- 3 minutes ago
خيانة بيضاء
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Short filmTranscript
00:02نعم
00:30أرورا يسلسل. لا تصدقها.
00:32دامين لم ينظر إلى.
00:34فقط تجربة الوصول.
00:37دامين، تجربة أرورا ونزل من الوصول.
00:40ما؟ دامين، نحن نحن.
00:43نحن نحن نحن.
00:44لكنها ستجربة بيارة بدأتها.
00:47لا! أردت من ذلك جميعاً!
00:50إنها تجربة!
00:52تجربة!
00:52تجربة!
00:53تجربة!
00:54ميرا يسلسلها.
00:55سيكون هناك في 30 منتظر.
00:57تجربة هنا.
00:58I held my three-year-old daughter and watched him drive away.
01:03The taillights faded into the snow until they were gone.
01:07Mommy, where's Daddy?
01:10Aurora whispered.
01:11Her biometric wristband began to pulse with a yellow warning light.
01:16Daddy, went to Grandma's first. Auntie Mira is coming to get us.
01:22I hit the dial for a video call to Tina.
01:29Clara?
01:30Her background was a chaotic blur of noise and pulsing neon.
01:34She was at a party.
01:36Mira, Damien told you to pick us up. Where are you?
01:40Just wait. I'll come later.
01:42Mira, it's freezing!
01:44Aurora can't stay out here!
01:46My brother said Celeste and Briar can't be out in the cold.
01:49They had to get home.
01:50You're just waiting. It's not like you'll die.
01:53Aurora shivered in my arms.
01:55Mommy, I want to go home.
01:59Soon, baby. We'll be home very soon.
02:03My heart broke.
02:04After four years of marriage, I never knew Damien could be this cruel.
02:09To dump his wife and child on a highway because another woman's kid called us dirty.
02:15Suddenly, headlights appeared.
02:17I waved like crazy.
02:20A black SUV pulled over.
02:23A black SUV pulled over.
02:28Need a hand?
02:30Please, can you give us a ride to the next service station?
02:33Get in.
02:34I reached for the door, but then a voice stopped me.
02:37Clara?
02:38It was Felix, Damien's father.
02:41What are you doing here? Where's my brother?
02:43I quickly told him everything.
02:46Felix's face turned pale with rage.
02:49Is he insane?
02:51He left you and Aurora here?
02:53So Celeste's daughter matters.
02:55But his own doesn't?
02:57Owen, let them in.
02:58We'll squeeze.
02:59But the car was full.
03:01There's no room.
03:02The driver said, looking worried.
03:04You guys go. I'll wait here.
03:07Felix pushed me toward the seat.
03:11Aurora's face is turning purple.
03:13She can't stay in the cold another second.
03:16Felix, it's freezing out there.
03:19What about you?
03:21I'm a grown man.
03:22I can handle a little cold.
03:23Take care of the kid first.
03:25Just go.
03:26The car started.
03:27I looked through the back window.
03:30Felix stood there alone in the blizzard.
03:32His figure grew smaller and smaller.
03:36Aurora fell asleep in my arms.
03:38But her face was a terrifying shade of red.
03:43Sir, can you go any faster?
03:45My daughter has a fever.
03:46The driver nodded and stepped on the gas.
03:49I tried to call Mira again.
03:51No signal.
03:53How much longer to the service station?
03:5520 kilometers.
03:57In this weather, at least 30 minutes.
04:02I held Aurora tighter.
04:03She was getting hotter by the second.
04:06She opened her eyes weakly.
04:08Suddenly, she started coughing.
04:11Her face turned a deep, sickly purple.
04:14Please! Please go faster!
04:17I'm trying!
04:18This is as fast as it goes!
04:20The roads are pure ice!
04:22I unzipped Aurora's coat.
04:24Her chest was heaving.
04:26Aurora, look at mommy.
04:28Don't close your eyes.
04:31I'll tell you a story.
04:33About the little rabbit.
04:35I began pounding on the car window like a mad woman.
04:39Help!
04:40My daughter is dying!
04:42Somebody help us!
04:45But on the highway,
04:47there was nothing but wind and snow.
04:52Finally, the car pulled into a service station.
05:00Is there a doctor?
05:01My daughter is dying!
05:03Help us!
05:04The clerk froze.
05:06There's no doctor here.
05:07Call one!
05:08Now!
05:09The signal tower was destroyed by the blizzard.
05:12We can't get a call out.
05:13My legs gave out.
05:15I almost collapsed.
05:17The shop owner searched through the back and found some medicine.
05:22Try this.
05:24Aurora lay on my lap.
05:26Her breath was so faint, it felt like it could snap at any second.
05:31I tried to feed her, but she didn't even have the strength to swallow.
05:36The owner couldn't watch anymore.
05:39I'll drive you to the nearest clinic.
05:42But the roads might be blocked.
05:45Go!
05:46We have to go now!
05:47The car crawled through the deep snow.
05:50With every bump, Aurora's body grew limp.
05:54Aurora, you said you wanted to see the northern lights, remember?
05:57Mommy will take you.
06:00We'll take the fastest train, all the way to the Arctic Circle.
06:05Her eyelashes fluttered, but she never opened her eyes.
06:11Suddenly, my watch vibrated.
06:13Signal!
06:14With trembling hands, I dialed Damien's video call.
06:18It rang for a long time.
06:21Finally, he picked up.
06:23Hello?
06:24The background was quiet.
06:26Damien!
06:28Aurora is sick.
06:29It's bad.
06:30Really bad.
06:31Where are you?
06:32On the way to a clinic.
06:34Please.
06:35You have to come.
06:36Didn't Mira pick you up yet?
06:41She didn't come!
06:42She never showed up!
06:44Possible.
06:45She just posted an update saying she's on her way.
06:47I opened the hologram projection on my watch.
06:50Mira's latest post from ten minutes ago.
06:53The location tag was at exit 87 on the interstate.
06:58112 kilometers away from us.
07:01She hadn't moved an inch.
07:03She was lying to you.
07:05And she was lying to me!
07:07Mira will be there soon.
07:09Just wait a little longer.
07:11Wait!
07:12We can't!
07:13Rora is dying!
07:14Our daughter is dying, Damien!
07:18Clara, it's Christmas Eve.
07:20Don't say such unlucky things.
07:21No one is dying.
07:23Celesta and Briar just arrived.
07:25And my mom is very happy.
07:27Don't ruin the mood.
07:28Just go to the hospital when Mira gets there.
07:30Kids get fevers all the time.
07:32She's not going to die.
07:33He hung up.
07:34As the projection faded, my blood turned to ice.
07:38The shop owner looked at me through the rearview mirror.
07:41Your husband?
07:42I nodded.
07:45Scumbag.
07:47Hang on tight.
07:48I'm taking a shortcut.
07:53We're not letting this baby die.
07:56The car turned onto a mountain road.
07:59Aurora's breathing was almost gone.
08:01I checked her heartbeat.
08:02It was so weak it felt like an illusion.
08:05I pulled a button-sized communicator from my inner pocket.
08:09My father had given it to me.
08:11He said that once I pressed it,
08:14his people would arrive within three hours.
08:18Finally, we reached the nearest medical station.
08:21I burst into the emergency room, clutching Aurora.
08:27Acute pneumonia!
08:32Heart rate is dropping!
08:34Prepare for recitation!
08:35I was stopped outside the emergency room.
08:38Through the glass,
08:40I watched the doctors intubate Aurora
08:42and hook her up to the monitors.
08:45She looked like she could vanish at any second.
08:48I collapsed in the corner, shaking.
08:51My watch rang again.
08:55Clara, where are you?
08:56My mom is waiting for dinner.
08:58I struggled to find my voice.
09:00The clinic?
09:02Aurora is being resuscitated.
09:05What?
09:06Why are you at a clinic?
09:07Where's Mira?
09:08She never came.
09:10Impossible.
09:11She just messaged me saying she picked you up.
09:13He sent me a screenshot.
09:15It was a blurry photo from 20 minutes ago.
09:18In the passenger seat was a woman's back,
09:21wearing a jacket just like mine.
09:23She's lying, Damien.
09:25Come to the clinic.
09:26Now.
09:27Are you lying just because you're jealous of Celeste?
09:30Daughter is still being resuscitated?
09:32And you think this is jealous?
09:34What else?
09:35Why would Mira need to lie to me?
09:37Damien, if Aurora dies today,
09:39I will never forgive you as long as I live.
09:42Whatever, Clara.
09:43That's your choice.
09:45The call disconnected.
09:47I listened to the dial tone and slowly slid down to the floor.
09:51The ER doors swung open.
09:53We saved her, but she was deprived of oxygen for too long.
09:57There's significant brain damage.
09:58It could affect her cognitive development.
10:01She might even face permanent paralysis.
10:03I leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing.
10:07How is that possible?
10:10She's so small.
10:12She's just a baby.
10:15We did our best.
10:16You need to admit her now.
10:18The follow-up treatments won't be cheap.
10:20I walked to the payment kiosk,
10:22moving like a ghost.
10:24I tapped my wrist against the sensor.
10:26Insufficient funds.
10:28Damien only gave me $3,000 a month,
10:31claiming it was more than enough for a child.
10:33I called him,
10:35my hands trembling.
10:37Aurora needs surgery.
10:39I need $50,000.
10:40$50,000?
10:43Clara, do I look like an ATM to you?
10:46Damien, she is your daughter!
10:48Are you going to transfer the money or not?
10:50No.
10:51If you're so capable, earn it yourself.
10:53After Christmas, we're filing for divorce.
10:56The house is mine.
10:57You didn't put a cent in, so you get nothing.
11:00I stood there,
11:02staring at the clerk through the glass.
11:05Can you start the treatment first?
11:07I'll pay you back.
11:09I promise.
11:10I'm sorry.
11:11Facility policy,
11:13no deposit,
11:13no admission.
11:15I walked out of the clinic
11:17and stood in the freezing snow.
11:19My hologram flared to life.
11:22It was Felix.
11:24Clara!
11:25Where are you?
11:26Damien said Mira picked you guys up.
11:28Felix, do me a favor.
11:30If anything happens to me,
11:33take care of Aurora.
11:34What are you talking about?
11:35I have no money.
11:37Aurora has no hope.
11:38I can't keep her either.
11:40Just put her in the adoption system.
11:42At least she'll live.
11:43Clara, don't do anything reckless.
11:45Where are you?
11:45I'm coming now.
11:46Don't bother.
11:47I cut the connection
11:48and killed the hologram.
11:50I walked back to the ward.
11:52I'm sorry, baby,
11:53in the next life.
11:54Don't be mine.
11:56The clinic roof
11:57was a blur of wind and snow.
12:00From the edge,
12:01the world below looked tiny.
12:03One step,
12:04and the pain would finally end.
12:06I closed my eyes
12:07and let myself fall forward.
12:10Suddenly,
12:10a hand gripped my wrist.
12:13Suddenly,
12:13a hand gripped my wrist.
12:15A violent tug pulled me back.
12:17I collapsed onto the ground
12:18and looked up.
12:19Several men in black suits
12:21stood before me.
12:22Their leader,
12:22a man in his 50s,
12:23removed his sunglasses.
12:25His eyes were bloodshot.
12:27Clara.
12:29Dad.
12:30I was rushed
12:31onto a medical transport pod.
12:33Aurora was carried in
12:34right behind me
12:35immediately taken over
12:36by a team of flight medics.
12:38Intracranial pressure
12:39is spiking.
12:40We need to operate now.
12:42Contact the main hospital.
12:43Open the neurosurgery
12:45green channel.
12:46Put the nano repair team
12:47on standby.
12:48My father held my hand,
12:49his own trembling
12:50uncontrollably.
12:51I'm sorry, Clara.
12:53Dad was too late.
12:54I'm so sorry.
12:56Dad,
12:57I thought you were just a
12:59farmer back in the village.
13:01He faltered,
13:02a bitter smile
13:03touching his lips.
13:06A farmer.
13:07That was a lie.
13:09You were so determined
13:10to marry Damien.
13:11I was afraid
13:12that if he knew
13:13we were wealthy,
13:14he'd only marry you
13:15for the money.
13:16So,
13:17I played poor
13:18for four years.
13:20I thought as long
13:21as he treated you well,
13:22it didn't matter
13:23if we lived simply.
13:24He looked at the
13:25unconscious Aurora,
13:27tears finally falling.
13:28But I never imagined,
13:29I never imagined
13:31they could be this heartless
13:32to abuse my granddaughter
13:33like this.
13:35Medical transport pod
13:36landed on the roof
13:37of Whitfield Medical Center.
13:38Aurora was rushed
13:39straight into surgery.
13:41The best specialist,
13:42the cutting edge equipment,
13:43everything was ready.
13:44My father stood outside
13:46the operating room
13:47and dialed
13:47an encrypted channel.
13:49Vance Group,
13:50I want to see their stock
13:51hit rock bottom
13:52before the market
13:52opens tomorrow.
13:54Terminate all partnerships,
13:55everything.
13:57And the banks,
13:59you know what to do.
14:01He hung up
14:02and sat beside me.
14:03Clara,
14:03I'm giving you
14:04two choices.
14:05First,
14:06divorce him,
14:08take the money
14:09and take Aurora abroad.
14:12Never look back.
14:15Second,
14:16stay.
14:17Watch the Vance family
14:20crumble.
14:22Watch Damien
14:23crawl to his knees
14:24and beg for your mercy.
14:26I thought for a moment.
14:27The second one.
14:29But I have one condition.
14:32Name it.
14:33Prepare two bionic decoys,
14:35one identical to me
14:37and one identical to Aurora.
14:40Make them look like
14:41they froze to death
14:42on the side of the highway.
14:43dress them in the clothes
14:45we wore today
14:45and put her bio-band
14:47on the decoy.
14:48You wanna?
14:51I want them
14:52to think I'm dead.
14:55Then,
14:56I want to see
14:56exactly how they celebrate.
14:58I want to watch them
14:59throw a party
15:00while Aurora
15:01and I
15:02are dead.
15:03My father remained silent
15:05for a long time
15:05before nodding.
15:06Fine.
15:08The bionic decoys
15:09were incredibly lifelike.
15:11One large,
15:12one small,
15:13lying in the snow
15:14on the highway.
15:15When found,
15:15they were already
15:16frozen solid.
15:17An automated road patrol drone
15:19discovered them
15:20and flagged
15:21the nearest highway patrol.
15:22Based on the ID
15:23found on the body,
15:24the police contacted Damien.
15:26The call came through
15:27while the Vance family
15:28was having Christmas dinner.
15:29The table was overflowing
15:31with food
15:31filled with laughter.
15:33Celeste sat next to Damien
15:35putting food on his plate.
15:36Priscilla beamed
15:37stroking Briar's hair.
15:38Celeste is so much better.
15:40Even the daughter
15:40she raised
15:41are well behaved.
15:42Unlike that brat
15:44Clara had.
15:45Always crying,
15:46never obedient.
15:47An absolute nuisance.
15:49Damien's wrist vibrated.
15:50He glanced at it
15:51frowning.
15:52The police?
15:55Hello?
15:56Is this Mr. Damien Vance?
15:58Is your wife Clara
15:59currently on the highway
16:01with your daughter?
16:01Yes, why?
16:03We found two bodies
16:04by the roadside.
16:05Preliminary assessment
16:06suggests they froze to death.
16:08The female victim
16:09has an ID card
16:10identifying her as Clara.
16:12There is also a female child
16:14approximately three years old.
16:16We need you to come
16:16and identify them.
16:18What did you say?
16:19Sir,
16:20your wife and daughter.
16:21They didn't make it.
16:23The dinner table fell silent.
16:24Priscilla asked,
16:26Who is it?
16:27Calling during the holidays.
16:28it's bad luck.
16:29Damien stood up,
16:30his face pale.
16:31Claire and Aurora
16:34froze to death?
16:35By the time Damien
16:36reached the morgue,
16:37his legs were like jelly.
16:38The police led him
16:39into the cold storage room.
16:41The drawer pulled open,
16:43revealing two bodies,
16:44one large,
16:45one small.
16:46Is it them?
16:47Damien opened his mouth,
16:48but no sound came out.
16:49He reached out,
16:50wanting to touch my face,
16:52his hand shaking violently.
16:53It's impossible.
16:56Mira said she went
16:57to pick them up.
16:58The officer pulled up
16:59the records on his terminal.
17:01We checked the automated
17:02highway patrol logs.
17:04Your sister's car
17:05never even entered
17:06the highway.
17:06She drove in circles
17:07around the city
17:08before heading home.
17:10Furthermore,
17:11the victim's final
17:12outgoing call
17:13was to you.
17:15It was at 7pm
17:16last night.
17:17She told you the child
17:18was sick
17:19and begged for help.
17:20You said,
17:21you said,
17:22if you're so capable,
17:24earn it yourself.
17:25I thought,
17:26I thought she was lying.
17:28I,
17:29I didn't know
17:30she was actually.
17:32And if you had known,
17:34would you have gone?
17:35There was a heavy silence.
17:37Damien had no answer.
17:38The morgue doors
17:39swung open
17:40as Priscilla burst in.
17:41She froze for a moment
17:43upon seeing the bodies
17:44then collapsed
17:44onto the floor,
17:45wailing and
17:46slapping her thighs.
17:47Oh, my granddaughter,
17:49my poor baby.
17:51How could you
17:51leave me like this?
17:52After a few cries,
17:54she abruptly stopped
17:54and grabbed Damien.
17:55Son,
17:56this is actually
17:57a good thing.
17:58It's a blessing
17:58in disguise.
17:59Now that Clara's dead,
18:00you can finally
18:01marry Celesta.
18:02Mom,
18:03that was my daughter.
18:04So what if she
18:05was your daughter?
18:06She's dead now.
18:07This is perfect.
18:08Now we don't have to worry
18:09about splitting the assets
18:10in a divorce.
18:11Ma'am,
18:11these are two human lives
18:12we're talking about.
18:13What about them?
18:14This is family business.
18:15It's none of your concern.
18:16Let's go.
18:17Celesta's still waiting
18:18for us to finish dinner.
18:20Damien allowed himself
18:21to be pulled away
18:21for a moment.
18:22Then he looked back
18:24at the cold storage unit.
18:25Wait.
18:26He shook off
18:27his mother's hand
18:28and walked back.
18:29He knelt beside
18:30the bodies for a long time.
18:31Then he reached out,
18:33gently smoothing the hair
18:34and straightening
18:34the clothes on the decoy.
18:46Clara,
18:47for her own fault
18:48for having such a short life.
18:49She deserved it.
18:50Shut up!
18:52Damien stood up
18:53and addressed the officer.
18:55I'm taking the bodies back.
18:57I'm going to hold
18:58a grand funeral.
18:59Two flickering lamps
19:00stood by the Vance
19:01estate entrance.
19:02The viewing room
19:03was in the side hall,
19:04right next to the room
19:05I lived in before.
19:07Celeste and Briar
19:08had already moved
19:09into the master suite.
19:10The whole house
19:11was busy catering to them,
19:12but Damien...
19:13He sat in the viewing room,
19:15guarding the caskets.
19:16Two cryo caskets
19:17side by side,
19:18cold and silent.
19:19Mira showed up once.
19:21He kicked her out.
19:22Get out.
19:23Damien,
19:23I didn't mean it.
19:25I was just out with friends
19:27and lost track of time.
19:29Damien looked at her,
19:31his eyes bloodshot with rage.
19:32How was I supposed to know
19:33they would actually die?
19:35You lost track of time?
19:37Two lives are gone
19:38and you think
19:39losing track of time
19:40fixes it?
19:40Then what do you want from me?
19:42You want me to die for her?
19:44is she even worth it?
19:46She was just a low-class woman.
19:48She's gone, so what?
19:50Damien struck her hard.
19:51Mira froze in shock.
19:53Get out!
19:54If I ever see your face again,
19:56you are no longer my sister.
19:58Then Celeste arrived.
19:59Damien, please.
20:00Let it go.
20:02I'm sure she wouldn't want
20:03to see you like this
20:04from the other side.
20:05Damien looked up at her,
20:06cold as ice.
20:07Do you know what they were doing
20:08while you were celebrating?
20:10I was at your house
20:11having dinner.
20:15They were in the snow
20:16waiting to die.
20:20Waiting for someone
20:21who was never coming
20:22to save them.
20:23Celeste turned pale.
20:24That was your sister's fault!
20:26What does that have to do
20:26with me?
20:27With me!
20:28Your mother was the one
20:29who insisted I come back
20:30for Christmas.
20:30I wouldn't have gone
20:31through the trouble
20:32of traveling for the holidays
20:33if it wasn't for her!
20:35And besides,
20:35you're the one
20:36who kicked them out
20:36of the car!
20:37Right.
20:37You went through
20:38so much trouble,
20:39but they froze to death.
20:41They literally froze to death.
20:42Celeste went silent.
20:44Damien stood up
20:45and walked to the cryo casket,
20:46gently brushing his hand
20:47against the coal glass.
20:49I keep thinking,
20:50what if I had just
20:51answered that video call?
20:53What if I had gone
20:54to pick them up?
20:55What if I hadn't
20:56said those things?
20:57Celeste bit her lip
20:58and turned to leave.
20:59Damien, don't forget,
21:00I'm the one carrying
21:01the family heir now.
21:02That dead woman?
21:04She's useless now.
21:05The heavy doors
21:06of the viewing room
21:07clicked shut.
21:08Damien collapsed,
21:09sliding down against
21:10the side of the casket
21:11until he hit the floor.
21:13On the surveillance feed,
21:14I watched his shoulders shake.
21:15How pathetic.
21:17He didn't care
21:18when we were breathing.
21:19Now that we're dead,
21:20he acts like he has a heart.
21:21I raised my wrist
21:22and sent an encrypted message
21:24to my father.
21:24Can we start?
21:25My father's reply
21:26popped up instantly.
21:27Anytime.
21:28The Vance Group's empire
21:29began to collapse.
21:31First,
21:32their biggest client
21:32abruptly canceled
21:33their contract,
21:34jumping ship
21:35to sign a 10-year deal
21:36with a rival.
21:37Then,
21:38the banks pulled
21:38their credit lines,
21:39snapping the company's
21:40financial backbone.
21:42Suppliers swarmed
21:43the headquarters
21:44demanding payment
21:45all at once.
21:46Damien was drowning.
21:47He started sleeping
21:48at the office every night.
21:50Priscilla screamed at him
21:51through the comms.
21:52You're never home.
21:54What if Celeste gets upset?
21:56The company is dying.
21:58Do you even understand?
21:59So what if it is?
22:01We have plenty of money.
22:03Mom,
22:03we're about to be bankrupt.
22:04The house,
22:05the cars,
22:05the accounts,
22:06it's all being liquidated
22:07to pay the debt.
22:08Soon,
22:08you might not even be able
22:09to afford a meal.
22:10That's impossible.
22:11Is it?
22:12Damien cut the transmission.
22:14He sat in his office,
22:16staring out the window
22:16at the skyline.
22:18Everything he had built
22:19over the last 10 years
22:20gone overnight.
22:22Suddenly,
22:23his wristband vibrated.
22:24An encrypted string of numbers
22:25flashed on the display.
22:26No hologram.
22:27No ID.
22:31A man's voice
22:32came through the comms.
22:33Mr. Vance.
22:35did you receive my gift?
22:38Who is this?
22:39You don't need to know
22:41who I am.
22:42You just need to know
22:43that this is only the beginning.
22:45The debt you owe
22:46will be paid
22:48with the entire Vance Group.
22:50The connection cut to static.
22:52Damien tried to dial back,
22:53but a gray notification
22:54flashed on his terminal.
22:56The ID you are trying to reach
22:58does not exist.
22:59His hand began to shake
23:01as he gripped the device.
23:02Vance Group officially entered
23:04bankruptcy liquidation.
23:06The estate,
23:07the cars,
23:08every single asset
23:09was auctioned off.
23:10Priscilla was forced out
23:11of the mansion
23:11and into a cramped rental unit.
23:14Celeste took Briar and left,
23:16clutching the last bit
23:17of credits she could scavenge.
23:18I can't suffer with you.
23:20Damien,
23:20Briar has her schooling
23:21to think about.
23:24Damien moved
23:25into the small side wing
23:26where the caskets were kept.
23:27He had managed
23:28to keep the cryo units.
23:29He spread a blanket
23:30on the floor
23:31and slept right there
23:32beside them.
23:33Mira came to find him once.
23:35You've thrown away
23:36the entire family empire
23:37for a dead woman!
23:39How can you do this to Mom?
23:41Then who is going to make
23:42things right for Clara?
23:44Damien looked at her,
23:45his voice a ghost
23:46of its former self.
23:48Who is going to make it
23:49right for Aurora?
23:50Mira never came back.
23:52Damien started looking
23:53for work.
23:54But in this city,
23:55the reputation
23:55of a bankrupt CEO
23:57spreads faster than a virus.
23:58No one would hire him.
24:00He ended up
24:00at a construction site
24:01in the Old District,
24:02$200 a day,
24:04working until his back
24:05felt like it would snap.
24:06At night,
24:07he'd return to the viewing room
24:08and eat cheap bread
24:09from a convenience store.
24:10Then he'd sit by the caskets
24:11and talk to himself.
24:12Clara,
24:13the foreman yelled at me today,
24:16said I was weak,
24:17said I didn't work
24:18like a real man.
24:21I remembered
24:22how you used to tell me
24:23to slow down,
24:24but my health
24:25was more important.
24:26I thought you were
24:27just nagging,
24:29nagging back then.
24:32Now I realize
24:35you were the only one
24:36who actually cared about me.
24:38He pulled out
24:39a crumpled cigarette
24:40and lit it.
24:41If Aurora were still here,
24:42she'd be starting
24:43preschool about now.
24:44Clara,
24:45you always said
24:46you wanted her
24:46to take piano lessons.
24:49I told you
24:50it was a waste of money.
24:51I'm such a scumbag.
24:52The cigarette
24:53burned down to his fingers,
24:54but he didn't even feel it.
24:55In the surveillance room,
24:57my father looked at me.
24:59Have you seen enough?
25:00I shook my head.
25:01No,
25:02I've seen enough.
25:03Get everything ready.
25:05I'm going back
25:05to the company next week.
25:07You're taking over?
25:08Yes.
25:09The Vance group
25:10has fallen.
25:11My debt is settled.
25:13It's time to start
25:14my own life now.
25:14My father nodded.
25:16Fine,
25:16but there's one thing
25:17you should know.
25:18What is it?
25:20Damien is looking for you.
25:21It looks like he figured out
25:22the android double
25:23was a fake.
25:24And Damien had.
25:25While going through
25:26my remains,
25:27he found something
25:27that didn't add up.
25:29Tucked inside the pocket
25:30of my old winter coat
25:31was a crumpled store receipt.
25:32The date on it
25:33was three days
25:34after I had supposedly died.
25:36It was for a strawberry
25:37shortcake,
25:38Aurora's favorite.
25:39Dead people
25:40don't buy cake.
25:42Damien stared at the receipt,
25:43his hands trembling violently.
25:45I was the one
25:46who made sure he found it.
25:47He went straight
25:48to that bakery
25:48to check the security footage.
25:50On the screen,
25:51a woman in a mask
25:52was holding
25:52a little girl's hand.
25:53Even with her face covered,
25:55that silhouette,
25:56that walk,
25:57it was Clara and Aurora.
25:59Damien sprinted
26:00out of the store
26:00like a madman.
26:02He went everywhere
26:03we used to go.
26:04The parks,
26:04the malls,
26:05the playgrounds.
26:06Finally,
26:07outside a private preschool,
26:08he saw Aurora.
26:09She was wearing
26:10a pink dress
26:11with her hair
26:11and pigtails.
26:12A man in a suit
26:13was holding her hand,
26:14leading her toward a car.
26:16Aurora!
26:17Aurora froze
26:18and immediately
26:19hid behind the man
26:20in the suit.
26:20Damien tried to grab her,
26:21but the man blocked him.
26:23Sir,
26:23what are you doing?
26:24That's my daughter!
26:25Where's Clara?
26:27Where's her mother?
26:28I don't know
26:29anyone named Clara.
26:30This is my employer's daughter.
26:32Move aside.
26:33Damien didn't believe him.
26:34He reached out
26:35to pull Aurora toward him.
26:36Suddenly,
26:37Aurora burst into tears.
26:39Batman!
26:40You're a bad man!
26:41You made Mommy cry!
26:43Damien went stiff.
26:45Aurora,
26:46I'm your daddy.
26:48No,
26:48you're not!
26:50My daddy is dead!
26:53Mommy said so!
26:54She said he didn't want us
26:56and now he's dead!
26:59Damien looked like
27:00he'd been struck by lightning.
27:02Just then,
27:03a sleek black sedan
27:04pulled up to the curb.
27:05The window rolled down slowly.
27:07I sat in the backseat
27:08watching them.
27:10Long time no see,
27:11Damien.
27:11Damien turned.
27:12When he saw me,
27:13his pupils blown wide
27:14with shock.
27:15Clara!
27:16You really...
27:17You're not dead!
27:18I stepped out of the car,
27:20walked over to Aurora
27:21and swept her into my arms.
27:22No thanks to you,
27:23I'm still breathing.
27:25Mommy!
27:26That scary man
27:27tried to grab me!
27:28It's okay, baby.
27:29Mommy's here.
27:31You played me.
27:33You lied to me
27:34this whole time.
27:35I did.
27:36The android double
27:37was a fake.
27:38My death was a setup.
27:40How else was I supposed
27:41to make you feel
27:42what it's like
27:43to lose everything?
27:44How could you be so cruel?
27:46Cruel?
27:47Damien,
27:47were you cruel
27:48when you kicked your wife
27:49and daughter
27:49out onto the highway
27:50in a blizzard?
27:51Were you cruel
27:51when you refused
27:52to pay for her medical bills?
27:54Damien opened his mouth
27:55but no sound came out.
27:57The black sedan's engine
27:58hummed softly.
28:00Holding Aurora in my arms,
28:01I turned to get
28:03into the car.
28:04Damien suddenly
28:04lunged at us
28:05like a madman.
28:06Clara,
28:07don't go.
28:08Please.
28:09I know I was wrong.
28:10I really know
28:11I was wrong.
28:12Just give me
28:12one more chance.
28:13I'll make it up to you.
28:15I'll be a good father.
28:16A good husband.
28:18Bad man.
28:20Don't want bad man.
28:22A chance?
28:23When you abandoned us
28:25on the highway
28:25in minus five degrees,
28:27did you give us a chance?
28:29When your daughter
28:30was fighting for her life
28:31and you refused
28:32to pay a single cent,
28:33did you give us a chance?
28:37I raised my hand
28:38and signaled the driver.
28:40Drive the car.
28:41The driver stepped
28:42on the gas immediately.
28:43Damien was dragged
28:44forward two steps.
28:45Clara!
28:46I'll find you.
28:47I swear I'll find you both.
28:50Through the rearview mirror,
28:51I gave him one last glance,
28:53like looking at a bug
28:55that had been
28:55completely crushed.
28:58Three days later,
29:00in the top floor office
29:01of Whitfield Group,
29:02the entire wall
29:04is covered
29:04in holographic screens,
29:06blasting breaking news
29:08from all over the city.
29:10My dad sits
29:11in his leather chair,
29:12tapping his fingers
29:13on the desk.
29:15He's still looking for you.
29:17I set my glass down
29:18and slide a legal document
29:20across the desk to him.
29:21Custody lawsuit.
29:23Plaintiff.
29:24Clara Whitfield.
29:25Defendant.
29:26Damien Vance.
29:27I'm going to make him
29:28admit every single one
29:29of his crimes
29:30in open court.
29:31I'm going to make sure
29:32he legally loses the right
29:33to ever get close
29:34to Aurora again.
29:35I want the whole world
29:36to see what a piece
29:37of trash he really is.
29:40My girl,
29:41you've finally grown up.
29:43Suddenly,
29:44my smart band flashes
29:45a bright red emergency light.
29:47It's Felix.
29:49I answer it,
29:50my heart dropping.
29:51His voice is shaking,
29:53completely panicked.
29:54Clara,
29:55grab Aurora
29:56and run right now.
29:58Damien has lost his mind.
30:00He found out
30:00where you live.
30:03Outside the villa gates,
30:05Damien clutched
30:06a printed sheet
30:07with an address on it
30:08in his hand.
30:09I want to see my daughter.
30:10She's my daughter.
30:13Sir,
30:13this is private property.
30:15No one enters
30:16without permission.
30:17Get out of my way!
30:18That's my child!
30:19I have the right
30:20to see her!
30:20He violently shoved
30:22the guard aside
30:23and charged
30:23toward the villa.
30:25Clara!
30:26Open the door!
30:28I know you're in there!
30:29Aurora!
30:30Daddy's here!
30:31Daddy's here
30:31to take you home!
30:33The door slowly opened,
30:34but it wasn't me.
30:36Let go of me!
30:37What right
30:38do you have to touch me?
30:39Upstairs,
30:40I stood by the
30:40floor-to-ceiling window
30:42with Aurora in my arms,
30:43my father beside me.
30:46Sunlight spilled
30:47across my body,
30:48warm,
30:49bright,
30:50untouchable.
30:50still struggling,
30:53Damien looked up.
30:54The moment he saw me,
30:56he froze.
30:56Aurora,
30:57remember this.
30:59This man is not
31:00your father.
31:01He's just a stranger
31:02who tried to hurt you
31:03and mommy.
31:04Stranger!
31:05Bad man!
31:08One week later,
31:10the Supreme Court.
31:11The courtroom is packed
31:13for the public trial.
31:14Damien stands
31:15in the defendant's box.
31:17His hair has gone gray.
31:18He looks like he aged
31:20ten years overnight.
31:21At the plaintiff's table,
31:23I sat calmly
31:24in a simple,
31:25tailored suit,
31:26composed and unshaken.
31:28My lawyer presents
31:29all the evidence,
31:30piece by piece.
31:32Highway security footage.
31:34Proof that he kicked
31:35his own wife and daughter
31:37out of the car.
31:38Phone records.
31:39proof that he blocked
31:41my calls
31:41and refused to pay
31:43for emergency medical bills.
31:44Damien,
31:44she is your daughter!
31:46Are you going to transfer
31:47the money or not?
31:48No.
31:49The judge bangs the gavel.
31:51Defendant Damien Vance,
31:52how do you plead
31:53to these charges?
31:54Damien looks up at me.
31:55I...
31:56I plead guilty.
32:00I ruined my own family.
32:02I'm so sorry.
32:03The judge bangs the gavel again
32:05to deliver the verdict.
32:07Damien Vance
32:08is permanently stripped
32:09of all custody
32:10and visitation rights
32:11for Aurora Whitsfield.
32:13A lifetime restraining order
32:14is issued.
32:15Damien Vance
32:16must pay full child support
32:17until Aurora is an adult,
32:19along with massive emotional damages
32:21and medical bills.
32:22For child abandonment
32:23and endangering a minor,
32:25Damien Vance
32:25is sentenced
32:26to community service
32:27and will be permanently blacklisted
32:28on all financial
32:29and social credits.
32:30The final gavel falls.
32:33I stand up,
32:34take Aurora's hand
32:35and turn my back on him.
32:37We walk out of the courtroom
32:39and the sunlight
32:40covers us both.
32:44Three months later,
32:46the Aurora Express
32:47Arctic Circle.
32:49I'm sitting by the window
32:51holding Aurora in my arms.
32:53Outside,
32:54the green northern lights
32:56cover the entire night sky
32:58like a flowing river of stars.
33:00She looks healthy,
33:02bright,
33:03and her eyes are sparkling.
33:05Mommy, look!
33:06The lights are so pretty!
33:08Yeah, baby.
33:10Mommy brought you here
33:11to see them.
33:12And we're going to come back
33:13every single year.
33:16Mommy,
33:17will that bad man
33:19ever come back?
33:21Never again.
33:23Starting today,
33:24nobody can ever hurt you.
33:27Mommy will protect you forever.
33:29My smart band lights up
33:31with a soft chime.
33:33It's a text from my dad.
33:35All remaining Vance Group assets
33:37have been merged into Whitfield.
33:39Damien is stuck breaking his back
33:41on a construction site
33:42to his debts he's completely finished.
33:44Celise, Mira, and Priscilla
33:46are all broke
33:46and hate each other now.
33:48Welcome home,
33:49my little princess.
33:50I shut off the screen.
33:52The northern lights
33:53dance outside the window.
33:55Aurora falls fast asleep
33:57in my arms,
33:58safe and sound.
34:00I look out into the night
34:02and speak softly
34:03under my breath.
34:04Damien, look at us now.
34:06Everything you threw away,
34:08I took it all back.
34:09Everything you destroyed,
34:10I rebuilt it all.
34:12Everything you owed us,
34:13you'll spend the rest
34:14of your life paying for it.
34:16And me and Aurora,
34:17we are going to be happy forever.
34:19The train speeds through
34:21the northern lights,
34:22heading straight into a future
34:24full of endless light.
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