- 9 hours ago
My Mafia Husband Begged Me Back HD
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Short filmTranscript
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.
00:06He 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, I was free.
00:46What he didn't know, was that I'd taken more with me.
00:49Enough to burn his empire to the ground.
00:52After my daughter Kelly died,
00:53I erased every habit my arms dealer husband had ever disliked.
00:59I stopped asking where he went.
01:01I slept just fine when he didn't come home.
01:05Even after I was injured in an explosion,
01:08the medic told me to notify my family.
01:10I just replied calmly.
01:11I don't have any.
01:12A nurse recognized me.
01:15Mrs. Curran, right?
01:18Mr. Curran is right next door.
01:20Should I inform him?
01:22I shook my head.
01:23That won't be necessary.
01:26Thirty minutes later,
01:27Everett showed up anyway.
01:29His sharp eyes carried their usual oppressive intensity.
01:32Why didn't you tell me you were injured?
01:34I lowered my gaze.
01:36Just shrapnel scratches.
01:38Nothing serious.
01:40My indifference irritated him.
01:42He was about to speak.
01:44When the guard's voices drifted in from outside.
01:47Mr. Curran really cares about Mrs. Finley.
01:50She only twisted her ankle.
01:52He called in a helicopter and carried her on and off himself.
01:56He wouldn't even let her feet touch the ground.
01:59Everett panicked.
02:00He glanced at me,
02:01waiting for me to make a scene like I used to.
02:03But I didn't even blink.
02:06I simply leaned back against the pillow
02:08and closed my eyes.
02:13The air around Everett grew heavy.
02:16Don'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.
02:43My 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.
02:58What 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,
03:10as if I were something to fear.
03:13Mrs. Curran,
03:14please,
03:15don't blame me.
03:18I never meant for Kelly to die.
03:21In the past,
03:21I would have seized him by the collar.
03:23I would have demanded to know
03:25why he was shielding the woman.
03:26Responsible for our daughter's death.
03:29But now?
03:33I just stared at the ceiling in silence.
03:35I'm taking Madeline back to her ward.
03:37I'll be right back.
03:39Everett turned and carried her away.
03:41It was midnight.
03:42He still hadn't come back.
03:45Instead,
03:45I 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,
03:56you'll be stationed at the base
03:57for 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,
04:11you have three days to withdraw.
04:14After all,
04:15you used to care so much about Mr. Curran.
04:18I won't regret it.
04:20Because I don't love him anymore.
04:28The next second,
04:29the door slammed open.
04:31Everett stood there,
04:32his gaze icy.
04:35You don't love me anymore?
04:38I dare you to say that again, Alicia!
04:43I quietly ended the call and closed my eyes,
04:46fending sleep.
04:47Everett approached.
04:48His presence cold and commanding.
04:50But he paused
04:51when 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,
05:04even in dreams.
05:05He grabbed my wrist and unshook me awake.
05:10Allie, did you have a nightmare?
05:12I lowered my eyes.
05:13I dreamed about Kelly.
05:15Kelly.
05:18Kelly.
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.
05:31Kelly.
05:32My heart was damaged beyond odd 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?
05:52He looked caught off guard.
05:54Allie, Maddie's stomach is bothering her.
05:57She's craving that soup you make.
06:02My body went ice cold.
06:07I'd just survived an explosion.
06:09Shrapnel was still embedded in my body.
06:11And here was at Everett,
06:13waking me in the dead of night to make soup for Madeline.
06:15Give me a pen and paper.
06:17I'll write down the recipe.
06:18Everett signaled one of his men to bring them.
06:24As I handed him the paper,
06:25his fingertips trembled.
06:29Recognition dawned on him.
06:33Once, long ago,
06:35he'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.
06:48Mr. Curran,
06:49Miss 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
07:03when a brutal force pulled me up.
07:05Alicia,
07:06Maddie coughed up blood after drinking that soup.
07:08Why?
07:10His grip on my chin was punishing.
07:14What did you put in that recipe you gave me?
07:18I glanced at him flat.
07:22You think it's off?
07:23Let the medics check it!
07:27Allie, if you're upset, just say so.
07:30Don't shut me out like this.
07:32I'm your husband, not your enemy.
07:33I closed my eyes.
07:35I have nothing more to say to you.
07:37For a moment,
07:38he 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,
07:45his subordinate's voice filtered through.
07:47Mr. Curran,
07:48Mrs. Finley's stomach has been humped.
07:49She's out of danger,
07:50but she's terrified.
07:51She keeps calling for you.
07:52I see.
07:53He turned back
07:53to give me one deep look.
07:55Get some rest, Allie.
07:56I'll drive you back tomorrow.
07:58That night stretched on,
08:00like an endless winter.
08:01Shelly, my daughter,
08:02who'd grown inside me for ten months,
08:05would be reduced to ashes tomorrow,
08:07sealed in a cold urn,
08:09and laid to rest in dark earth.
08:11The next day,
08:12Everett drove me to the country town,
08:14hidden deep in the mountains.
08:16Leaning on my crutch,
08:17I made my way into the funeral home,
08:19desperate,
08:20for one last glimpse of my little girl.
08:22But the instant I crossed the threshold,
08:24Beverly Curran lunged at me
08:25like a woman possessed.
08:26You vile bitch!
08:28You actually have the nerve to come back?
08:33Beverly slapped me twice,
08:35across the face.
08:36Kelly died because of you!
08:38You knew she was afraid of heights.
08:40Why did you take her to that observation deck?
08:43You wanted her to die.
08:45I went cold,
08:47all over.
08:48Madeline was the one
08:49who 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 friends stepped forward,
08:57joining memory
08:58as they struck me in cold.
09:00Speed her!
09:01Kill her!
09:01She murdered her own daughter!
09:03You don't deserve to see Kelly
09:05one last time!
09:07Sticks of batons rained down on me
09:08without mercy.
09:10Someone threw a rock
09:10that split my forehead open.
09:12My crutch was grabbed
09:14and used as a weapon against me.
09:15I collapsed to the floor,
09:17blood and dust smearing across my face.
09:20Enough!
09:22After what felt like an eternity,
09:25Everett pushed through
09:25and shielded me with his body.
09:29Kelly's death was an accident.
09:31Allie isn't to blame.
09:32Anyone who touches her again
09:34will be dealt with
09:34according 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
09:54to tend to my wounds,
09:55but my eyes remained utterly cold.
09:58Everett,
09:59Madeline took Kelly
10:00to 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
10:08the family invested in.
10:09Her identity
10:10is sensitive.
10:12If anyone finds out
10:13she was indirectly responsible
10:14for Kelly's death,
10:16she won't have a place here anymore.
10:18You're different.
10:19You're my wife,
10:21under my protection.
10:24Take the blame for her this once,
10:26okay?
10:27I'll transfer 30%
10:28of Curry Defense Industries
10:30shares to you as compensation.
10:32He watched me with barely
10:32concealed unneeds.
10:34He thought I'd break down
10:35crying or lash out.
10:36But my expression
10:37stayed so calm.
10:37It sent panic
10:38seeping into his chest.
10:40I merely glanced at him flatly.
10:41Whatever, I don't care.
10:45He should have felt relieved.
10:47Instead,
10:48something in his chest
10:49tightened painfully.
10:52Allie,
10:52don't overthink it.
10:54Maddie is talented.
10:55And that's why
10:56I look out for her.
10:57That's all it is.
10:58I understand.
10:59I lowered my head.
11:01You don't need 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
11:09meant anything to me.
11:11Utterly irritated,
11:12Everett was about
11:13to say something.
11:14But before he could,
11:16a guard burst in.
11:18Bad news,
11:19Mr. Curran.
11:20Mrs. Finley went to
11:21pay her respects
11:22and ran into Miss Curran.
11:24They're fighting.
11:25Diane Curran was
11:26the family's
11:26true-blooded heir.
11:28Everett's expression
11:29changed drastically.
11:30Allie,
11:31bandage 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
11:38her trusted people.
11:40Alicia,
11:41no one's here
11:43to protect you now.
11:44Her gaze was pure malice.
11:46Kelly's dead
11:49because of you.
11:51I'm going to make sure
11:52you understand
11:53what it feels like
11:54to fall.
11:56She signaled her men
11:58to drag me
11:59to an abandoned
11:59ventilation shaft.
12:01Deep,
12:01dark,
12:02with cold wind
12:03howling up
12:04from the bottom.
12:05Kelly fell from
12:06that observation top
12:0730 stories high.
12:10Do you have
12:11any idea
12:12how terrifying
12:13that fall was?
12:15Beverly grabbed
12:16my hair
12:16and forced
12:17my upper body
12:18over the shaft's edge.
12:20You were right there.
12:22Why didn't you
12:23catch her?
12:24Dizziness overwhelmed
12:26me.
12:26The darkness below
12:27gaped like a monster's
12:29mouth.
12:30Beverly pushed me
12:31to the edge
12:31time and again,
12:32yanking me back
12:33only at the last second.
12:35Breathe!
12:36You know how to breathe,
12:37don't you?
12:38When Kelly fell,
12:40she didn't even
12:40have time to cry!
12:42After several rounds
12:43of this torture,
12:44a sharp pain
12:46tore through my chest.
12:47A metallic taste
12:48flooded my mouth.
12:49Blood trickled
12:50from the corner
12:51of my lips.
12:52Her internal organs
12:53might be damaged.
12:55If this keeps up,
12:56she could die.
12:57Only then,
12:58did Beverly let go?
13:00I slumped to the ground,
13:01my consciousness fading.
13:03When I woke,
13:04I was in the ward.
13:06Everett sat
13:07by the bed.
13:08You're awake,
13:09Allie.
13:10He held my hand,
13:11his eyes bloodshot.
13:13I'm sorry I didn't
13:14protect you well enough.
13:16Don't worry,
13:17I've dealt with
13:18everyone who hurt you.
13:19I warned Mom,
13:20too,
13:20she won't lay a finger
13:21on 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
13:28told her the truth.
13:30He never failed
13:31to disappoint me.
13:32Okay.
13:33I closed my eyes,
13:34unwilling to say
13:35another word.
13:37Allie,
13:37I know you're upset
13:38about Kelly.
13:39I promise I'll
13:40make it up to you.
13:42We have a long
13:43future ahead.
13:47I'll make you
13:47fall for me again.
13:49He stood and left.
13:50The moment the door
13:51closed,
13:52two encrypted messages
13:53arrived on my phone.
13:54The first was
13:55from the courthouse.
13:56Miss Simpson,
13:57your divorce from
13:58Mr. Curran
13:59has been finalized.
14:00The second was
14:01from DARPA.
14:02Miss Simpson,
14:03the Welkin Shield
14:04project launches
14:05tomorrow.
14:05Your helicopter
14:06is ready.
14:08I stared at the
14:09screen for a long
14:10time.
14:11Finally,
14:12I let out a
14:13relieved smile.
14:14At last,
14:15the day had come.
14:16But before I left,
14:17I had one last
14:18thing to do.
14:19I braced myself
14:20on my crutch
14:21and walked to
14:22Madeline's room.
14:23Alicia?
14:25What are you
14:26doing here?
14:27The usual
14:27fragile act
14:28vanished from
14:29her face,
14:29replaced by
14:30contempt.
14:31Here to look
14:32for Rhett?
14:33How pathetic.
14:34Look at how
14:35badly you're hurt,
14:36and he hasn't
14:37spared you a
14:38second glance.
14:39But me?
14:40I twisted my
14:41ankle,
14:42and he stayed
14:43by my side
14:43around the
14:44clock.
14:45I felt nothing.
14:46These petty
14:46games over
14:47attention no
14:48longer concerned
14:48me.
14:49I asked only
14:50one question.
14:51Madeline?
14:52That day on
14:53the observation
14:53deck?
14:55Did Kelly
14:56fall on her
14:57own,
14:57or did you
14:58push her?
14:58Madeline's
14:59face split
15:00into a
15:00wild grin.
15:02Alicia,
15:02you know
15:02what?
15:03Rhett was
15:03there that
15:04day too.
15:04The railing
15:05gave way.
15:06Kelly and
15:07I slipped
15:07at the
15:07same time.
15:08Rhett grabbed
15:09me without
15:09hesitation,
15:10and Kelly
15:11fell.
15:12She fell
15:13right in
15:13front of
15:13us.
15:14Everett had
15:14been there
15:15the day
15:15Kelly died.
15:16He chose
15:17to save
15:17Madeline.
15:18He let
15:19her daughter
15:19fall.
15:21You want
15:22to know
15:22the funniest
15:22part?
15:24Rhett knows
15:25I'm trained
15:25in climbing.
15:26He knows
15:27my balance
15:27is perfect,
15:29but his
15:30first instinct
15:30was still
15:31to save
15:31me.
15:33Tears
15:34blurred
15:34my vision.
15:35I swore
15:36this would
15:36be the
15:36last time
15:37I ever
15:38cried for
15:39Everett.
15:39I wiped
15:40my eyes,
15:41picked up
15:42my crutch,
15:42and walked
15:43out.
15:44I moved
15:44slowly,
15:45but I never
15:46looked back.
15:47Everett,
15:48we no longer
15:49have a future.
15:52from now
15:52on we
15:52won't see
15:53each other
15:53again.
15:54Not in
15:54this life,
15:55not in
15:56the next.
15:56I took
15:57a vehicle
15:57to the
15:57courthouse
15:58and picked
15:59up my
15:59divorce
15:59decree.
16:00Before
16:01getting on
16:01the
16:01helicopter,
16:02I uploaded
16:03the complete
16:04recording of
16:04my conversation
16:05with Madeline
16:05to the
16:06dark web.
16:07Kelly's
16:08death was
16:08an accident?
16:09The law
16:10couldn't
16:10touch them?
16:11Then let
16:12the truth
16:12burn in
16:13the shadows.
16:14That was
16:14the last
16:15thing I
16:15did for
16:15my daughter.
16:16I threw
16:17away my
16:17phone.
16:18The
16:18helicopter
16:18lifted me
16:19into the
16:19clouds.
16:20Finally,
16:21I was
16:22free.
16:24The
16:24helicopter
16:25punched
16:25through
16:25layers
16:26of
16:26clouds.
16:27Below
16:27me,
16:27the
16:27company
16:28town
16:28shrunk
16:28rapidly
16:29until it
16:29disappeared
16:30behind
16:30rolling
16:31mountain
16:31ragions.
16:32I leaned
16:32against
16:32the
16:33cabin
16:33wall
16:33as
16:33the
16:33sky
16:34out
16:34slowly
16:34brightened.
16:47My
16:47heart
16:47no longer
16:48beat
16:48for
16:48Everett.
16:50by
16:50the
16:50time
16:51we
16:51landed
16:51at
16:51the
16:51northwest
16:51air
16:52base
16:52dusk
16:53had
16:53settled
16:53over
16:53the
16:53desert.
16:55The
16:55base
16:55sat
16:56like
16:56a
16:56steel
16:56fortress
16:57embedded
16:57in
16:58the
16:58earth.
17:01home.
17:02at
17:02Mrs.
17:03Simpson.
17:10I'm
17:10Vernon
17:10Lynch,
17:11base
17:12commander.
17:13As of
17:13today,
17:14you're the
17:15lead systems
17:15engineer for
17:16the Weldon
17:16Shield
17:16project.
17:18This will
17:18be your
17:19home for
17:19the next
17:1920 years
17:20or longer.
17:23Home?
17:26The
17:27place I'd
17:27once called
17:28home had
17:28long become
17:29a hell
17:29that consumed
17:30me.
17:32Uh,
17:34thank you
17:34commander
17:35Lynch.
17:36My voice
17:36was calm
17:37as I
17:37accepted the
17:38non-disclosure
17:38agreement and
17:39ID badge.
17:40Here,
17:42I
17:43wasn't
17:43Mrs.'s
17:43Curran.
17:47I was Mrs.
17:48Simpson.
17:50That
17:50realization brought
17:51me an
17:52almost
17:52cruel
17:52sense of
17:53relief.
17:55The days
17:56blurred into a
17:57rhythm
17:58of
17:58intense
17:58work and
18:00isolation.
18:03No
18:04internet.
18:05No
18:05personal
18:06communication.
18:07Only
18:07encrypted internal
18:08lines
18:09and
18:09mountains of
18:10blueprints
18:10and
18:10data.
18:12I
18:12poured
18:13everything
18:13into
18:13Wellton
18:14Shield.
18:15Each
18:15problem
18:16I
18:16solved
18:16felt
18:17like
18:17stripping
18:17away
18:17another
18:18layer
18:18of
18:18who
18:19I
18:19used
18:19to
18:19be.
18:20Occasionally,
18:21in the
18:21dead
18:22of
18:22night,
18:22Kelly's
18:23face
18:23would
18:23flash
18:24through
18:24my
18:24mind.
18:27The
18:28dimples
18:28when she
18:29smiled.
18:31The
18:31soft
18:32way she
18:32called
18:32for me
18:33when she
18:33threw
18:33herself
18:34into
18:34my
18:34arms.
18:35My
18:36heart
18:36would
18:36seize,
18:37suffocating
18:38me
18:38with
18:38pain.
18:40But I'd
18:41force myself
18:42back to
18:43the flickering
18:44screen.
18:47Work was
18:48the best
18:48sedative.
18:50My deputy
18:51at Damon
18:52Jenkins
18:52seemed to
18:52sense
18:53something my
18:53silences,
18:54but he
18:54never pried.
18:57he
18:57just
18:58pushed
18:58warm
18:58energy
18:59drinks
18:59my
18:59way
18:59after
19:00I'd
19:00worked
19:00ten
19:01hours
19:01straight.
19:02One
19:02night,
19:03I stood
19:03alone
19:03in the
19:04corridor,
19:04staring
19:05at the
19:05stars
19:05through
19:05the
19:06reinforced
19:06glass.
19:08Damon
19:08appeared
19:08beside
19:09me.
19:12He
19:13held out
19:13a cup
19:14of hot
19:14coffee
19:14without
19:15a
19:15word.
19:16Then,
19:17he
19:17walked
19:18away.
19:20I
19:21wrapped
19:21my hands
19:21around the
19:21warmth,
19:22and for
19:22a moment,
19:23the night
19:23didn't feel
19:24quite so
19:24endless.
19:25Three
19:25years
19:26slipped
19:26by
19:26before
19:27I
19:27realized
19:27it.
19:29Welgel
19:30Shield's
19:30phase
19:31one
19:31test
19:31platform
19:31was
19:32about
19:32to
19:32undergo
19:32its
19:33inaugural
19:33orbital
19:33deploy-in.
19:34It was
19:35the
19:35project's
19:35most
19:36critical
19:36and
19:37dangerous
19:37stage
19:37yet.
19:39The
19:39entire
19:39base
19:40hummed
19:40with
19:40high
19:41pressure
19:41mixed
19:41with
19:42barely
19:42constrained
19:42thrill.
19:45Sometime
19:45during my
19:46eighth month,
19:46Vernon called
19:47me into
19:47his office.
19:50He
19:51handed me
19:51a classified
19:52briefing
19:52document,
19:53his
19:53expression
19:53grave.
19:55something's
19:56happened to
19:56current
19:56defense
19:57industries.
19:58I scanned
19:59the contents.
20:00An anonymous
20:01source had
20:02leaked their
20:02covert overseas
20:04trading channels,
20:06exposing a
20:06web of
20:07black market
20:07weapons
20:08deals.
20:09The information
20:10had been
20:11released in
20:11carefully timed
20:12batches to
20:13international
20:13regulators.
20:15Each leak
20:16landed like a
20:17precision
20:17precision
20:18strike.
20:20Curry
20:21defense
20:21industries had
20:22once seemed
20:23like an
20:23unsinkable
20:24juggernaut.
20:27Now it was
20:28sinking at
20:29astonishing
20:29speed.
20:30very
20:31very professional
20:32work.
20:33Pinpoint
20:34intel.
20:38Feels like
20:39someone on
20:39the inside.
20:41Vernon's gaze
20:42carried both
20:43scrutiny and a
20:44hint of
20:44probing.
20:48I set the
20:49briefing down,
20:50my face
20:51revealing
20:51nothing.
20:52Commander
20:52Lynch,
20:53right now,
20:53all I care
20:54about is
20:54whether we
20:54can push
20:55WellDock
20:55Shield's
20:55efficiency by
20:563%.
20:58Current
20:59defense
20:59industry's
21:00situation is
21:00none of my
21:01concern.
21:06I see.
21:07Get back
21:08to work.
21:13In the
21:13dead of
21:13night,
21:14when I
21:14faced the
21:14stars alone,
21:15I'd think
21:16about the
21:16recording I'd
21:16uploaded before
21:17I left.
21:18That was
21:18just the
21:19spark.
21:22The
21:23information
21:23that followed
21:24was more
21:24fatal,
21:25more precise.
21:27I'd collected
21:28it during my
21:29years with the
21:29Currenton
21:29family.
21:31An Everett
21:32study in
21:32encrypted server
21:33logs beside
21:34weapons designs
21:35he thought I
21:35didn't understand.
21:37Like a trapped
21:38animal, I'd
21:39subconsciously
21:40gathered it
21:40all.
21:41The day I
21:41left, together
21:42with that
21:42recording, I
21:43set it all as
21:44a timed
21:44release gift.
21:46I wondered
21:47if Everett
21:48appreciated my
21:49parting gesture.
21:5272 hours
21:53before launch,
21:54I'd practically
21:55moved into
21:56mission control.
21:57The entire
21:57base held
21:58its breath.
22:02During the
22:02final full
22:03system
22:03integration
22:04check, an
22:05unexpected
22:05alert flashed
22:06across the
22:06main display.
22:09A minuscule
22:10anomaly in the
22:11orbital parameters.
22:13Probably
22:14background
22:15radiation
22:15interference or
22:16minor sensor
22:17drift.
22:19I'm not
22:19bashta.
22:20It's within
22:21acceptable
22:22tolerarity.
22:23But Damon
22:24kept comparing
22:25the data,
22:26frowning.
22:27Miss Simpson,
22:28the fluctuation
22:29pattern is
22:30unusual.
22:30I don't think
22:31it's natural
22:31interference.
22:35Looks more
22:35like some kind
22:36of signal
22:36injection.
22:41My heart
22:42tightened.
22:42I immediately
22:43pulled all
22:44relevant logs
22:44and ordered a
22:45full investigation.
22:45investigation.
22:47Something
22:47wasn't right.
22:52Someone
22:52had touched
22:53the system.
22:59A few
22:59hours later,
23:00the investigation
23:01results came
23:02back, sending
23:03a chill straight
23:04through me.
23:04Three days
23:05ago, someone
23:05had used a
23:06brief maintenance
23:06window to
23:07implant
23:07malicious code
23:08into the
23:08core navigation
23:09substabray.
23:09The code
23:11wasn't designed
23:11to cause
23:12immediate
23:12destruction.
23:14It was
23:15programmed to
23:16trigger cumulative
23:17errors under
23:18specific conditions,
23:19eventually causing
23:20the platform to
23:21drift off course
23:22or fail
23:23completely.
23:25Luckily, we'd
23:26caught the
23:27injurgeon in time
23:28and purged
23:28the code
23:32before it could
23:33do any real
23:34damage.
23:34The Weckl
23:35Shield project
23:36was classified
23:36at the highest
23:37level.
23:41An external
23:42cyber attack
23:43was practically
23:44impossible.
23:45This had to
23:45be an inside
23:46job or
23:47someone 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
23:56it to a young
23:57technician responsible
23:58for a peripheral
23:59data interface.
24:02He'd gone
24:03missing the day
24:04before the
24:04incident.
24:07They found
24:07his abandoned
24:08vehicle.
24:08out in the
24:09desert.
24:14The car
24:14yielded no
24:15useful leads.
24:16Just a faint,
24:17distinctive scent
24:18that lingered in
24:19the air.
24:19A mixture of
24:21gunpowder and
24:21fur.
24:25My fingernails
24:26dug into my
24:27palms as I
24:28recognized it
24:29instantly.
24:30It was Everett's
24:32signature custom
24:32blended cologne.
24:33The scent unique
24:35and long-lasting.
24:37He'd once
24:37mentioned casually
24:38that the scent
24:39helped 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
24:52elevated the base's
24:53security alert level
24:54and reported
24:55directly to
24:56higher command.
24:57The instructions
24:59came back
24:59swiftly.
25:00Proceed with the
25:01launch as
25:01scheduled.
25:02But activate the
25:03highest emergency
25:04protocols.
25:05Launch day
25:06dawned bright and
25:07clear over the
25:08desert.
25:08The massive launch
25:10tower stood
25:10upright against the
25:11sky.
25:17Inside mission
25:18control, the
25:19atmosphere was
25:20heavy with
25:20tension.
25:21Everyone remained
25:22glued to their
25:23workstations.
25:25Focus absolute.
25:31I sat in the
25:32chief engineer's
25:33seat, facing
25:33multiple screens
25:34displaying different
25:35data.
25:36My heartbeat
25:37stayed steady.
25:39Everything else,
25:40the tangled thoughts,
25:42the painful
25:42memories, even the
25:44recent security
25:45breach, was
25:47forced to push
25:48to the periphery
25:48of my mind.
25:50For now, my
25:52entire world
25:52consisted of
25:53jumping data
25:54points and
25:54flowing curves.
25:56One minute to
25:57launch.
26:00Ten, nine,
26:02eight, three,
26:05two, one,
26:06ignition!
26:11The roar
26:12reached us
26:12through the
26:13ground itself.
26:14On the screens,
26:15the rocket lifted
26:16off steadily.
26:20first stage
26:21separation
26:21nominee,
26:23second stage
26:24ignition
26:24nominee.
26:25Orbit in
26:26search and
26:26phase.
26:27The platform
26:27successfully
26:28entered its
26:29designated orbit.
26:31The solar panels
26:32began to deploy.
26:36Long suppressed
26:38ships erupted
26:39throughout mission
26:40control.
26:41We've done it.
26:43I leaned back in
26:44my chair and let
26:45out a long
26:46breath.
26:48demon
26:48watched
26:48and
26:49made
26:50a glass
26:50of water.
26:53Miss Simpson,
26:55we actually
26:56did it.
26:56His eyes met
26:57mine for a
26:58single bright
26:59moment.
27:00And he looked
27:00away first.
27:05I accepted the
27:06glass and
27:07nodded at
27:08demon.
27:09But deep
27:09down, I
27:10couldn't shake
27:11the unease
27:12that clung to
27:13me like a
27:13second skin.
27:14The security
27:15breach remained
27:16unsolved.
27:17The celebration
27:18was brief.
27:19I retreated to
27:20my office and
27:21pulled up every
27:22report related to
27:23the intrusion.
27:24Night fell.
27:26The base
27:26settled into
27:27silence.
27:27I rubbed my
27:28throbbing temples,
27:29finally ready to
27:30call it a night.
27:31I powered down
27:32my main system
27:33and was about
27:34to stand.
27:34Then the screen
27:35of my dedicated
27:36terminal, the
27:37one used for
27:37top, secret
27:38work, physically
27:39air-gapped from
27:40every other
27:40network, flickered
27:42to life on its
27:43own.
27:43No login
27:44interface, no
27:45system prompt.
27:46Against the black
27:47background, a
27:48single line of
27:49white text floated,
27:50like something
27:51risen from the
27:51depths.
27:52Let's talk,
27:53Allie.
27:56My blood
27:57turned to ice.
28:00The words
28:01lingered for
28:01perhaps five
28:02seconds, before
28:03vanishing.
28:05The screen went
28:06back to sleep
28:06mode, as if
28:08nothing had
28:08happened.
28:09But I knew, with
28:11absolute certainty, that
28:12I hadn't imagined
28:13it.
28:13My terminal had the
28:14highest possible
28:15security clearance.
28:17Theoretically, external
28:18intrusion was
28:19impossible, unless
28:20someone on the
28:20inside had
28:21cooperated, or an
28:22unknown vulnerability
28:23had been
28:23exploited.
28:24My mind flashed
28:25back, to the
28:26malicious code from
28:27days ago, Everett.
28:28He'd actually extended
28:29his reach this far.
28:30Rage ignited inside
28:31me, burning hot
28:32enough to freeze my
28:33hands.
28:34How dare he touch
28:35Welkin's shield?
28:36This wasn't just
28:37personal anymore.
28:38It was a direct
28:38threat to national
28:39security.
28:40I hit the internal
28:41emergency communication
28:42button immediately.
28:44Vernon and the
28:45head of security
28:46arrived within
28:47minutes.
28:49The tech experts
28:50conducted a thorough
28:51sweep of the
28:51terminal.
28:55They found an
28:56extremely sophisticated,
28:57deeply hidden access
28:58point.
28:59Its source
29:00untraceable.
29:05Implemented with
29:06a level of
29:06professionalism that
29:08only a handful of
29:09people in the world
29:09could achieve.
29:14Full sweep of
29:15every internal
29:15network and
29:16physical port.
29:17Now!
29:20Vernon's expression
29:21was darker than
29:23I'd ever seen it.
29:24Mrs. Simpson, it's
29:25clear you're the
29:26target.
29:26You need to know
29:27what he wants and
29:28how you plan to
29:29handle it.
29:30I sat in silence
29:31for a moment,
29:32thinking, Everett had
29:34gone to these lengths
29:34to find me.
29:37He already knew
29:38about my involvement
29:39in Welkin's shield.
29:40He might also have
29:41discovered my role
29:44in the leaks against
29:45current defense
29:45industries.
29:47What did he want?
29:50Revenge?
29:50threats?
29:52Or something else
29:54entirely?
29:58I'll talk to him.
29:59My voice was calmer
30:00than I felt.
30:01Completely devoid of
30:02warmth.
30:03Vernon pondered for a
30:04moment.
30:05Then he exchanged a
30:06look with the security
30:07chief.
30:08And finally nodded.
30:12Okay, we'll set it
30:14up.
30:15But Miss Simpson,
30:16remember who you
30:17are now.
30:23I'm at his gaze
30:24without flinching.
30:25I know exactly who
30:26I am.
30:27I'm the chief
30:27engineer of Welkin's
30:28shield, the project
30:29lead.
30:30That comes before
30:30everything else.
30:31But it has to be in
30:32a completely controlled
30:33environment.
30:33I need an isolated
30:34one-way communication
30:35channel, fully
30:36transparent with no
30:37possibility of traceback
30:38or additional
30:39infiltration.
30:39The entire conversation
30:41must be monitored and
30:42recorded.
30:44They arranged the
30:45communication in a
30:47special isolation bay.
30:48The room contained
30:49only the most basic
30:50audio equipment.
30:52All signals were
30:53encrypted and filtered
30:55through multiple
30:55layers.
30:57At the appointed time,
30:59I sat down in the
31:00bay, a microphone in
31:02front of me.
31:03The communication
31:04went through.
31:05No video.
31:06Just the faint static
31:07hum of electrons.
31:12Then that voice reached
31:13me, through the
31:14speakers.
31:15The voice I thought
31:16I'd long buried in the
31:17past.
31:18It was deep, rough
31:20around the edges,
31:21carrying an exhaustion
31:22I couldn't quite place.
31:23And something that
31:24almost sounded like
31:25urgency.
31:26Allie.
31:54Allie.
31:57Do you have any idea
31:58what that means?
32:00Several seconds of
32:01silence passed.
32:03Then an almost
32:04imperceptible sigh
32:05filtered through.
32:06Yes.
32:07I know exactly what it
32:08means.
32:10But I needed to see you.
32:13Or at least hear you.
32:14For the sake of those
32:15shady deals you've been
32:16running?
32:17Or to make things right
32:18for your beloved
32:18Madeline?
32:19I let icy mockery
32:20seep into my tone.
32:23The recording
32:24and those files?
32:25Did you enjoy them?
32:27Oh,
32:27his voice turned
32:29rough.
32:29Fractured.
32:31I deserved
32:32every bit of that.
32:34But that's not why
32:35I'm reaching out to you.
32:40Oh?
32:41Then what?
32:42To catch up?
32:47I'm sorry,
32:47Mr. 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.
33:13What 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,
33:30his voice was utterly wrecked.
33:33Without Kelly,
33:34I got to the bottom of it.
33:36It was Madeleine.
33:37She used to be the screws
33:38on that old railing.
33:40Back then,
33:41I thought it was just an accident.
33:42I was afraid that if my family
33:44found out it was her,
33:45they'd deal with her,
33:46so I...
33:47So you made me the scapegoat?
33:50You let your mother
33:51and your entire family
33:52torture me like I was the one
33:53who killed my own daughter?
33:56My voice trembled uncontrollably.
33:58Not from sorrow,
34:00but from pure fury.
34:04Everett,
34:05your devotion to talent,
34:06your protective instincts,
34:07how impressive.
34:08I should probably applaud you.
34:10Do you have any idea
34:12what Beverly did that day?
34:13She nearly threw me down
34:15that ventilation shaft.
34:16She said she'd make sure
34:17I experienced exactly
34:18how desperate Kelly
34:19must have felt.
34:19I-I didn't know
34:20she'd go that far.
34:21I 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
34:37I'd suppressed
34:38surged up,
34:39cracking through
34:40my carefully constructed calm.
34:41Everett,
34:42nothing you do
34:42means anything to me anymore.
34:44Not 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 Madeline
34:54and let Kelly fall,
34:55the only thing left
34:56between us was hatred.
35:02Listen to me carefully.
35:04Hatred.
35:05Tears welled up uncontrollably,
35:06but I wiped them away instantly,
35:08my voice turning
35:09even colder,
35:10harder.
35:10You risked everything
35:11to 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 other agenda,
35:21take my advice.
35:23Stop while you still can.
35:26Weldl Shield
35:26is not something
35:27you can touch.
35:29Those little games
35:30you've been playing,
35:32they've already caught
35:33the attention of people
35:34far above my pay grade.
35:36Keep going,
35:37and business sanctions
35:38will be the least
35:39of your worries.
35:40I 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
35:47a long time ago.
35:50We were done
35:51the moment I left
35:51that company town
35:52and uploaded that 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
36:29to put you
36:30exactly where you belong.
36:33I 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
36:46door opened.
36:48Vernon and the security
36:49chief stepped in.
36:50their expressions
36:51complicated.
36:52They clearly
36:53hurt everything.
36:59What's this?
37:02Vernon hesitated.
37:06I looked up.
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
37:22report on this incident.
37:23I recommend we report
37:25this immediately
37:25and conduct a full
37:27assessment of the
37:27base's security system.
37:31The security chief looked at me.
37:34Are you all right?
37:34I'm fine.
37:38The orbital calibration data
37:40for Welkin's shield
37:41still needs review.
37:42I'm heading back
37:43to mission control.
37:46I turned and walked out.
37:48My foot stemped steady.
37:49Not a tremor.
37:50Only I knew that somewhere
37:51deep inside,
37:52in that corner of my heart
37:53where I'd stored the last
37:54fragile fragments of my past,
37:55something had finally died.
37:57Along with that conversation.
38:00After that exchange,
38:01the base entered an
38:02unprecedented state
38:03of heightened alert.
38:05Security systems
38:06underwent complete upgrades.
38:07Everett hadn't tried
38:09anything else.
38:10No further
38:11communication attempts.
38:12No new signs
38:13of malicious activity.
38:15It almost felt
38:16as if my resolute
38:17declaration
38:18had actually worked.
38:19But no one
38:20dared relax.
38:21The collapse
38:22of current defense
38:23industries
38:23accelerated faster
38:25than anyone predicted.
38:26The once mighty
38:27empire
38:28had crumbled
38:28to fragments.
38:29I threw myself
38:30back into
38:30Wellcome Shield.
38:32Work became
38:32the 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.
38:47He was no longer
38:47just my deputy.
38:49He developed
38:50into someone
38:51with remarkable talent.
38:53We developed
38:53a shorthand
38:54that didn't require words.
38:56Sometimes a single glance
38:58was enough
38:58to 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
39:17collaboration
39:17made me instinctively
39:18pull back
39:19until the night
39:20the storm came.
39:33A rare,
39:34violent tempest
39:35swept across
39:35the desert.
39:38Damon and I
39:39worked late
39:40into the night
39:40in the lab
39:41trying to
39:42dedock a critical
39:43energy relay
39:43algorithm.
39:44Lightning tore
39:45through the sky
39:46as thunder
39:47crashed and rolled.
39:48Wind howled
39:49as it hurled
39:50sand and gravel
39:51against the
39:51reinforced glass.
40:03Suddenly,
40:04the emergency
40:04lights kicked on.
40:05Backup power
40:06kicked in immediately.
40:10But some
40:10non-essential systems
40:11were still affected,
40:13including the lab's
40:14door locks.
40:20We were trapped
40:21inside.
40:24A 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.
40:54We had to wait
40:56where we were.
41:01The lab existed
41:02now in near-ness,
41:04illuminated by
41:05darkness,
41:06illuminated only
41:07by the emergency
41:08light's dim glow
41:09and the occasional
41:11flash of lightning.
41:12Damon and I
41:13sat side by side
41:14on the edge
41:15of a lab table.
41:16For a long moment,
41:17neither of us spoke.
41:21Mrs. Simpson.
41:22His voice
41:23emerged softly,
41:24almost swallowed
41:25by the dim space
41:26and the thunder.
41:27Have you ever
41:28thought about
41:28what 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
41:38well right now,
41:39that's enough for me.
41:41I fell silent
41:42for a moment
41:43and turned
41:43to look at me.
41:51Sometimes I think
41:53maybe when this
41:54is all over,
41:55I'll go see
41:56the 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
42:16away your troubles?
42:21Um.
42:25It will.
42:27I said
42:28only take Everett.
42:29You should go.
42:31After the project
42:32succeeds.
42:35Will you come
42:35with me?
42:36His question
42:37came suddenly.
42:37His tone careful.
42:39I froze.
42:41Unsure how to answer.
42:42A brilliant flash
42:43of lightning
42:44illuminated the
42:45entire lab.
42:47In that stark
42:48momentary light
42:49I saw it clearly.
42:51The affection
42:52and anticipation
42:52in his eyes.
42:54There for me to read
42:55before he could
42:56conceal it.
43:00I stood abruptly
43:01and walked to the
43:02large observation window.
43:04In the distance.
43:06Pale streaks
43:07of dawn
43:07pushing through
43:08the darkness
43:09that had held
43:10us 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
43:21sworn to guard
43:21were embracing
43:23a new dawn.
43:24I didn't turn around
43:25but my fingers
43:27which had been
43:27clenched tight
43:28at my sides
43:30slowly uncurled.
43:36and just barely
43:37they brushed
43:38against the hand
43:39Damon had rested
43:40on the windowsill
43:41beside me.
43:42I wasn't ready.
43:45But for the first time
43:47in three years
43:52I thought maybe
43:55someday
43:56I could be.
43:59I could be.
44:00I could be.
44:00I could be.
44:01I see you.
44:01I could be.
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