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My Mafia Husband Begged Me Back - Full English Sub
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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.
00:28His 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.
00:38Uploaded the recording that proved everything to the dark web.
00:41And boarded a helicopter out of his world forever.
00:44Finally.
00:49Empire 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.
01:03When 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.
01:21Should I inform him?
01:22I shook my head.
01:23That won't be necessary.
01:26Thirty 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.
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 glanced at me.
02:01Waiting 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 and 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.
02:31You 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, I would have seized him by the collar.
03:24I would have demanded to know why 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, 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.
03:55Once 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.
04:15After all, you used to care so much about Mr. Curran.
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.
04:48Everett 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 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 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?
05:53He 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 just survived an explosion.
06:10Shrapnel was still embedded in my body.
06:11And here was at Everett, waking me in the dead of night to make soup for Madeline.
06:15Get me a pen and paper.
06:17I'll write down the recipe.
06:19Everett signaled one of his men to bring them.
06:24As I handed him the paper, his fingertips trembled.
06:29Recognition dawned on him.
06:33Once, long ago, he'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.
06:49Mr. Curran, Miss 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'd barely drifted off when a brutal force pulled me up.
07:05Alicia, Maddie 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?
07:19I glanced at him flat.
07:22You think it's off?
07:23Let the medics check it!
07:27Ali, if you're upset, just say so.
07:30Don't shut me out like this.
07:32I'm your husband, not your enemy.
07:34I closed my eyes.
07:35I have nothing more to say to you.
07:37For a moment, he 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, his subordinate's voice filtered through.
07:47Mr. Corrin, Mrs. Finley's stomach has been humped.
07:49She's out of danger, but she's terrified.
07:51She keeps calling for you.
07:52I see.
07:53He turned back to give me one deep look.
07:55Get some rest, Ali.
07:57I'll drive you back tomorrow.
07:58That night stretched on, like an endless winter.
08:01Kelly, my daughter, who'd grown inside me for ten months,
08:04would be reduced to ashes tomorrow.
08:08Sealed in a cold earth, and laid to rest in dark earth.
08:11The next day, Everett drove me to the company town.
08:14Hidden deep in the mountains, leaning on my crutch,
08:17I made my way into the funeral home, desperate,
08:20for one last glimpse of my little girl.
08:22But the instant I crossed the threshold,
08:24Beverly Curran lunged at me like a woman possessed.
08:26You vile bitch!
08:28You actually have the nerve to come back?
08:33Beverly slapped me twice, across 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.
08:47All over.
08:48Madeline was the one who 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 currants stepped forward,
08:57joining them early as they struck me in cold.
09:00Cedar!
09:01Kill her!
09:01She murdered her own daughter!
09:03You don't deserve to see Kelly one last time!
09:07Sticks of batons rained down on me, without mercy.
09:10Someone threw a rock that split my forehead open.
09:12My crutch was grabbed, and 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,
09:25Everett pushed through and shielded me with his body.
09:29Kelly's death was an accident.
09:31Allie isn't to blame.
09:32Anyone who touches her again will be dealt with according 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 to tend to my wounds,
09:56but my eyes remained utterly cold.
09:58Everett,
09:59Madeline took Kelly to 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 the family invested in.
10:09Her identity is sensitive.
10:12If anyone finds out she was indirectly responsible for 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% of Curry Defense Industries shares to you as compensation.
10:32He watched me with barely concealed unneeds.
10:34He thought I'd break down crying or lash out.
10:36But my expression stayed so calm.
10:37It sent panic seeping into his chest.
10:40I nearly glanced at him flatly.
10:41Whatever, I don't care.
10:45He should have felt relieved.
10:48Instead,
10:48something in his chest tightened painfully.
10:52Allie, don't overthink it.
10:54Maddie is talented.
10:55And that's why I 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 meant anything to me.
11:11Utterly irritated,
11:13Everett was about to say something.
11:15Before 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 Ms. Curran.
11:24They're fighting.
11:25Diane Curran was the family's
11:26true-blooded heir.
11:28Everett's expression changed drastically.
11:31Allie, 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 trusted people.
11:41Alicia,
11:42no one's here to protect you now.
11:44Her gaze was pure malice.
11:46Kelly's dead
11:49because of you.
11:51I'm going to make sure you understand
11:53what it feels like to fall.
11:56She signaled her men
11:58to drag me to an abandoned
12:00ventilation shaft.
12:01Deep,
12:02dark,
12:02with cold wind
12:04howling up from the bottom.
12:05Kelly fell from that observation top
12:0730 stories high.
12:10Do you have any idea
12:12how terrifying that fall was?
12:15Beverly grabbed my hair
12:17and 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.
12:26The darkness below
12:28gaped like a monster's mouth.
12:30Beverly pushed me to the edge
12:31time and again,
12:32yanking me back
12:33only 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 have time
12:41to 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.
12:49Blood trickled
12:50from the corner of 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.
13:03When I woke,
13:05I was in the ward.
13:07Everett sat by the bed.
13:08You're awake, Allie.
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 everyone
13:18who 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,
13:26and 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,
13:34unwilling to say
13:36another word.
13:37Allie,
13:38I know you're upset
13:38about 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
13:48fall for me again.
13:49He stood and left.
13:50The moment
13:51the 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
14:01was 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 her face.
14:30Replaced
14:30by contempt.
14:31Here to look for Rhett?
14:33How pathetic.
14:35Look at how badly
14:36you're hurt
14:36and he hasn't spared
14:38you a 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
14:48no longer concerned me.
14:49I asked only one question.
14:51Madeline?
14:52That day
14:53on the observation deck?
14:55Did Kelly fall
14:56on her own
14:57or did you push her?
14:58Madeline's face
14:59split into a wild grin.
15:02Alicia,
15:02you know what?
15:03Rhett was there
15:03that day too.
15:05The railing gave way.
15:06Kelly and I
15:07slipped at the same time.
15:09Rhett 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
15:28is perfect.
15:29But his first instinct
15:30was still to save me.
15:33Tears blurred my vision.
15:35I swore this would be
15:36the last time
15:37I ever cried
15:39for Everett.
15:40I wiped my eyes,
15:41picked up my crutch,
15:43and walked out.
15:44I moved slowly,
15:45but I never looked back.
15:47Everett,
15:48we no longer
15:49have a future.
15:52From now on,
15:53we won't see each other again.
15:54Not in this life.
15:55Not in the next.
15:56I 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 lifted me
16:19into the clouds.
16:20Finally,
16:21I was free.
16:24The helicopter
16:25punched through
16:26layers of clouds.
16:27Below me,
16:27the company town
16:28shrunk rapidly
16:29until it disappeared
16:30behind rolling
16:31mountain ragions.
16:32I leaned against
16:33the cabin wall
16:33as the sky out
16:34slowly brightened.
16:47My heart no longer
16:48beat for Everett.
16:50By the time we landed
16:51at the Northwest Air Base,
16:52dusk had settled
16:53over the desert.
16:55The base sat like
16:56a steel fortress
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
17:16engineer for the
17:16Weldon Shield project.
17:18This will be your home
17:19for the next 20 years
17:21or longer.
17:23Home?
17:26The place I'd once
17:27called home
17:28had long become
17:29a hell that consumed me.
17:33Uh,
17:34thank you,
17:35Commander Lynch.
17:36My voice was calm
17:37as I accepted
17:38the non-disclosure agreement
17:39and ID badge.
17:40Here.
17:42I wasn't
17:43Mrs.'s
17:44current. I
17:48was Mrs.
17:49Simpson. That realization
17:51brought me
17:52an almost cruel sense
17:53of relief.
17:56The days blurred
17:57into a rhythm
17:58of intense work
17:59and isolation.
18:04No internet.
18:05No personal communication.
18:07Only encrypted
18:08internal lines
18:09and mountains
18:10of blueprints
18:10and data.
18:12I poured everything
18:13into Weldon Shield.
18:15Each problem
18:16I solved
18:16felt like stripping away
18:18another layer
18:18of who I used to be.
18:20Occasionally,
18:21in the dead of night,
18:22Kelly's face
18:23would flash
18:24through my mind.
18:27The dimples
18:28when she smiled.
18:31The soft way
18:32she called for me
18:33when she threw herself
18:34into my arms.
18:35My heart would seize,
18:37suffocating me
18:38with pain.
18:41But I'd force myself
18:42back
18:43to the flickering screen.
18:47Work was the best
18:48sedative.
18:50My deputy
18:51at Damon Jenkins
18:52seemed to sense
18:53something my silences,
18:54but he never pried.
18:57He just pushed
18:58warm energy drinks
18:59my way
19:00after I'd worked
19:00ten hours straight.
19:02One night,
19:03I stood alone
19:04in the corridor,
19:05staring at the stars
19:05through the reinforced glass.
19:08Damon appeared
19:08beside me.
19:12He held out
19:13a cup of hot coffee
19:14without a word.
19:16Then,
19:17he walked away.
19:20I wrapped my hands
19:21around the warmth,
19:22and for a moment,
19:23the night didn't feel
19:24quite so endless.
19:25Three years slipped by
19:27before I realized it.
19:30Welgel Shield's
19:31phase one test platform
19:32was about to undergo
19:32its inaugural orbital
19:34deploy-in.
19:34It was the project's
19:36most critical
19:36and dangerous stage yet.
19:38The entire base
19:40hummed with high pressure
19:41mixed with barely
19:42constrained thrill.
19:44Some time during
19:46the eighth month,
19:46Vernon called me
19:47into his office.
19:50He handed me
19:51a classified briefing
19:52document,
19:53his expression grave.
19:55Something's happened
19:56to current defense
19:57industries.
19:58I scanned the contents.
20:00An anonymous source
20:02had leaked their covert
20:03overseas trading channels,
20:05exposing a web
20:07of black market
20:07weapons deals.
20:09The information
20:10had been released
20:11in carefully timed
20:12batches to
20:13international regulators.
20:15Each leak landed
20:17like a precision strike.
20:20Curry Defense Industries
20:22had once seemed
20:23like an unsinkable
20:24juggernaut.
20:27Now it was sinking
20:28at astonishing speed.
20:31Very professional work.
20:33Pinpoint intel.
20:38Feels like someone
20:39on the inside.
20:41Vernon's gaze
20:42carried both scrutiny
20:44and a hint of probing.
20:48I set the briefing down,
20:50my face
20:51revealing nothing.
20:52Commander Lynch,
20:53right now,
20:53all I care about
20:54is whether we can push
20:55WellDock Shield's
20:55efficiency by 3%.
20:58Current defense
20:59industry's situation
21:00is none of my concern.
21:06I see.
21:07Get back to work.
21:13In the dead of night
21:14when I faced
21:14the stars alone,
21:15I'd think about
21:16the recording
21:16I'd uploaded
21:17before I left.
21:18That was just
21:19the spark.
21:22The information
21:23that followed
21:24was more fatal,
21:25more precise.
21:27I'd collected it
21:28during my years
21:29with the Curranton family.
21:31An Everett study
21:32in encrypted server logs
21:34beside weapons designs
21:35he thought
21:35I didn't understand.
21:38Like a trapped animal,
21:39I'd subconsciously
21:40gathered it all.
21:41The day I left,
21:42together with that recording,
21:43I set it all
21:44as a timed release gift.
21:46I wondered
21:47if Everett
21:48appreciated
21:48my parting gesture.
21:5272 hours
21:53before launch,
21:54I'd practically
21:55moved into
21:56mission control.
21:57The entire base
21:58held its breath.
22:02During the final
22:03full system
22:03integration check,
22:04an unexpected alert
22:06flashed across
22:06the main display.
22:09A minuscule anomaly
22:11in the orbital parameters.
22:13Probably
22:14background radiation
22:15interference
22:16or minor sensor drift.
22:19I'm not bashed though.
22:21It's within
22:21acceptable tolerarity.
22:23But Damon kept
22:24comparing the data,
22:26frowning.
22:27Miss Simpson.
22:29The fluctuation
22:29pattern is unusual,
22:30but I don't think
22:31it's natural interference.
22:35Looks more like
22:36some kind of
22:36signal injection.
22:41My heart tightened.
22:42I immediately
22:43pulled all relevant logs
22:44and ordered
22:45a full investigation.
22:47Something wasn't right.
22:52Someone had
22:52touched the system.
22:59A few hours later,
23:01the investigation
23:01results came back,
23:03sending a chill
23:03straight through me.
23:04Three days ago,
23:05someone had used
23:06a brief maintenance
23:06window to implant
23:07malicious code
23:08into the core
23:08navigation substabray.
23:10The code wasn't
23:11designed to cause
23:12immediate destruction.
23:15It was programmed
23:16to trigger cumulative
23:17errors under
23:18specific conditions,
23:20eventually causing
23:20the platform to
23:21drift off course
23:22errors, or fail
23:23completely.
23:26Luckily, we'd
23:26caught the injursion
23:27in time and
23:28purged the code
23:32before it could do
23:33any real damage.
23:34The Weckl Shield
23:35project was
23:36classified at
23:37the highest level.
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
23:55went cold
23:56when they traced
23:57it to a young
23:57technician responsible
23:58for a peripheral
23:59data interface.
24:02He'd gone
24:03missing the day
24:04for the incident.
24:07They found his
24:08abandoned vehicle
24:08out in the desert.
24:14The car yielded
24:15no useful leads.
24:16Just a faint,
24:18distinctive scent
24:18that lingered in the
24:19air.
24:20A mixture of
24:21gunpowder and
24:21fur.
24:25My fingernails
24:26dug into my palms
24:27as I recognized
24:29it instantly.
24:30It was Everett's
24:32signature custom
24:33blended cologne.
24:34The scent unique
24:35and long-lasting.
24:37He'd once
24:38mentioned casually
24:38that the scent
24:40helped him
24:40maintain absolute
24:41calm.
24:43Was it him?
24:44Had he found
24:45this place?
24:46Or had he sent
24:47one of his men?
24:50Vernon's face
24:50turned livid.
24:52He immediately
24:53elevated the base's
24:54security alert level
24:54and reported directly
24:55to higher command.
24:58the instructions
24:59came back swiftly.
25:00Proceed with the launch
25:01as scheduled
25:02but activate the
25:03highest emergency
25:04protocols.
25:05Launch day
25:06dawned bright and
25:07clear over the
25:08desert.
25:09The massive launch
25:10tower stood upright
25:11against the sky.
25:17Inside mission control,
25:19the atmosphere was
25:20heavy with tension.
25:22everyone remained
25:23glued to their
25:23workstations.
25:25Focus absolute.
25:31I sat in the
25:32chief engineer's seat
25:33facing multiple screens
25:34displaying different
25:35data.
25:37My heartbeat
25:38stayed steady.
25:39Everything else,
25:40the tangled thoughts,
25:42the painful memories,
25:43even the recent
25:44security breach
25:46was forcefully pushed
25:48to the periphery
25:48of my mind.
25:50For now,
25:51my entire world
25:53consisted of jumping
25:54data points and
25:54flowing curves.
25:56One minute to launch.
26:00Ten,
26:01nine,
26:02eight,
26:04three,
26:05two,
26:06one,
26:07ignition!
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
26:26and phase.
26:27The platform
26:27successfully entered
26:28its designated orbit.
26:31The solar panels
26:33began to deploy.
26:36Long suppressed
26:38ships erupted
26:39throughout mission
26:40control.
26:41We've done it.
26:43I leaned back
26:44in my chair
26:44and let out
26:46a long breath.
26:48Damon walked
26:49into a glass of water.
26:53Miss Simpson,
26:55we actually did it.
26:57His eyes met mine
26:57for a single
26:58bright moment
26:59and he looked
27:01away first.
27:05I accepted
27:06the glass
27:07and nodded
27:08at Damon.
27:09But deep down,
27:10I couldn't shake
27:11the unease
27:12that clung to me
27:13like a second skin.
27:14The security breach
27:16remained unsolved.
27:17The celebration
27:18was brief.
27:19I retreated
27:20to my office
27:21and pulled up
27:22every report
27:22related to the intrusion.
27:25Night fell.
27:26The base settled
27:26into silence.
27:27I rubbed
27:28my throbbing temples.
27:29Finally ready
27:30to call it a night,
27:31I powered down
27:32my main system
27:33and was about to stand.
27:34Then the screen
27:35of my dedicated terminal.
27:37The one used
27:37for top.
27:38Secret work.
27:39Physically air-gapped
27:40from every other network.
27:42Flickered to life
27:42on its own.
27:43No login interface.
27:45No system prompt.
27:46Against the black background,
27:48a single line
27:49of white text floated.
27:50Like something
27:51risen from the depths.
27:52Let's talk, Allie.
27:56My blood
27:57turned to ice.
28:00The words lingered
28:01for perhaps
28:02five seconds.
28:03Before vanishing,
28:05the screen
28:06went back
28:06to sleep mode
28:07as if nothing
28:08had happened.
28:09But I knew
28:10with absolute certainty
28:12that I hadn't imagined it.
28:14My terminal
28:14had the highest
28:15possible security clearance.
28:17Theoretically,
28:18external intrusion
28:19was impossible
28:19unless someone
28:20on the inside
28:21had cooperated
28:21or an unknown
28:22vulnerability
28:23had been exploited.
28:24My mind flashed back
28:25to the malicious code
28:27from days ago.
28:27Everett,
28:28he'd actually extended
28:29his reach this far.
28:30Rage ignited inside me,
28:32burning hot enough
28:33to freeze my hands.
28:34How dare he touch
28:35Welkin's shield?
28:36This wasn't just
28:37personal anymore.
28:38It was a direct threat
28:39to national security.
28:40I hit the internal
28:41emergency communication
28:42button immediately.
28:44Vernon and the head
28:45of security
28:46arrived within minutes.
28:49The tech experts
28:50conducted a thorough
28:51sweep of the terminal.
28:55They found an extremely
28:56sophisticated,
28:57deeply hidden access point.
29:00Its source untraceable.
29:05implemented with a level
29:06of professionalism
29:07that only a handful
29:09of people in the world
29:10could achieve.
29:14Full sweep of every
29:15internal network
29:16and physical port.
29:17Now!
29:20Vernon's expression
29:21was darker
29:22than I'd ever seen it.
29:23Mrs. Simpson,
29:25it's clear
29:25you're the target.
29:27We need to know
29:28what he wants
29:28and how you plan
29:29to handle it.
29:30I sat in silence
29:31for a moment,
29:32thinking,
29:33Everett had gone
29:34to these lengths
29:35to find me.
29:37He already knew
29:38about my involvement
29:39in Welkin's shield.
29:40He might also
29:41have discovered
29:42my role
29:44in the leaks
29:45against 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
30:02of warmth.
30:03Vernon pondered
30:04for a moment.
30:05Then he exchanged
30:06a look with
30:07the security chief.
30:09And finally nodded.
30:11Okay.
30:13We'll set it up.
30:15But Miss Simpson,
30:17remember who you are now.
30:23I'm at his gaze
30:24without flinching.
30:25I know exactly
30:26who 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
30:32in a completely
30:32controlled environment.
30:34I need an isolated
30:34one-way communication channel,
30:36fully transparent
30:37with no possibility
30:38of traceback
30:38or additional infiltration.
30:40The entire conversation
30:41must be monitored
30:41and recorded.
30:44They arranged
30:45the communication
30:46in a special
30:47isolation bay.
30:48The room contained
30:49only the most
30:50basic audio equipment.
30:52All signals
30:53were encrypted
30:54and filtered
30:55through multiple layers.
30:57At the appointed time,
30:59I sat down
31:00in the bay,
31:00a microphone
31:01in front of me.
31:03The communication
31:04went through.
31:05No video.
31:06Just the faint static
31:07hum of electrons.
31:12Then that voice
31:13reached me.
31:14Through the speakers.
31:15The voice I thought
31:16I'd long buried
31:17in the past.
31:18It was deep.
31:20Rough around the edges.
31:21Carrying an exhaustion
31:22I couldn't quite place.
31:23And something that
31:25almost sounded like urgency.
31:27Allie.
31:33That single word
31:34pierced my ears.
31:36I clenched my hands
31:37against my knees.
31:39Fingernails digging
31:40deep 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 level
31:54classified base
31:54communication system.
31:57Do you have any idea
31:58what that means?
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
32:11I needed to see you.
32:13Or at least hear you.
32:14For the sake of those
32:15shady deals
32:16you've been running.
32:17Or to make things right
32:18for your beloved Madeline.
32:19I let icy mockery
32:21seep into my tone.
32:23The recording
32:24and those files.
32:26Did you enjoy them?
32:27Those.
32:28His voice turned rough.
32:29Fractured.
32:31I deserved
32:32every bit of that.
32:34But that's not why
32:36I'm reaching out 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 agony.
32:57Please don't be like this.
33:00I know I was wrong.
33:01I was ridiculously wrong.
33:04I've spent every day
33:05of the past three years
33:07repenting.
33:09I cut him off.
33:10The absurdity of it
33:11almost making me laugh.
33:14What good does that do?
33:15Can it bring Kelly back?
33:17Can it undo the choice
33:18you made that day?
33:19Can it make up for the fact
33:20that Beverly nearly killed me?
33:22Or whitewash those shady deals
33:24you built your empire on?
33:25My barrage of Keston
33:26left him trapped
33:28in a long silence.
33:29When he finally spoke again,
33:31his voice was utterly wrecked.
33:32about Kelly.
33:34I got to the bottom of it.
33:36It was Madeline.
33:38She loosened the screws
33:39on that old railing.
33:40Back then,
33:41I thought it was just an accident.
33:42I was afraid
33:43that if my family
33:44found out it was her,
33:45they'd deal with her,
33:46so I...
33:47So you made me
33:48the scapegoat?
33:50You let your mother
33:51and your entire family
33:52torture me
33:53like I was the one
33:53who killed my 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.
34:09I should probably applaud you.
34:11Do you have any idea
34:12what Beverly did that day?
34:14She 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.
34:22I warned her!
34:23His words came out rushed,
34:24desperate.
34:25Allie,
34:26I'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
34:38I'd suppressed
34:38surged up,
34:39cracking through
34:40my carefully constructed calm.
34:42Everett,
34:42nothing you do
34:42means anything to 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
34:52you chose to save
34:54Madeline
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
35:06uncontrollably,
35:07but I wiped them away
35:08instantly,
35:08my voice turning
35:09even colder,
35:10harder.
35:11You 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
35:27is not something
35:27you can touch.
35:29Those little games
35:30you've been playing,
35:32they've already
35:33caught the attention
35:34of people far above
35:35my pay grade.
35:36Keep going,
35:37and business sanctions
35:39will be the least
35:40of 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 were finished
35:48a long time ago.
35:50We were done
35:51the moment I left
35:52that company town
35:52and uploaded
35:53that recording.
35:56No, that'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,
36:29I won't hesitate
36:30to put you
36:30exactly where 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 chief
36:50stepped in,
36:51their expressions
36:51complicated.
36:53They clearly
36:53heard everything.
36:59What's the system?
37:03Vernon hesitated.
37:10The 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
37:26and conduct
37:26a full assessment
37:27of the base's security system.
37:32The 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 that
37:51somewhere 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.
37:57Along 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.
38:11No 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 back
38:30into Welcom's 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.
38:41Damon 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.
38:53We 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,
39:04I 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
39:19pull back.
39:19Until the night
39:20the storm came.
39:33A rare, violent tempest
39:35swept across the desert.
39:38Damon and I worked
39:39late into the night
39:40in the lab
39:41trying to dedock
39:42a critical energy relay algorithm.
39:44Lightning 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
40:12were still affected,
40:13including the lab's door locks.
40:21We were trapped inside.
40:25A 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.
40:55We had to wait
40:56where we were.
41:01The lab existed now
41:03in near-ness,
41:04illuminated by darkness,
41:07illuminated only
41:08by the emergency light's
41:09dim glow
41:10and the occasional
41:11flash of lightning.
41:13Damon and I sat side by side
41:14on the edge
41:15of a lab table.
41:16For a long moment,
41:18neither of us spoke.
41:21Mrs. Simpson.
41:22His voice emerged softly,
41:25almost swallowed
41:25by the dim space
41:26and the thunder.
41:28Have you ever thought
41:28about what you'll do
41:29after Well and Shield
41:30is completely finished?
41:33The question
41:34caught me off guard.
41:35No.
41:36I admitted honestly,
41:38doing my job well
41:39right now,
41:40that's enough for me.
41:41I fell silent
41:42for a moment
41:43and turned
41:43to look at me.
41:53to look at me.
41:55I'll go see the ocean.
42:00The real one.
42:04I want to know
42:05what it feels like
42:06to be surrounded
42:08by seawater.
42:13Is it really true
42:14what they say?
42:15That it can wash away
42:16your troubles?
42:21Um.
42:25It will.
42:27I said
42:28to only Dake 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.
42:39I froze,
42:41unsure how to answer.
42:43A brilliant flash of lightning
42:44illuminated the entire lab.
42:47In that stark,
42:49momentary light,
42:49I saw it clearly.
42:51The affection
42:52and anticipation
42:53in his eyes.
42:54There for me to read
42:55before he could conceal it.
43:00I stood abruptly
43:02and walked
43:02to the large
43:03observation window.
43:04In the distance,
43:06pale streaks of dawn
43:08pushing through
43:08the dark-nate darkness
43:09that had held us all night.
43:11I gazed eastward
43:12as the sky brightened.
43:13Darkness
43:14would soon be gone.
43:16Above me,
43:17the stars
43:18and the sky,
43:19the ones I had sworn
43:21to guard,
43:22were embracing
43:23a new dawn.
43:25I didn't turn around,
43:26but my fingers,
43:27which had been clenched
43:28tight at my sides,
43:30slowly uncurled.
43:36And just barely,
43:38they brushed against
43:39the hand Damon
43:40had rested
43:40on the windowsill
43:41beside 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 could be.
43:59going on up there.
44:00Bye.
44:00Bye.
44:01Bye.
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