absolute calm.
31:48Mr. Corrin.
31:49My voice came out steady and flat.
31:52You've illegally breached a national level classified base communication system.
31:57Do you have any idea what that means?
32:00Several seconds of silence passed.
32:03Then an almost imperceptible sigh filtered through.
32:06Yes.
32:06I know exactly what it means.
32:09But.
32:11I needed to see you.
32:13Or at least hear you.
32:14For the sake of those shady deals you've been running?
32:17Or to make things right for your beloved Madeline?
32:20I let icy mockery seep into my tone.
32:23The recording and those files.
32:26Did you enjoy them?
32:27Those.
32:28His voice turned rough.
32:29Fractured.
32:31I deserved every bit of that.
32:35But that's not why I'm reaching out to you.
32:40Oh?
32:41Then what?
32:42To catch up?
32:47I'm sorry, Mr. Corrin.
32:48But there's nothing left between us to catch up on.
32:52Allie!
32:53His voice rose.
32:55Carrying suppressed agony.
32:57Please don't be like this.
33:00I know I was wrong.
33:02I was ridiculously wrong.
33:04I've spent every day of the past three years.
33:07Repenting?
33:09I cut him off.
33:10The absurdity of it almost making me laugh.
33:14What good does that do?
33:15Can it bring Kelly back?
33:17Can it undo the choice you made that day?
33:19Can it make up for the fact that Beverly nearly killed me?
33:22Or whitewash those shady deals you built your empire on?
33:25My garage acquisted him.
33:27Left him trapped in a long silence.
33:29When he finally spoke again,
33:31his voice was utterly wrecked.
33:33Without Kelly,
33:34I got to the bottom of it.
33:36It was Madeline.
33:38She used to see the screws on that old railing.
33:40Back then, I thought it was just an accident.
33:42I was afraid that if my family found out it was her,
33:45they'd deal with her, so I...
33:48So you made me the scapegoat?
33:50You let your mother and your entire family torture me
33:53like I was the one who killed my own daughter?
33:56My voice trembled uncontrollably.
33:59Not from sorrow,
34:00but from pure fury.
34:05Everett, your devotion to talent,
34:06your protective instincts,
34:08how impressive.
34:09I should probably applaud you.
34:11Do you have any idea what Beverly did that day?
34:14She nearly threw me down that ventilation shaft.
34:16She said she'd make sure I experienced
34:18exactly how desperate Kelly must have felt.
34:20I didn't know she'd go that far.
34:22I warned her!
34:23His words came out rushed.
34:24Desperate.
34:25Allie, I'm sorry.
34:26I'm so sorry.
34:29I'll make it up to you with everything I have.
34:31I'll give up current defense industries.
34:34I'll do anything!
34:35Save it!
34:35I cut him off sharply.
34:37All the emotions I suppressed surged up,
34:39cracking through my carefully constructed calm.
34:42Everett, nothing you do means anything to me anymore.
34:45Not your compensation,
34:46not Curry defense industries,
34:48not a single thing you have to offer.
34:51From the moment you chose to save Madeline
34:54and let Kelly fall,
34:55the only thing left between us was hatred.
35:02Listen to me carefully.
35:04Hatred.
35:05Tears welled up uncontrollably,
35:07but I wiped them away instantly,
35:08my voice turning even colder, harder.
35:11You risked everything to contact me today.
35:14If this is what you wanted to hear,
35:16congratulations.
35:18You've heard it.
35:19If you had some other agenda,
35:21take my advice.
35:24Stop while you still can.
35:26Weldl Shield is not something you can touch.
35:29Those little games you've been playing,
35:32they've already caught the attention of people
35:34far above my pay grade.
35:36Keep going,
35:37and business sanctions will be the least of your worries.
35:41I drew a deep breath,
35:42using the last ounce of my strength to form each word.
35:46Everett,
35:46you and I were finished a long time ago.
35:50We were done the moment I left that company town
35:53and uploaded that recording.
35:56No, that's not right.
36:04We were done even before that.
36:08We were done for good the moment Kelly died,
36:10the moment you chose to protect her killer.
36:14Don't come looking for me again.
36:19Don't ever show up in my world again.
36:22If you have even the slightest trace of conscience left,
36:25stay away from me and my project.
36:28Otherwise,
36:29I won't hesitate to put you exactly where you belong.
36:34I cut the connection without waiting for his response.
36:38My finger trembled slightly as I pressed the disconnect button.
36:44The isolation bay door opened.
36:48Vernon and the security chief stepped in,
36:51their expressions complicated.
36:53They clearly heard everything.
37:02Vernon hesitated.
37:06I looked up.
37:11The tears on my face had already dried,
37:14leaving only exhaustion
37:15and absolute calm in their wake.
37:19Commander Lynch,
37:20I'll submit a detailed report on this incident.
37:23I recommend we report this immediately
37:26and conduct a full assessment
37:27of the base's security system.
37:31You!
37:32The security chief looked at me.
37:34Are you alright?
37:35I'm fine.
37:38The orbital calibration data for Welkin Shield
37:41still needs review.
37:42I'm heading back to mission control.
37:46I turned and walked out.
37:47My foot stemped steady.
37:49Not a tremor.
37:50Only I knew that somewhere deep inside,
37:52in that corner of my heart
37:53where I'd stored the last fragile fragments of my past,
37:55something had finally died.
37:58Along with that conversation.
38:00After that exchange,
38:01the base entered an unprecedented state
38:03of heightened alert.
38:05Security systems underwent complete upgrades.
38:08Everett hadn't tried anything else.
38:10No further communication attempts.
38:12No new signs of malicious activity.
38:15It almost felt as if my resolute declaration
38:18had actually worked.
38:19But no one dared relax.
38:21The collapse of current defense industries
38:23accelerated faster than anyone predicted.
38:26The once mighty empire
38:28had crumbled to fragments.
38:29I threw myself back into Welcom Shield.
38:32Work became the sole purpose of my existence.
38:34The most solid barrier I could build
38:36between myself and the past.
38:41Damon grew quieter
38:42and also more devoted
38:45to the work in those days.
38:47He was no longer just my deputy.
38:49He developed into someone
38:51with remarkable talent.
38:53We developed a shorthand
38:54that didn't require words.
38:56Sometimes a single glance
38:58was enough to communicate
38:59exactly what needed to be done.
39:03Still, I kept my distance.
39:05The emotional wounds of the past
39:07still haunted me.
39:15Any intimacy beyond professional collaboration
39:18made me instinctively pull back.
39:19Until the night the storm came.
39:33A rare, violent tempest
39:35swept across the desert.
39:38Damon and I worked late
39:40into the night in 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 as it hurled sand and gravel
39:51against the reinforced glass.
40:03Suddenly, the emergency lights kicked on.
40:05Backup power kicked in immediately.
40:10But some non-essential systems
40:12were still affected,
40:13including the lab's door locks.
40:21We were trapped inside.
40:25A voice crackled through the communicator
40:27from the duty room.
40:42Lightning had struck
40:43the external power lines.
40:52Repairs would take time.
40:55We had to wait where we were.
41:01The lab existed now in near-ness,
41:04illuminated by darkness,
41:07illuminated only by the emergency light's dim glow
41:10and the occasional flash of lightning.
41:12Damon and I sat side by side
41:14on the edge of a lab table.
41:16For a long moment,
41:18neither of us spoke.
41:21Mrs. Simpson.
41:22His voice emerged softly,
41:25almost swallowed by the dim space
41:26and the thunder.
41:28Have you ever thought about
41:29what you'll do after
41:29Well and Shield is completely finished?
41:33The question caught me off guard.
41:35No.
41:36I admitted, honestly,
41:38doing my job well right now,
41:40that's enough for me.
41:41I fell silent for a moment
41:43and turned to look at me.
41:51Sometimes, I think,
41:53maybe when this is all over,
41:55I'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?
42:21Um.
42:25It will.
42:27I said,
42:28only take Everett.
42:29You should go.
42:31After the project succeeds.
42:35Will you come with me?
42:36His question came suddenly,
42:38his tone careful.
42:40I froze,
42:41unsure how to answer.
42:43A 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
43:02and walked to the large
43:03observation window.
43:05In the distance,
43:06pale streaks of dawn
43:08pushing through the dark-knit 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 in the sky,
43:20the ones I had sworn to guard,
43:22were embracing a new dawn.
43:24I didn't turn around,
43:26but 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
43:58I thought maybe
44:01that
44:01was