- 4 minutes ago
- #revenge
A spectacular retribution drama where an independent lady returns from a dark past to systematically ruin her toxic corporate rivals. #Revenge
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My husband, Jax, was just crowned Don. At his celebration, he yanked me onto his lap.
00:05His mouth crashed down on mine in a deep, possessive kiss.
00:09His big hands roamed my curves. I could feel how hard he was, his desire undeniable.
00:14Not here. Save it from home.
00:16He let me go reluctantly and handed me a glass of my favorite red wine.
00:19A second later, his most trusted underboss suddenly said in Sicilian,
00:23Capo, chi è più di sera letto? La signora o quella canarettica che hai mantenuto al club?
00:27My blood ran cold. I expected Jax to shut him down instantly.
00:31Instead, he pressed a lingering fake kiss to my temple before replying in Sicilian.
00:35È una gattina selvaste. Non ne ho mai abbastanza di lei.
00:39Ma tenete tutti la bocca chiusa. Se ora lo scopri, mi lascerò di sicuro.
00:43The men erupted into knowing laughter, swearing on their lives to keep it quiet.
00:46My knuckles turned white around the stem of my wine glass.
00:49They didn't know my grandfather was from Sicily. I understood every single word.
00:53I already knew my husband was keeping a little pet on the side.
00:56I didn't scream. Didn't throw a fit.
00:58I pulled out my phone, opened my email, and silently accepted that long,
01:01sealed offer for the top-secret medical program.
01:03Three days from now, I'll be gone from Jax's life for good.
01:06Jax's eyes flicked to my untouched wine.
01:08He offered a concerned smile and asked in English,
01:10What's wrong, baby?
01:11His perfect, loving facade almost made me laugh.
01:14One minute, he's talking trash about another woman in my grandfather's tongue.
01:17The next, he's looking at me like I'm his entire world.
01:20I couldn't help but wonder how thick his mask really was.
01:23Nothing. What were you guys talking about?
01:25He lied without missing a beat.
01:27Just family business.
01:29I didn't want to ruin your mood with that dark shit, so we switched from English.
01:33I scoffed. He must be fucking her so much he'd forgotten I was half Italian.
01:36He forgot I could understand him.
01:38I forced a smile, but a suffocating pain gripped my chest.
01:40Carry on, then. I'm going out for some fresh air.
01:42I pushed him away and walked to the balcony alone.
01:44Along the way, the envious whispers of the guests filled my ears.
01:48See that? Even with Aurora's family wiped out, her position as Donna is rock solid.
01:51Everyone knows the boss worships her.
01:52For her last birthday, he bought out a whole bay in Hawaii.
01:54He flew in 90,000 rows as they nearly covered the entire beach.
01:56Yeah, I'd kill for a man like that.
01:58Those words used to fill me with warmth.
02:00Now, nothing. Just a hollow echo.
02:02Nobody knew that this man, who supposedly lived and breathed only for me, had already betrayed me.
02:06Just yesterday, I snuck into his office to surprise him.
02:09I waited in his private lounge so long I almost fell asleep.
02:12Then, a muffled moan woke me up.
02:14I opened my eyes through the one-way glass.
02:16I saw the man who swore to be faithful to me forever.
02:19He had Scarlet, his club manager, pinned against his desk.
02:21He was fucking her brains out.
02:23He was so rough, so desperate.
02:25His shirt was ripped open, exposing his tense, sculpted muscles.
02:29At their peak, he let her bite his neck right on the tattoo.
02:32The one he got for me.
02:33My initials.
02:34Did I hurt you?
02:35Boss, I want a mark, too.
02:38Done.
02:39I'll brand my name on you.
02:41Somewhere sweet.
02:43Somewhere only I can see it.
02:44Her scream of ecstasy was the sound of my soul shattering.
02:48I knew right then.
02:49My marriage died.
02:50Now, the cold wind on the balcony blew away the fog of my memories.
02:54My phone buzzed.
02:55It was my advisor, Professor Luca Moretti.
02:57Ever since I graduated grad school, he'd asked me to join his research more than once.
03:00I picked up.
03:01Aurora, I saw you accepted the offer.
03:03Five years ago, you gave up everything for Jax, and now I'm glad you're back.
03:07The military will send for you in three days.
03:09You can spend these days saying goodbye to your family.
03:12The word family stung so bad it burned my eyes.
03:15Ever since my parents died in the accident, Jax was the only family I had.
03:18But now, he didn't deserve that title.
03:20No need, Professor.
03:21Please use the project's highest security clearance to wipe my identity completely.
03:24Why?
03:25Once your identity's gone, you'll vanish off the face of the earth.
03:28Jax X would lose mind if he can't find you.
03:29You two were supposed to be it, weren't you?
03:31He cheated on me.
03:32My eyes burned.
03:33Five years.
03:33Five invitations.
03:34These hands that were supposed to cure diseases only ever stitched Jax's wounds and pulled out
03:38shrapnel.
03:39I gave up everything and got nothing in return.
03:41He sighed after a long silence.
03:43Yesterday, when you accepted out of the blue, I knew something was off.
03:46But...
03:47All right.
03:47I'll arrange it.
03:48Just take care of your things these next three days.
03:51Thank you, Professor.
03:53I finally let out a breath when he agreed.
03:55The moment I hung up, a deep voice sounded from behind me.
03:57Who betrayed who?
04:00I turned around and met Jax's concerned eyes.
04:03A friend of mine.
04:04Her husband cheated, and they're in the middle of a nasty split.
04:07Jax's tense gaze searched my face.
04:10Finding nothing unusual, he finally relaxed.
04:12He pulled me into his arms.
04:13Don't worry, baby.
04:14Betrayal is something that will never happen with me.
04:16I looked into his incredibly sincere eyes and couldn't help but ask.
04:20They're on if it does.
04:21There are no...
04:21My heart, my body.
04:22They're yours.
04:23Only yours.
04:24I said, what if?
04:25Then punish me by making it so I can never find you.
04:28You need to know you're my whole life.
04:30If you vanish, I don't want to live anymore.
04:32I curled my lips into a small smile and didn't reply.
04:35Jax, your punishment is coming soon.
04:37In three days, I will evaporate from your world entirely.
04:40Jax was about to say something else when a cool female voice interrupted him.
04:43Boss, everything is ready.
04:45Jax just nodded expressionlessly and waved her off.
04:48Their flawless act made my stomach turn.
04:50They both deserved an Oscar.
04:52If I hadn't seen them going at it like animals on that desk yesterday, I'd still be playing
04:55the fool.
04:56Baby, I have a surprise for you.
04:58Five.
04:59Four.
05:00Three.
05:01At zero, he dropped his hand.
05:02I opened my eyes.
05:03Even the entire Chicago sky exploded in light.
05:07Fireworks bloomed into roses.
05:08My favorite.
05:09Finally, they burned a massive J and A into the darkness.
05:11Baby, we've been together for ten whole years.
05:14Yeah, ten years.
05:16Nineteen to twenty-nine.
05:17A decade.
05:18Long enough to turn the boy who adored me into a complete stranger.
05:21Long enough to turn a passionate romance into cold, calculated deceit.
05:25He looked at me with deep affection and slowly leaned in for a kiss.
05:29Just as I was about to turn my head away, the private phone in his pocket buzzed.
05:33I gave orders.
05:34No interruptions today.
05:35But when he saw the name on the screen, he went stiff for a split second.
05:38Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a single letter glowing on the screen.
05:42S.
05:42Jax cleared his throat, smoothly tilting the screen away from me as he typed out a quick
05:46reply.
05:47Baby, I'm so sorry.
05:49Emergency at the club.
05:50I have to go.
05:50I...
05:50Go.
05:51Business first.
05:52I didn't have the energy for his bullshit.
05:54Jax let out a breath of relief.
05:55Normally, he wouldn't leave without a deep, passionate kiss.
05:58But this time, he just rushed a quick peck to my forehead and strode away.
06:01I watched him go.
06:02Then, I told the butler to handle the rest of the party and quietly followed Jax.
06:08He drove like a maniac all the way to the underground parking garage.
06:11Jax, those fireworks were gorgeous.
06:13I'm so jealous.
06:14I'm going crazy.
06:15I gave you a club for your birthday.
06:16Wasn't that enough?
06:18I made you a promise.
06:19Be a good girl.
06:20Keep Allura out of it and I'll make it up to you.
06:22You know I will.
06:23My nails dug hard into my palms.
06:25Last night, Jax was tied up in a gang war in the west side and the rival faction was
06:29uprooted overnight.
06:31He was carried back covered in blood, shot three times.
06:34I stayed awake for three whole days and nights, pulling him back from the brink of death.
06:38The day he regained consciousness, he stroked my haggard face with tender remorse.
06:42Baby, they struck first.
06:44I couldn't back down.
06:44Now I finally understood.
06:46All that bloodshed was nothing more than a gift to please his little mistress.
06:50And I was nothing but a ridiculous joke.
06:52Scarlet pouted, drawing lazy circles over his solid chest with her fingertip.
06:56I was just jealous.
06:58Jax grabbed her wandering hand, his voice thick.
07:01Didn't you say you had something good to show me?
07:03Scarlet yanked his tie.
07:04The boss has to unwrap it himself.
07:06I promise to make you feel so good, you'll think you didn't went to heaven.
07:11He scooped her up effortlessly and shoved her into the backseat of his bulletproof escalator.
07:15Scarlet let out a gasp and the heavy SUV began to rock this steady, punishing balloon.
07:20Leaning against the freezing concrete pillar.
07:22Finally let my tears fall.
07:23They hit the ground in heavy drops.
07:25I had literally watched them fuck yesterday.
07:27It sucks again today.
07:28My heart still ached like I'd caught a bullet to the chest.
07:30When we first got married,
07:31Jax swore he'd only celebrate every important occasion with me from then on.
07:35But one text from Scarlet, and he dumped me to run to her.
07:37Was he that obsessed with her?
07:39I closed my eyes and forced the suffocating emotions down.
07:42Three more days.
07:43Just three more days, and this would all be over.
07:46I didn't go back to the party.
07:47I went straight home.
07:48I was half asleep in the middle of the night.
07:50When a loud crash jolted me away, Jax stood in the doorway.
07:53His face tight with anxiety.
07:54His rigid frame only relaxed the moment he laid eyes on me.
07:59Baby, why did you leave without telling me?
08:02I finished dealing with the rat and went to find you, but you were gone.
08:05I was losing my damn mind.
08:07I glanced at the clock.
08:08I had been home since 9 p.m.
08:10He and Scarlet had been screwing for six solid hours.
08:14What a joke.
08:15I wasn't feeling well, so I came back early.
08:19Forgot to text you.
08:20I was now able to bullshit him without batting an eye.
08:24Next time, you have to tell me, baby.
08:26If you ever disappear on me, I swear to God, I don't know what crazy shit I'd do.
08:29Promise me you'll never leave me.
08:31I closed my eyes and didn't answer.
08:33After all, in three days, he would never find me again.
08:35The next morning, perhaps out of guilt, Jax had someone deliver an extremely rare pink diamond necklace.
08:41Baby, yesterday was my fault.
08:44Please don't be mad at me.
08:45I barely glanced at the diamonds before tossing them aside.
08:48I'm not mad.
08:48This is my gift for you, but you have to open it in two days.
08:52Originally, I got him custom-made cufflinks.
08:53I threw them in the fireplace and replaced them with divorce papers.
08:57This would be the last thing I ever gave him.
08:59Jax took the box, looking curious.
09:01Why two days?
09:02Because it's a surprise.
09:04It won't mean anything unless you open it in two days.
09:07Okay.
09:08Whatever you say, baby.
09:09Two days.
09:17Pure panic flashed across Jax's face.
09:21Baby, it's urgent gang manners.
09:23I'll handle it in the garden so I don't ruin your breakfast.
09:25I walked to the study window on the second floor, just in time to watch the scene unfold below.
09:31Are you out of your fucking mind?
09:35I warned you never to come here.
09:37If Aurora finds out, I will skin you alive.
09:40She pulled a piece of paper from her bag and shoved it at him.
09:43I know I shouldn't be here, but I'm pregnant.
09:47The doctor said we were too rough.
09:49The baby isn't stable.
09:51I'm so scared, Jax.
09:53Is our baby going to be okay?
09:54This is your first child.
09:55My whole body froze.
09:57It felt like a giant, invisible hand had just crushed my heart.
10:00I couldn't breathe.
10:02Scarlet was pregnant.
10:05When we first got married, we talked about having kids.
10:08Jax told me children would be a weakness,
10:10and he only wanted to give all his love to me.
10:13Back then, I was so moved by his devotion.
10:16Now, I finally understood.
10:17He didn't not want kids.
10:18He just didn't want me to have them.
10:20Jax looked shocked at first.
10:22The fury in his eyes twisted into a dark, complex ecstasy.
10:26Nine weeks?
10:27We do need to be careful.
10:30Go wait in the car.
10:32I'll take you to the best private hospital right now.
10:35Nobody is going to let anything happen to my kid.
10:37Scarlet finally smiled through her tears.
10:39Standing on her tiptoes to kiss him, Jax's eyes darkened.
10:42He took control, gripping the back of her head to deepen the kiss.
10:46They made out fiercely until Scarlet was gasping for air.
10:50You're pregnant and still trying to seduce me?
10:52Be a good girl and wait in the car.
10:54I actually felt a sick wave of relief.
10:57Thank God we didn't have kids.
10:59Now, I could leave without any strings attached.
11:01The second Jax pushed the door open.
11:03That familiar, apologetic look was back on his face.
11:06Baby, an emergency came up on the west coast.
11:10I have to go deal with it right now.
11:11Stay home and be good.
11:13I'll bring you a present when I get back.
11:14I nodded, seeing my calm expression.
11:17He finally left with peace of mind.
11:19I stared at his retreating back.
11:21Then at the calendar on the table, two days left.
11:24This was probably the last time I'd ever see him.
11:28That afternoon, I got a text from an unknown number.
11:31It was a picture of the ultrasound scan.
11:34I'm pregnant with Jax's baby, his useless orphan.
11:37If you have any sense, you'll pack your shit and get out of that mansion.
11:40Make room for me and my baby.
11:42I knew it was Scarlet.
11:43I guess the kid in her belly gave her the balls to challenge me.
11:46But I was already leaving, and my heart was already dead to Jax.
11:49Seeing that scan made me feel absolutely nothing.
11:52For the next two days, Jax didn't come home.
11:55I used the time to erase every single trace of myself from that house.
11:59I donated what I could, burned the rest, and only kept the bare essentials.
12:03On the day I left, I woke up early.
12:05I left my suitcase by the door and waited for the lab's car,
12:08just as I was about to call my professor.
12:10Scarlet texted me again.
12:12It was a photo.
12:13She was standing in a sea of flowers, wearing a pure white wedding dress.
12:16And Jax was down on one knee, slipping a ring on her finger.
12:20Jax proposed to me.
12:21We're getting married today.
12:23He's giving me and our baby the status we deserve.
12:25This is just the beginning.
12:27He said it's rushed, but he's giving me the best of everything to make me the happiest bride in the
12:31world.
12:32The next time he comes home, he'll be throwing divorce papers in your face.
12:36Have some dignity and walk out yourself.
12:38I'm going to be the lady of that house real soon.
12:40This time, I replied, congratulations.
12:44Right after I hit send, my ride arrived.
12:47I dragged my suitcase out and got in the car.
12:49We were stopped at a red light when a convoy of black SUVs roared past us.
12:54I looked over out of habit.
12:56Jax was in the back of the Rolls Royce in a sharp tailored suit.
12:59He was looking at Scarlet with eyes full of tenderness, clasping a necklace around her neck.
13:03He suddenly turned his head.
13:05Through the gap in the window, our eyes locked across the rushing traffic.
13:08His eyes, which had been full of lust just a second ago, widened the moment he recognized me.
13:13His pupils shrank.
13:15Raw terror and sheer despair flooded them.
13:18Deadpan.
13:19I told my driver to roll up the window.
13:21The next second, my phone started vibrating like crazy.
13:25I stared at the name Jax, flashing on the screen.
13:28I didn't answer.
13:29As the car drove over a bridge, I rolled the window down and tossed the phone straight into
13:34the freezing waters of Lake Michigan, at the private airstrip.
13:37I met my professor's friend and boarded the private jet heading to the Blacksite Research
13:42Base.
13:43Meanwhile, Jax stared at his unanswered phone, desperately trying to convince himself.
13:47Aurora is just sleeping.
13:50She felt smug again, that he finally called back.
13:54Jax, the wedding isn't over yet.
13:56I'm sure our baby wants to see Mommy and Daddy finish their vows, right?
14:00At the mention of the kid.
14:02She figured she was about to become the official Donna.
14:06Hello.
14:07Boss, something's wrong.
14:09The Donna, she's gone.
14:16Realized it wasn't just a look-alike.
14:18It was really Aurora.
14:19She didn't just leave him.
14:21She saw his betrayal with her own eyes before she left.
14:24She might have even watched the whole damn wedding.
14:26Extreme regret and fear completely swallowed him.
14:29Jax's face turned pale as he roared into the phone.
14:34He didn't even change out of his tuxedo before rushing for the war.
14:37Scarlet grabbed his arm, rubbing her belly, looking pitiful.
14:42Jax, my stomach hurts.
14:43I think the baby is kicking.
14:45She wanted to play the spoiled new wife.
14:47Get the fuck off me.
14:49He shoved Scarlet aside.
14:51I'm going to find Aurora.
14:53Scarlet hit the marble floor of the church,
14:55her white wedding dress spreading out like dead petals.
15:00Jax left her behind and sped off in his car.
15:04Track Aurora's every move.
15:06Airports, train stations, hotels.
15:07Pull every damn security tape.
15:09Boss, there are no departure records for the Donna.
15:12Keep looking.
15:13She can't just vanish into Fleer and Air.
15:15Boss, no hotel has any check-in under her name.
15:20But every answer was exactly the same.
15:23No such person.
15:24A top-secret military clearance was in effect.
15:27It was even emptier than the butler had said.
15:29Her half of the walk-in closet was bare.
15:31Even the bathroom only had his toiletries left.
15:33It was like she had never lived there.
15:35Jax was losing his mind.
15:36It's not a lover spat!
15:38Aurora isn't like that!
15:40Someone...
15:41Someone must have kidnapped her!
15:44The butler looked at his crazed state.
15:46The boss knew damn well by his right left.
15:48For the next 24 hours,
15:51Jax questioned every friend and relative.
15:53He had his men turn Chicago upside down.
15:55He used every connection.
15:57Even his moles in the FBI.
15:59Nothing.
16:00Aurora was a ghost.
16:01He sat alone in the empty mansion all night,
16:03clutching our wedding photo.
16:05His eyes were hollow like a dead man's.
16:07Just as Jax was about to tap into the dark web to find her,
16:10his underboss Marco rushed in.
16:12Boss.
16:12The divers found this at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
16:14He carefully handed over a phone.
16:16The screen was shattered,
16:17but the motherboard was intact.
16:19The tech guys recovered the data overnight.
16:21Jax's heart leaped to his throat.
16:23He took the phone with shaking hands.
16:25He instantly recognized it as Aurora's personal phone.
16:28Why was it in the lake?
16:29Did Aurora really...
16:30No.
16:31Impossible.
16:32He pressed the power button.
16:33His fingers trembling.
16:34The screen lit up.
16:35The messaging app was frozen on a chat between Aurora
16:38and an unknown number.
16:40Jax's pupils shrank.
16:41He didn't know the number,
16:42but the texts made his blood freeze.
16:45A photo of an ultrasound.
16:46A photo of Scarlet in her wedding dress.
16:48And those arrogant, taunting messages.
16:51I'm pregnant with Jax's baby.
16:52His first child.
16:53You useless orphan.
16:55If you know what's good for you,
16:56pack your bags and get out of that mansion.
16:58Jax proposed to me.
16:59We're getting married today.
17:00He said he wants to do right by me and the baby.
17:03The next time he comes home,
17:04he'll throw divorce papers in your face.
17:06If you have any dignity left, leave on your own.
17:08And she only replied with one word.
17:11Congratulations.
17:16Aurora's effortless congratulations hit Jax like a brutal slap across the face,
17:21shattering his delusions.
17:23His eyes went bloodshot, burning with rage.
17:25He finally understood she was in front of a jealous tantrum.
17:29She had seen right through his betrayal
17:30and calmly walked away from this marriage,
17:32like walking to the gallows.
17:34Jax roared.
17:35Smashing the phone against the wall,
17:37it shattered into pieces,
17:39just like his heart.
17:40He immediately took his men
17:41and stormed the luxury condo on the west side.
17:43It was the bridal suite he bought for Scarlet,
17:46worth millions,
17:47decorated like a palace.
17:48Just days ago,
17:49he had been looking forward to their new life there.
17:52Now,
17:52he only wanted to rip apart the woman who ruined everything.
17:56Scarlet was lying on silk sheets,
17:58in a see-through nightgown.
17:59She swallowed the humiliation of being left at the altar,
18:02waiting for her new husband to come back and comfort her,
18:04hearing the door open.
18:06Who gave you the nerve to provoke my wife?
18:09She turned with a snuckered smile,
18:10before she could finish.
18:12Vax's hand clapped around her throat.
18:14His face was as dark as a demon's,
18:16his eyes burning with hellfire.
18:18Scarlet's eyes rolled back as he choked her.
18:20She clawed frantically at his arm.
18:23Jax,
18:24I...
18:25I don't know what you're talking about.
18:34You don't know?
18:35He let go,
18:37letting her collapse onto the bed.
18:38He pulled out a spare phone,
18:39and brought up the chat logs.
18:40Here's your damn proof!
18:42Seeing those glaring screenshots,
18:44Jax,
18:45I just...
18:46I just wanted to be official.
18:48Aurora is gone now.
18:50Shut up!
18:52Vicious backhand to her face,
18:53half her face swelling up instantly.
18:55Jax,
18:56you can't do this to me!
18:58I'm carrying your baby!
18:59Your first child!
19:01He needs a father!
19:03You promised us a family!
19:04The word baby,
19:05a complicated look flashed across Jax's eyes.
19:08It was true.
19:09It was his first child.
19:11He had been thrilled.
19:12But now,
19:12he finally saw the unborn child,
19:14not as his heir,
19:16but as the very weapons
19:17Scarlet used to destroy his marriage.
19:19His anticipation instantly turned into
19:20pure,
19:21murderous hatred.
19:22If this kid is the reason Aurora left,
19:24then I don't want it.
19:25He always sounded like
19:26it came straight from hell.
19:27I warned you,
19:28the title of Donna belongs to Aurora always.
19:31You're just a toy,
19:32a replacement.
19:33You thought a baby would make you
19:34the boss's wife?
19:35Keep dreaming.
19:37Scarlet hit rock bottom.
19:38She realized she hadn't just lost Jax.
19:39She was going to lose the baby too.
19:41No, Jax!
19:42I'm begging you!
19:44This is our baby!
19:45We just got married!
19:47Jax was completely swallowed
19:49by rage and pain.
19:50He clapped his hands.
19:51Two massive bodyguards walked in,
19:54standing deadpan by the bed.
19:55They were his most ruthless enforcers,
19:57the ones who handled his messy problems.
20:00Jax looked at the shivering Scarlet
20:01without an ounce of hope to be lost.
20:03Aurora,
20:04she cost him the only true love
20:06of his life she had to pay.
20:08It's not my child,
20:09it's nothing.
20:10Take it out.
20:12Jax's voice was sharp as a knife.
20:16No!
20:18Jax!
20:20You can't!
20:21Take her to a clinic.
20:22Jax ordered,
20:23ignoring her wails.
20:24Clean it out,
20:25then dump her outside of Chicago.
20:27Make sure she never comes back.
20:29The enforcer stepped up,
20:30rubbing Scarlet by the arms.
20:31She thrashed wildly,
20:32but she was no match for two heavyweights.
20:34Scarlet's voice was hoarse,
20:35tears streaming down her face.
20:37Hours ago,
20:37she was a radiant bride.
20:40Jax,
20:40I'm begging you
20:42for what we had,
20:43for the baby.
20:44Now,
20:45she was a strenny dog.
20:46The fall from heaven to hell
20:47was driving her insane.
20:50I gave you a chance.
20:53Aurora is my life.
20:55You touched her,
20:56so you chose death.
20:58Scarlet's desperate screams
20:59were shut behind the door.
21:00Jax didn't even bother to look back.
21:02With Scarlet dealt with,
21:03Jax threw his entire empire
21:05into finding her.
21:06He used every connection,
21:07but everyone gave him
21:08the exact same answer.
21:09Boss,
21:10the Donna is truly gone.
21:14Days later,
21:15coming back to the empty mansion
21:16felt like sheer hell for Jax.
21:18Their memories haunted him
21:19like ghosts,
21:20keeping him awake.
21:21Her favorite coffee mug
21:22was still in the kitchen.
21:23Her half-read book
21:24was still in the study.
21:26A bookmark wedged
21:27at page 237.
21:29The bedroom even still carried
21:31the faint scent of her perfume.
21:33A month went by.
21:34Suddenly,
21:34something hit Jax.
21:35A box Aurora gave him
21:36before she left,
21:37the one she told him
21:38to open in two days.
21:39Back then,
21:39he was too wrapped up
21:40in Scarlet's bed to care.
21:42Now,
21:42he realized it might be
21:43the last clue Aurora left him.
21:45With shaking hands,
21:46Jax pulled the elegant box
21:47from the safe.
21:48His heart was pounding
21:49like a drum.
21:50Maybe it was a letter
21:51explaining why she left.
21:52Maybe a photo
21:53of their beautiful past.
21:54He took a deep breath.
21:55With the desperate hope
21:56of a dying man,
21:57he slowly opened it.
21:58But there was no gift inside.
22:00No letter.
22:00Just a set of divorce papers,
22:02already signed with her name.
22:03Black and white.
22:05Hold and ruthless.
22:07Aurora.
22:11Jax's world caved in.
22:12The last spark of hope
22:14was brutally snuffed out.
22:15A painful truth hit him.
22:20Catching the papers
22:21tightly to his chest,
22:22his tears streamed
22:23on his face.
22:24She was never coming back.
22:26Meanwhile,
22:26I had long left
22:27that toxic past behind.
22:29Within a top-secret
22:30military medical base,
22:31I threw myself wholeheartedly
22:32into medical technology research.
22:34It was completely isolated.
22:35No cell service.
22:36No outside noise.
22:38My mentor gave me
22:39a codename.
22:39Phoenix.
22:40A bird reborn from the fire.
22:41It suited me perfectly.
22:43From the ashes of Jax,
22:44it rose again.
22:45High-intensity experiments
22:46consumed all my time.
22:48I woke up at 5 a.m.
22:49and worked until midnight,
22:50standing at the lab bench
22:51for over a dozen hours straight.
22:52My hands grew rough
22:53from the gloves.
22:54My eyes burned
22:55from staring at screens.
22:56It never felt more fulfilled.
23:00We successfully developed
23:01a targeted anti-cancer
23:02preparation
23:02and not only drastically
23:04lower the post-operative
23:05infection rate
23:06to an extremely low level.
23:08This is arguably
23:09the most pivotal breakthrough
23:10in humanity's battle
23:11against malignant tumors
23:12and cleared even more funding
23:14for us.
23:14The team decided
23:15to throw a celebration banquet
23:16just outside the base
23:17for this milestone.
23:18I put on an evening gown
23:18for the first time
23:19in forever
23:20and did some light makeup.
23:21The woman in the mirror
23:22was still beautiful,
23:23but her eyes held
23:23a new cold maturity.
23:25The banquet was
23:26at a high-end hotel.
23:27Only core team members
23:28and senior base administrators
23:30were invited,
23:30holding a glass of champagne.
23:33I chatted with colleagues
23:34about data and research.
23:35This pure academic vibe
23:38gave me a joy
23:39I'd never known.
23:41Ladies and gentlemen,
23:43we have a special guest
23:44making a toast tonight.
23:46He is the largest private investor
23:48in our project.
23:49I frowned.
23:51The project was
23:51military classified.
23:53Why was there
23:54a private investor?
23:56A second later,
23:57a familiar figure
23:58appeared at the ballroom door.
24:14It was Jax.
24:17General Smith,
24:19the head of the project,
24:21stood up and personally
24:23escorted Jax to the head table.
24:28Everyone,
24:29this is our biggest
24:31private investor.
24:33Thanks to his funding,
24:35our research has reached
24:37this milestone today.
24:38My champagne glass
24:39trembled slightly in my hand.
24:41That's when I realized
24:42Jax hadn't just used
24:43his mafia ties.
24:44He had liquidated
24:45half of his clean
24:46corporate empire,
24:47funneling billions
24:48through anonymous
24:49tech foundations
24:50just to secure a spot
24:52as a crucial
24:53civilian contractor
24:54for the military.
24:55All just to buy
24:56a single ticket
24:57into the base.
24:57The mighty godfather
24:59of the Chicago Mafia
25:00had practically bankrupted
25:02his legitimate fronts
25:02just to see my face.
25:04At the table,
25:05Jax's eyes never left me.
25:07They tracked my every move,
25:08burning and desperate.
25:09I could feel his stare
25:10like a physical weight,
25:11but I ignored him completely.
25:13I cut my stake elegantly,
25:14discussing data
25:15with a researcher next to me,
25:17acting as if Jax
25:18didn't exist in this world.
25:19Six months of science
25:20had taught me
25:21absolute composure.
25:23Miss Phoenix,
25:24wait a moment.
25:24When the banquet ended,
25:25I stood up to leave.
25:26Our investor would like
25:27a private word with you
25:28regarding our next phase.
25:30I nodded,
25:30giving a professional smile.
25:32Of course, General.
25:33I walked quickly
25:33toward the base dorms,
25:34wanting to end
25:35this awkward charade
25:36as soon as possible.
25:37But on the heavily guarded,
25:39tree-lined path,
25:40Jax blocked my way.
25:41The once-arrogate
25:41mafia godfather
25:43now looked pathetic.
25:44His tailored suit
25:45hung loosely on his frame,
25:46his eyes bloodshot
25:47like a desperate,
25:48cornered beast.
25:49Aurora, please,
25:50just listen to me.
25:51His voice was raspy.
25:53In just six months,
25:55he looked like a shell
25:56of his former self.
25:59I spent six months
26:00looking for you.
26:02I donated every liquid asset I had.
26:06Laundered half my empire
26:07just to buy this one meeting.
26:09I looked at him calmly.
26:11Sir, I think you have
26:12the wrong person.
26:13Aurora doesn't exist anymore.
26:15My tone is cold
26:16as a stranger's.
26:17I'm just a researcher
26:18named Phoenix now.
26:20And I am nobody's wife.
26:24Besides,
26:24your new wife Scarlet
26:25should be due soon, right?
26:27Congratulations on being a father.
26:29Pain flashed in Jax's eyes.
26:31Aurora, no.
26:32Aurora, let me explain.
26:33I took care of Scarlet
26:35and the baby.
26:35You'll never see them again.
26:37I was wrong.
26:38I was so fucking wrong.
26:40Please come home with me.
26:41We can start over.
26:43I watched him quietly,
26:44far from being moved.
26:45I felt a bone-deep chill.
26:46He was actually that cruel
26:47to his own flesh and blood.
26:49A baby he had been
26:50absolutely thrilled about
26:51not long ago.
26:52He killed his own unborn child
26:54without a second thought.
26:55This man was cold-blooded
26:57to the core.
26:58Only now
26:58did I truly see
26:59the monster I used to love.
27:01You know what, Jax?
27:02My voice cut like a knife.
27:04Even without Scarlet,
27:05we were done.
27:07The second you bent her
27:08over your desk in that office,
27:10it was over.
27:12Jax recoiled
27:13like he'd been struck
27:14by lightning stumbling back.
27:16He begged like a dog.
27:18No, no.
27:19Aurora, I can change.
27:21I'll do anything
27:22to make it up to you.
27:23Please forgive me
27:24just this once.
27:25I swear,
27:26I will never...
27:27You betray me once.
27:29You're dead to me.
27:30I stepped back,
27:31putting distance between us.
27:33Jax, in my book,
27:34you've already been handed
27:36a death sentence.
27:38There are no pardons.
27:40My voice was terrifyingly calm.
27:42The Aurora you want
27:43died six months ago.
27:47The woman standing
27:48in front of you
27:49is Phoenix.
27:50A security noticed
27:50the commotion
27:51and jogged over.
27:52Miss Phoenix,
27:52is there a problem?
27:53No.
27:55This gentleman
27:55just mistook me
27:56for someone else.
27:57I said flatly.
27:58The guard stepped in,
27:59grabbing a hysterical Jax.
28:00Sir, you need to come with us.
28:01I turned and walked
28:02toward the top secret
28:03bulletproof glass doors.
28:05Behind me,
28:05Jax roared
28:06in absolute despair.
28:08Aurora!
28:09If I hadn't cheated!
28:12If I had stopped in time,
28:14would you have stayed?
28:16If I had never touched Scarlet,
28:18would we still be together?
28:20My footsteps paused
28:21for a split second.
28:22If,
28:23if you hadn't betrayed me,
28:24yes,
28:25we'd still be deeply in love.
28:27But,
28:28I swiped my keycard deadpan
28:29and walked through the doors
28:30without looking back.
28:32After all,
28:33in this world,
28:34there are no ifs.
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