- 12 minutes ago
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:00Sarah Lutzka, my adoptive sister, Serafina, drove drunk and hit Rafael Vargas' leg.
00:05Fuck!
00:05The Vargas family runs the largest criminal syndicate in South America.
00:09My father is just an ordinary business tycoon, so my birth parents didn't hesitate long.
00:13They shoved me into that black SUV.
00:15You're gonna take the blame for Sarah. She's fragile.
00:18She can't handle that kind of environment.
00:20You're used to suffering. Time will pass quickly.
00:23The men in black suits behind me forced me to my knees.
00:26My parents walked back into the villa without looking back.
00:29Sarah watched from the second floor window, looking down at me with a smug smile on her lips.
00:34That night, I was locked in a basement. They beat me for three days straight.
00:38From then on, during the day I served as Rafael Vargas' slave, making his bed, bringing his meals, cleaning his
00:43bandages, and being cursed and kicked.
00:45At night, I was locked back in the basement, where others took turns tormenting me.
00:49What waited for me was fists, belts, and cold water.
00:52Until one month later, I crouched in a storage closet with a stolen phone.
00:56I dialed my fiancé, Dominic Castellano.
00:59He was away from Chicago, negotiating an arms deal.
01:01I waited, trembling, but he hung up on me.
01:04He just sent me one text.
01:05A few months.
01:06It'll pass quickly.
01:07Serafina is fragile.
01:08You should understand them.
01:09Then every...
01:10Seven months later, the Vargas family dumped me in front of a black escalade.
01:14I limped forward a few steps.
01:16The tinted window caught my reflection, cheekbones jutting out, hollowed cheeks, a jagged scar running from my right brow bone
01:22down to my jaw.
01:23I'd done that myself, with a short dagger.
01:26Because if I hadn't destroyed that face, what would have happened to me in that basement would have been far
01:30worse than beatings.
01:31The car door opened.
01:32Vivian, these seven months, I know it's been hard on you.
01:35He took my skeletal wrist in his hand.
01:36I'll make it right.
01:37I slowly pulled my hand free.
01:39His hand lingered in midair for a moment, then dropped.
01:42We got in the car.
01:43He broke the silence again.
01:44We all remembered you were coming home today.
01:47Palpitations flared up again.
01:49Your parents and Marcus are all at the hospital with her right now.
01:52When we get home, just rest.
01:5521 years ago, when I was two, I got lost in a shopping mall.
01:58My mother, heartbroken.
01:59Orphanage who looked like me.
02:00Serafina, at 15.
02:02My parents finally found me, but they never loved me.
02:04I always had to defer to Sarah.
02:06And seven months ago, they forced me to take the fall for her crime.
02:09Compared to Sarah, I was the one who felt like the adopted outsider.
02:12Now, after seven months in captivity, two months in captivity, 210 days and nights.
02:17It was enough to see Dominic and my family for what they truly were.
02:20They didn't love me, and I didn't want to marry him anymore.
02:24Back at the Langford estate, only the housekeeper and the staff were there.
02:28Mr. Castellano, welcome.
02:29The housekeeper greeted Dominic with deference, then finally spared me a glance.
02:33You, Madam Langford, asked me to pass along a message.
02:37Now that you're back, don't show yourself around.
02:40Too scandalous.
02:42Scandalous.
02:42I was the one who took the fall for Sarah's crime.
02:45And yet somehow, I was the disgrace.
02:47But I just nodded.
02:48Okay.
02:49I was about to go inside when Dominic took a phone call.
02:52After hanging up, he said,
02:53Vivian, Sarah's not feeling well again.
02:55She needs me.
02:55I'll head over there first and come see you tomorrow.
02:57He left without looking back.
02:59I returned to the decrepit attic.
03:00My room for the past six years.
03:02Just a bare coat, a few secondhand books, and some threadbare clothes.
03:05I reached under the blanket and found the phone.
03:07The screen lit up.
03:08An encrypted email.
03:10The next morning, I came downstairs to find Sarah sitting in the center of the sofa in a white sundress.
03:15My parents flanked her on either side.
03:16Marcus leaned against the fireplace.
03:18Dominic had one hand draped over the back of her chair.
03:20Intimate.
03:21The housekeeper brought out a cake.
03:22Housekeeper brought out a cake.
03:24Happy birthday, Sarah.
03:25Thank you, Mom, Dad.
03:27Thank you, Marcus.
03:28And my dear...
03:29Oh, wait.
03:30I mean, Dominic.
03:31She stuck out her tongue the way she always did.
03:33I know I can't eat cake, but you always pick them up.
03:35So, did you all get me presents?
03:38My parents and Marcus handed over their gifts one by one.
03:40Dominic was reaching into his pocket when he noticed me standing in the shadow.
03:44Vivian, you're up.
03:45Come join us.
03:46We're celebrating Sarah's birthday.
03:48He waved me over.
03:49My parents and Marcus' expressions froze instantly.
03:52Sarah didn't move from her seat.
03:53Her voice came out sweet and innocent.
03:55Vivian, I wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I couldn't come pick you up.
04:00You don't blame me, do you?
04:01Before I could speak, Dominic cut in.
04:02Vivian is sensible.
04:03She wouldn't hold that against you.
04:04Then Sarah hooked her arm through his and smiled at me.
04:07So, Vivian, today's my birthday.
04:10How about you give me Dominic as a gift?
04:13Everyone in the room just stared at me in silence, including my fiancé.
04:17I smiled faintly.
04:18And if I refuse?
04:19Then she switched to Italian.
04:20They'd always assumed I knew nothing, having grown up in an orphanage.
04:23Stavo solo scherzando.
04:24Perché Vivian deve sempre rendere tutto così serio e imbarazzante?
04:28Non essere triste, tesoro.
04:30Vivian è abituata a vivere in mezzo a quella gente misera e fatta così, grata e piena di affezione.
04:36Non battarle.
04:37Sarah, non abbasciarti al suo livello.
04:39In ogni caso, io e tua madre ti abbiamo sempre considerata una figlia nostra, a tutti gli effetti.
04:44Marcus scoffe.
04:45Non dare retta a quella pacca, Sarah.
04:47Tu sarai sempre la mia unica sorella.
04:48What a dumb and turn to Dominic.
04:50What are they talking about?
04:51Something flickered behind those deep-set eyes.
04:53Sarah said she was just joking.
04:55Everyone's telling you not to overthink it.
04:57I still don't know how Dominic and my family managed to lie to my face without even flinching.
05:01They didn't know that I understood every single word after I was brought back at 15.
05:05I taught myself Italian, French, and Danish to fit in with this family.
05:08But they never cared enough to notice.
05:10They'd all forgotten.
05:10Today was also my birthday.
05:12Over the next few days, I kept up my routine, working odd jobs during the day, preparing
05:16for my departure.
05:17That night, I came home to find everyone waiting for me in the living room.
05:20My parents, Marcus, Sarah, and Dominic.
05:22My mother...
05:23My father shot her a look.
05:27Viviana, there you are.
05:29Sit down.
05:30We need to talk.
05:31The doctors say Sarah's mental health is deteriorating.
05:35And given your current condition, so we've made it a decision for you.
05:40So we've made it a decision for you.
05:42We're transferring your engagement to Dominic over to Sarah.
05:45You won't have a problem with that, will you?
05:48Her eyes swept over my room and I shifted my gaze to Dominic.
05:50You agreed to this?
05:53Sarah's only wish right now is to marry me.
05:55We just want to keep her stable.
05:56Dominic rose from the sofa and walked over to me, reaching for my hand.
06:00Don't worry, Vivian.
06:01It's only a ceremony to make her happy.
06:03It's temporary.
06:04I won't betray you.
06:05I pulled away from his hand.
06:06His expression faltered.
06:07And he added, besides a few years ago when I was injured, she gave me her kidney.
06:11I can't refuse her.
06:12Every drop of blood in my body went numb.
06:15Three years ago, he was ambushed on the way to a meeting.
06:17I was the one who got to the hospital first.
06:19I was the one who lay on that operating table and gave him a kidney.
06:22But I'd never stopped wondering why.
06:24Why, when I woke up, there was no one beside me but cold, empty air.
06:27Rounded by Sarah.
06:28It wasn't her.
06:29When you were hurt, my voice was barely a whisper.
06:30It was me who donated that kidney.
06:33Not Sarah.
06:33But as the words fell, the living room sank into a strange silence.
06:37Everyone wore that familiar expression.
06:39Irritation.
06:39Disgust.
06:40Vivian Langfield.
06:41Sarah saved me.
06:43Your parents and the doctors can all confirm it.
06:45I don't know why you'd fabricate something like this, but you've truly disappointed me.
06:48He didn't believe me.
06:49Like this, but you've truly disappointed me.
06:50He didn't believe me.
06:51I didn't argue.
06:52I turned and walked back to my room.
06:54If you don't believe me, then forget it.
06:55I laughed at myself and a tear slid down my cheek.
06:58The next evening, Sarah threw a bachelorette party.
07:01The Langford estate was decorated like a fairytale castle.
07:04Dominic cornered me in the hallway.
07:06Come sit downstairs for a bit, Vivian.
07:08He grabbed my hand and pulled me firmly down to the living room.
07:11Dominic, get over here!
07:12A girl with honey blonde hair waved excitedly from beside Sarah, pointing at the empty bottle on the floor.
07:17You missed your turn.
07:18Truth or dare?
07:20Dare?
07:21The blonde grinned suggestively.
07:23Oh my god!
07:25Vivian, he's...
07:26Total appetite killer.
07:29Her eyes gleamed with cruelty.
07:30Wait, wait, wait.
07:31That makes it even more fun.
07:34Since Vivian's here too, Dominic, pick one of the two sisters to kiss.
07:38The room erupted in laughter.
07:40How generous of you, giving her a chance to touch a man.
07:43Any man would be disgusted looking at that face.
07:45Shut up!
07:46Dominic spoke.
07:47Then he walked toward me and extended his hand.
07:49That's when Sarah called out softly.
07:52Dominic!
07:52His raised hand froze instantly.
07:54He turned to glance at her, then looked back at me.
07:56Once again, I read what was in his eyes.
07:58There are so many...
07:59Me.
07:59Once again, I read what was in his eyes.
08:01There are so many people here, I can't humiliate her.
08:03You understand, right?
08:04He said under his breath.
08:05I just gave a quiet mmmm.
08:07Then, I watched him turn around and kiss Sarah.
08:12That night, I sat alone in the darkness of the attic, watching enormous fireworks explode over the Langford estate.
08:17Then hundreds and thousands of drones assembled in the night sky, spelling out a line of glittering words.
08:23Dominic loves Sarah forever.
08:25Light flooded in from every direction.
08:26But what I saw behind the blinding bear bulb in the Vargas basement, the barbed iron rods, the salt water,
08:32countless fists, and open palms.
08:33One of the times, I was whipped awake with a belt.
08:36Someone ground their boot into my face and sneered.
08:39Family doesn't give a damn whether you live or die.
08:42Threw the blood in my mouth.
08:43So, it was Dominic.
08:44He didn't care if I died.
08:46Fireworks outside.
08:47Finally ended.
08:48I pulled a sheet of white paper and a pen from the drawer.
08:51I wrote my farewell in Italian.
08:52Leonard and Catherine, you never loved me.
08:55From the day I walked through that door, you were waiting for me to leave.
08:58Now you have your wish, Marcus.
09:00Congratulations.
09:01From now on, you only have one sister.
09:03Dominic.
09:04I'll never wait for you again.
09:05I placed the letter on the hallway floor outside the attic door.
09:08Then I stood in the door.
09:09I placed the letter on the hallway floor outside the attic door.
09:11Then I stood in the doorway and tossed the candle flame onto those old, worn clothes.
09:15The fire spread fast.
09:17I walked into the night without looking back.
09:18A black Escalade pulled into the Langford estate's driveway.
09:21Dominic wore a dark gray overcoat, carrying a paper bag inside, a scarf, and a box of macarons.
09:26He rehearsed his words in the car window's reflection.
09:28Vivian, about last night, I handled it badly.
09:31But you know how those situations...
09:33And he heard the screaming.
09:35Fire!
09:35The attic's on fire!
09:37He whipped around and saw the roiling orange glow in the attic window.
09:40The paper bag slipped from his hand.
09:43Vivian!
09:44He charged toward the front door.
09:45Two firefighters blocked him.
09:48Sir, you can't go in.
09:49She's in there!
09:50My fiancé's still there!
09:51Let me in!
09:52Catherine collapsed on the lawn, hands over her face,
09:55sobbing in broken gasps.
09:57Leonard held her, his own body visibly shaken.
09:59Marcus stood on the porch steps.
10:01No.
10:01She's punishing us.
10:03She got out first, then set fire to make us feel guilty.
10:05She wants us to suffer!
10:07She's...
10:07Beside him, head bowed, brow furrowed,
10:09her expression deeper than anyone had ever seen it.
10:11Fifteen minutes later, the fire was finally out.
10:14The roof beam had collapsed, crashing onto the charred floor.
10:16The firefighters brought out something on a stretcher, charred,
10:19crashing onto the charred floor.
10:20The firefighters brought out something on a stretcher, charred,
10:23completely unrecognizable, except for the scar on the right side of the face,
10:27running from brow bone to jaw.
10:29Dominic stood beside the stretcher, motionless.
10:31He recognized that scar.
10:34Vivian!
10:36No!
10:37The Langford estate was smothered in ash and silence.
10:41Catherine sat on the living room carpet, hands shaking without end.
10:44Why?
10:45Why would she?
10:47Leonard stood beside her, his face the color of dead ash.
10:51Dominic stood at the end of the hallway,
10:53gripping a small, charred strip of satin ribbon from a ballet slipper.
10:58The...
10:59The...
10:59A firefighter handed Marcus a white envelope.
11:02Sir, this envelope was found outside the attic door.
11:06Marcus tore it open and pulled out the paper.
11:09Both sides were covered in Italian.
11:11To Leonard and Catherine.
11:13Marcus, congratulations.
11:16D'ora in poi avrai soltanto sera come sorella.
11:18And the tear-stained line, written to Dominic.
11:22Non ti aspettero mai più.
11:23Marcus felt the blood draining from his face.
11:26Drop by drop.
11:28After a moment of numb shock,
11:30Sss, drop by drop.
11:32After a moment of numb shock,
11:34he was about to bring the letter to his parents.
11:36Sierra lurched off the sofa and stumbled toward them.
11:40It's all my fault, Vivian.
11:44I'm sorry.
11:46If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have...
11:48Her body went limp,
11:49and she crumpled against Catherine.
11:52Sarah! Sarah!
11:54The ambulance took the entire family to the hospital within 20 minutes.
11:58In the corridor outside the ER, Marcus stopped the attending physician.
12:02Please, take extra care of her health, especially her kidneys.
12:06She had a transplant a few years ago.
12:08She's only got one kidney left.
12:09Her health has always been fragile.
12:11He paused.
12:12His throat worked visibly.
12:13Please, do everything you can.
12:16She's the only sister I have left.
12:18The doctor looked confused.
12:19Mr. Langford, I think there may be some mistake.
12:22Your sister's health is perfectly fine.
12:23Both kidneys are intact.
12:25She's never had surgery.
12:28Hospital room.
12:29Sarah leaned back against the pill gown.
12:31Catherine sat at the bedside holding her hand.
12:33Leonard was in a chair by the window.
12:35Then the door slammed open with a bang.
12:38Catherine immediately frowned.
12:40Marcus.
12:41Slammed open with a bang.
12:43Catherine immediately frowned.
12:44Marcus.
12:45Keep it down.
12:47Your sister hasn't...
12:48She is not my sister.
12:50Marcus, what nonsense are you...
12:52Marcus didn't answer.
12:53He walked straight to the opposite side of the bed,
12:55pulled documents from his briefcase,
12:57and laid them out one by one.
12:59This is from the Castellano family's surgical archive.
13:02Three years ago, Dominic was attacked
13:04and needed an emergency kidney transplant.
13:06Donor compatibility report,
13:08preoperative consent, surgical records.
13:09The name signed on it is Vivian Langfield.
13:15Sarah's eyes darted away.
13:17Second document,
13:18the Langford family's financial records over six years.
13:22The monthly living allowance mom and dad
13:24had had a finance transfer to Vivian.
13:26Six years, 72 payments,
13:28not a single cent reached her account.
13:30Every payment was intercepted and rerouted
13:33into a secondary account under Vivian's name.
13:35He paused.
13:36The actual holder of that account was Sarah.
13:39Last one.
13:40Marcus's eyes rimmed red.
13:42The Vargas communication logs.
13:44The girl doesn't matter.
13:46Kill her if you want.
13:47Just say it's Dominic's orders.
13:48The color drained completely from Dominic's face.
13:52Vivian.
13:53The color drained completely from Dominic's face.
13:57Vivian.
13:57In that hell.
13:59I believe.
13:59The person who wanted her dead was him.
14:02Dominic turned on Sarah.
14:04You.
14:05His voice a barely-stained snarl.
14:08What did you do?
14:11Sarah's body jerked.
14:13First, she clutched her chest,
14:15panting rapidly.
14:16But this time,
14:16everyone just watched.
14:18Mommy.
14:18Mommy, you have to believe me.
14:22Catherine took a step back.
14:24Sarah's tears finally fell.
14:26Then her expression twisted into something raw.
14:29Terrified.
14:30So what?
14:32After Vivian came back,
14:33you changed Dominic.
14:34The way you looked at her changed.
14:35I could feel it.
14:36You think I didn't know?
14:37If you took her side,
14:38everyone else would follow eventually.
14:39You all say you love me,
14:40but I'll never measure up to biological daughter.
14:43You forced my hand.
14:44A slap.
14:45Leonard hit her.
14:48What the hell did you do?
14:50You're nothing but a thief,
14:51a liar,
14:52a snake.
14:54You stole everything from her.
15:00Break her legs.
15:03No!
15:04You can't do this,
15:05Dominic!
15:05Break her legs.
15:08No!
15:09You can't do this,
15:10Dominic!
15:11And I'm your wife!
15:12My wife will only ever be Viviana.
15:14No, please!
15:15Dad, Mom,
15:16help me!
15:17Dominic,
15:17you love me!
15:18You do love me!
15:19Don't do this to me!
15:21You killed her,
15:22not me!
15:23All of you were blind and deaf all by yourselves!
15:26You chose not to love her!
15:28Why?
15:29Why is it all on me?
15:30Dominic just looked at her.
15:32Send her to the Vargas family.
15:34Tell them she's the one who hit Raphael.
15:36She lied to everyone.
15:37He paused for one second.
15:38So,
15:39kill her if you want.
15:40Sarah was dragged out of the room.
15:41Her screams echoed down the corridor
15:43all the way to the elevator bank,
15:45then cut off the instant the doors closed.
15:47The hospital room fell silent.
15:48Leonard stood by the window.
15:51What have we been doing all these years?
15:54Then he turned slowly,
15:55but the moment he took a step,
15:57his body seized.
15:58His right hand clawed at his left chest
16:00and collapsed.
16:01Marcus lunged for him.
16:01Dad!
16:05Copenhagen.
16:05After a year and a half of rehab,
16:07my leg improved considerably.
16:09Day-to-day walking.
16:10Ballet was over forever.
16:12I workshop.
16:12The owner's name was Ingrid.
16:14Mid-fifties.
16:15Half Chinese.
16:16Half Danish.
16:17Gray.
16:17I workshop.
16:18The owner's name was Ingrid.
16:19Mid-fifties.
16:21Half Chinese.
16:22Half Danish.
16:23Gray-white hair.
16:24And deep wrinkles fanning from her eyes
16:26when she smiled.
16:27She always smiled.
16:27Her gaze rested on the scar on my face
16:29for less than half a second
16:31before moving on.
16:34Kitchen's in the back.
16:35Apron's in the second drawer.
16:38Do you know how to make coffee?
16:41Yes.
16:42Be here at 6.30 tomorrow to open up.
16:44From that day on,
16:45I arrived at 6.30 every morning,
16:48wiping down the chalkboard menu by the door,
16:49rewriting the day's specials in chalk,
16:51grinding beans,
16:53picking Danish pastries,
16:54rearranging books
16:55that had gathered too much dust on the shelves.
16:57In the corner,
16:57sit at the window with me the necessary.
16:59Sometimes she'd pat the top of my head,
17:01her voice gentle.
17:07Beautiful day, Astrid.
17:09Then she'd set a cup of chamomile tea beside me
17:12and walk away.
17:13I never called her mom,
17:14but the chamomile scent that clung to her
17:16and the warmth of her rough palm
17:18on the crown of my head.
17:22Days passed like that.
17:24Summer daylight stretches until ten at night,
17:26autumn chestnuts dropping onto the shop.
17:29The first snow of winter...
17:30Summer daylight stretches until ten at night,
17:32autumn chestnuts dropping onto the shop.
17:35The first snow of winter always arrives
17:37at the end of November,
17:38turning the entire coastline
17:40the color of lead.
17:41Then afternoon,
17:42a Danish dance company
17:43was filming a promotional video
17:44in the square outside the bookshop.
17:46They had multiple cameras set up,
17:48live-streaming simultaneously.
17:49They spun and leaped in the sea breeze,
17:52their bodies as supple as paper cranes
17:54folded by God's own hand.
17:55I stood behind the glass,
17:57one hand resting on the window frame,
17:59watching for a long time.
18:00I didn't know the live-stream camera
18:02had caught me.
18:02In the frame,
18:03a slender girl standing behind
18:05the cafe's glass window,
18:06a familiar...
18:09Chicago,
18:10Dominic had lost a lot of weight,
18:12functional by day,
18:13sitting in silence
18:14in his dark office at night.
18:15Ever since his boss
18:16hasn't smiled once.
18:17Late one night,
18:18he was sitting by the window,
18:19having just taken a sip of whiskey.
18:21His phone buzzed.
18:22Social media video link,
18:23a replay from a Danish dance company's
18:25live-streamed.
18:25What?
18:26Did you send this by mistake?
18:28Then a familiar figure
18:30appeared on screen.
18:31His eyes went wide.
18:32He took a screenshot,
18:33zoomed in,
18:34enhanced the image.
18:35His body went rigid.
18:36James' message followed.
18:37Sir,
18:38I could be wrong.
18:39To Copenhagen.
18:40Book the fastest flight.
18:43Sir,
18:44I could be wrong.
18:45To Copenhagen.
18:47Book the fastest flight.
18:50Dominic reached the bookshop
18:51at three in the afternoon.
18:52The door was open.
18:54Warm,
18:54amber lights
18:55spilled through the glass.
18:56The air smelled of
18:57fresh ground coffee
18:58and butter pastries.
19:00Before he even made it
19:01to the entrance,
19:02a gray-haired woman
19:03stepped out from behind
19:04the counter
19:04and blocked the doorway.
19:06Ingrid looked at him.
19:07She doesn't want to see you.
19:10Dominic held her gaze
19:11for three seconds.
19:12His eyes reddened.
19:13I can wait.
19:15He waited three days.
19:16The first day,
19:17he stood by the bench
19:18across from the bookshop,
19:19from open to close.
19:21When Ingrid pulled down
19:22the shutters,
19:22she glanced at him once
19:24and said nothing.
19:24The second day,
19:25it snowed.
19:27He switched to a heavier coat
19:28and stood in the same spot.
19:30He sat on the street bench,
19:32hands in his pockets,
19:33eyes fixed on the figure
19:34inside the cafe.
19:36The fourth day,
19:38Catherine and Marcus arrived.
19:43The three of them
19:44stood outside the cafe door.
19:45Then Ingrid carried a tablet
19:47to the back kitchen
19:48and handed it to me,
19:49on screen,
19:50the corner of his mouth
19:51slightly drooping.
19:52His eyes stared directly
19:54into the camera.
19:55This...
19:55Come home.
19:57The corner of his mouth
19:58slightly drooping.
19:59His eyes stared directly
20:01into the camera.
20:02This...
20:02Come home.
20:04I finished watching.
20:05I walked through the shop
20:06and pushed open the front door.
20:08Catherine and Marcus
20:09were kneeling in the snow.
20:10Her knees sank
20:11into the thin layer of white.
20:13The head of her coat
20:14was darkened with meltwater.
20:15She looked up at me,
20:17her wrinkles so much deeper
20:18than I remembered.
20:19The moment she saw me,
20:20the tears came.
20:21I'm not asking you
20:23to forgive me.
20:24I just...
20:24Please, let me see you.
20:26Let me see if you're okay.
20:29This is Langford.
20:31Catherine's entire body flinched.
20:33Vivian Langford died in that fire.
20:35You're the ones
20:36who drove her to it.
20:38Then I stepped back
20:39and closed the door.
20:41Dominic and the others
20:41waited outside the shop
20:42all day without seeing Vivian.
20:44Near closing time,
20:45Dominic took out his phone.
20:46Get me her address
20:47in Copenhagen.
20:48She wore a dark,
20:49gray, cashmere shawl.
20:51Gray, white hair
20:51drifting in the sea breeze.
20:54Her gaze finally settled
20:56on Dominic.
20:57What do you think
20:58you're doing?
20:58We just want to see her,
21:01to make amends,
21:02to make yourselves
21:03feel better.
21:04Have you asked yourselves
21:05one question?
21:06Does she still want it?
21:08The love of the people
21:09who hurt her this deeply,
21:11does she still...
21:11You asked yourselves
21:12one question.
21:14Does she still want it?
21:16The love of the people
21:17who hurt her this deeply,
21:18does she still want it?
21:19Dominic said nothing.
21:20The wind whipped
21:21the hem of his coat
21:22with a sharp snapping sound.
21:24It took her three years
21:25to learn to breathe again.
21:27She has a job now.
21:29Friends, peaceful days.
21:31Someone makes her tea.
21:32Someone remembers her birthday.
21:34And your presence here
21:35will only rip out
21:35every root she spent
21:36three years putting down.
21:38If you truly feel
21:39you owe her,
21:40she paused,
21:41then never appear
21:42before her again.
21:44No one spoke for a long time.
21:45Streetlamp cast amber pools
21:46on the snow.
21:47In the distance,
21:48a fairy horn sounded
21:49long and low.
21:50Finally,
21:50Catherine moved first,
21:51turned slowly,
21:52unsteady on her feet.
21:53Marcus glanced at Ingrid,
21:54gave a small nod of his head.
21:56Then he followed Catherine.
21:57Dominic's gaze
21:58passed over Ingrid's shoulder
21:59to the shut door
21:59of the bookshop.
22:00Then he, too.
22:04That night,
22:05Copenhagen received
22:06its heaviest snowfall
22:07of the winter.
22:09Dominic came to
22:09her apartment door anyway.
22:11He hesitated,
22:12then knocked.
22:14Vivian,
22:16it's me,
22:17Dominic.
22:18The door handle
22:19rattled slightly.
22:20His breath caught,
22:21but the door didn't open.
22:23I know you probably
22:24don't want to hear this.
22:25The door handle
22:26rattled slightly.
22:27His breath caught,
22:29but the door didn't open.
22:31I know you probably
22:32don't want to hear this,
22:33but I need to say it.
22:35I don't know if I'll ever
22:36get another chance.
22:37He tilted his head back,
22:38staring at the dim hallway
22:40bulb overhead,
22:40and let out a bitter
22:41half-laugh.
22:42That day you told me
22:43the kidney donor was you,
22:45not Sarah.
22:49I didn't believe you.
22:51I called you a liar.
22:52That's probably the most
22:54unforgivable thing
22:55I've done in my entire life.
22:56He stood at her door,
22:57eyes rimmed red.
22:59When you came back
22:59from the Vargas estate,
23:00I saw your face,
23:01your leg.
23:01It hurt.
23:02It did.
23:03But I didn't do anything.
23:05I didn't even ask
23:06what you went through
23:07in those seven months.
23:08I just told myself
23:09she's alive,
23:10that's enough,
23:11and went right back
23:12to comforting Sarah
23:13because she was crying.
23:16Because she was
23:17falling apart.
23:18Because everyone
23:19said she needed me.
23:20But you needed me too.
23:22He pressed his hands
23:24to his face.
23:25Tears leaked
23:26between his fingers.
23:27You needed me
23:28more than anyone,
23:29and I gave you nothing.
23:31Then I read your letter,
23:33written in Italian.
23:35You understood the whole time.
23:37Said in front of you,
23:38you heard every word.
23:41Written in Italian.
23:43You understood the whole time.
23:46Said in front of you,
23:46you heard every word.
23:50Vivian,
23:51how much pain
23:52were you in?
23:53Alone in that attic,
23:54listening to us
23:55insult you
23:56in a language
23:56you understood perfectly,
23:57how did you bear it?
24:02I've been looking for you
24:03for three years.
24:05Every single day,
24:06I think,
24:07if I'd believed you then,
24:08if I hadn't agreed
24:09to marry Sarah,
24:11if that night at the party
24:12I'd chosen you,
24:13but there are no ifs.
24:15Vivian, I'm sorry.
24:16I'm sorry,
24:17for everything.
24:18Then he bent down
24:19and set something small
24:20on the floor.
24:22This belongs to you.
24:24It's always belonged to you.
24:26Finally,
24:26his voice breaking.
24:27Goodbye.
24:29The next morning,
24:30I opened the door.
24:31On the floor lay a ring.
24:33White, gold, simple.
24:34No gemstone.
24:35Just two initials
24:36engraved on the inside
24:37of the band.
24:38V and D.
24:39That was the ring
24:40he'd pulled from his pocket
24:41at 18,
24:42crouching in a garden corner.
24:43His hands were clumsy.
24:44It took him two tries
24:45to slide it
24:46onto my ring finger.
24:49Vivian,
24:51my wife will only ever be you.
24:53When he said those words,
24:54sunlight was falling
24:55across his profile.
24:57Those were the happiest
24:58three seconds of my life.
24:59And later,
25:00when I was shoved
25:00into the Vargas family's
25:01black SUV,
25:02it was ripped
25:03from my finger by force.
25:05I thought I'd never see it again.
25:06I crouched down
25:07and looked at the ring
25:08lying on the floor.
25:09It reflected a faint glint
25:11of light in the morning stillness.
25:13with only the soft pat
25:14against the floor.
25:15I cried,
25:16and not for Dominic,
25:17not for the Langford family,
25:18for the 15-year-old girl,
25:20for the girl
25:21who was so full of joy
25:22when they found her.
25:23A room of her own,
25:24someone to buy her a cake
25:25on her birthday.
25:26She thought she finally
25:27had a home,
25:28a mom and dad,
25:29a brother,
25:30a sister.
25:30Someone rubbed her back
25:31when she had nightmares.
25:32She thought she'd never
25:33be an orphan again.
25:34She believed every promise,
25:36every I love you,
25:37that ring.
25:37My wife will only
25:39ever be you.
25:40She believed so hard
25:42it could have broken her,
25:43and she was wrong,
25:44but it wasn't her fault.
25:45I stared at that ring
25:46for a long time.
25:47Then I wiped my eyes,
25:49stood up,
25:50stepped back,
25:50and closed the door.
25:51The ring stayed
25:52where it was.
25:53It belonged to
25:54another person's story,
25:55a story that was
25:56already over.
25:57It didn't belong to me.
26:01Months later,
26:02a letter arrived
26:03at my Copenhagen address
26:04from Chicago.
26:05The postmark gave it away.
26:07It was from Marcus,
26:07I opened it anyway.
26:09The letter said
26:09a lot of things.
26:10Leonard's condition fluctuated
26:12on his lucid days.
26:13He kept asking
26:14the same question
26:15over and over.
26:16Where's my daughter Vivienne?
26:18Catherine had lost
26:19so much weight.
26:20Her hair had gone
26:21completely white.
26:22Marcus had taken over
26:23most of the family's affairs.
26:24I'm sorry,
26:25Vivienne,
26:26for everything.
26:26I'll never forgive myself
26:28for the things I said to you.
26:29I don't mean to impose.
26:30I just want you to know,
26:32my only sister
26:32was always you.
26:33At the end of the letter,
26:34he attached a video link.
26:36I picked up my phone
26:36and typed in the UR shell.
26:38A disheveled woman
26:39curled up
26:40on some street corner.
26:41Vivienne,
26:42don't come looking for me.
26:43It was your fault all along!
26:45Why did you have to come back?
26:47You were supposed
26:47to stay a worthless nobody!
26:49People on the sidewalk
26:50quickened their pace.
26:51I closed the video.
26:52Then,
26:52I placed the letter
26:53and the envelope
26:54together in the kitchen sink
26:55and struck a match.
26:56The paper curled,
26:58blackened,
26:58crumbled to ash.
26:59I turned on the faucet
27:00and washed the ashes
27:01down the drain.
27:02It was over.
27:03All of it.
27:03Truly over.
27:05Another two weeks
27:06have passed.
27:07I went to work as usual,
27:08shelving books,
27:09making coffee,
27:10and occasionally chatting
27:12with the different customers
27:13who wandered in,
27:14as if I had forgotten everything.
27:15But I knew Dominic
27:16hadn't left.
27:17Every day,
27:18he sat on the bench
27:19across the street
27:20from the bookstore,
27:21from sunrise to sunset.
27:22That evening,
27:23I locked up the bookstore.
27:24The day's unsold bread
27:25cradled in my arms
27:26as I prepared to head home.
27:28As soon as I turned around,
27:29a familiar voice stopped me.
27:31Vivian.
27:32I stopped walking.
27:33Dominic stood by the door.
27:34He was wearing
27:34a dark gray cashmere coat
27:36and holding a bouquet
27:37of white tulips
27:38in his arms.
27:39Today...
27:39He glanced down
27:40at the flowers,
27:41his voice tightening slightly.
27:42It's the anniversary
27:43of the day we first met.
27:44I looked straight at him.
27:45Dominic's hand
27:46gradually tightened
27:47around the bouquet.
27:48You were 15 that year,
27:49standing in the garden
27:50with a bouquet
27:51of tunips in your arms,
27:52when you came over
27:53to say hello to me.
27:54You were beautiful.
27:56I've never forgotten it.
27:57He held the flowers out to me,
27:58giving me a nervous smile.
28:00These are for you.
28:01I didn't take them.
28:02Silence settled between us
28:03for several seconds.
28:04Then,
28:05as if he had suddenly
28:05remembered something,
28:06he hurriedly pulled
28:07a silver key
28:08from his pocket.
28:09And there's something else.
28:10I bought a cafe
28:11and a bookstore
28:12in the next neighborhood,
28:13over in transit.
28:13He held the key out to me.
28:15From now on,
28:15you'll be able to...
28:16I don't need them.
28:17I cut him off
28:18without expression.
28:19Dominic's off
28:19without expression.
28:20Dominic's smile froze.
28:22Viv, I just...
28:23I just don't want you
28:24to have to work so hard.
28:25Finally,
28:26I raised my eyes.
28:27I looked at him calmly.
28:28Dominic,
28:29have you forgotten?
28:30When I was struggling
28:31the most,
28:32you hung up on me.
28:33Snow began to fall again.
28:35Dominic's eyes were red
28:36and his voice was hoarse.
28:38Vivian,
28:40I know
28:42nothing I do now
28:43can make it up to you.
28:46But
28:47I just want to do
28:48everything I can
28:49to give you
28:49whatever might make you happy.
28:51Actually,
28:52I do want something.
28:53I spoke softly.
28:54Dominic's head snapped up,
28:55hope reigniting in his eyes.
28:57His lips had just parted
28:58when I spoke,
28:59enunciating every word.
29:01What I need most right now
29:04is you,
29:05never showing up
29:06in front of me again.
29:08For a moment,
29:08the entire street
29:09seemed to fall silent,
29:10leaving only the sound
29:11of the wind.
29:12Dominic's face went rigid,
29:14but he stood there
29:14without moving
29:15for a long time.
29:16Finally,
29:17he lowered his head
29:18and let out a quiet,
29:20bitter laugh.
29:21I understand.
29:22I tightened my arms
29:23around the things
29:24I was carrying
29:25and turned away.
29:26I didn't look back.
29:27Over the next few days,
29:28look back.
29:29Over the next few days,
29:30Dominic didn't appear again.
29:31The bookstore remained
29:32the same as always.
29:33That afternoon,
29:34I was organizing
29:35a shipment
29:35of newly arrived books.
29:37Suddenly,
29:38the wind chime
29:38above the door ran.
29:41The click of leather shoes
29:42drew closer and closer.
29:44Dominic.
29:45I looked up
29:46and spoke with a hint
29:47of exasperation.
29:48What do you want this time?
29:50My voice cut off abruptly.
29:51I turned
29:52and saw a face
29:53I would never forget
29:54for as long as I lived.
29:55Rafael Vargas,
29:56the demon who had
29:57tortured me for seven months.
29:59Now,
29:59he was staring straight at me,
30:01the corner of his mouth
30:02curling into a faint smile.
30:04Long time no see.
30:07Little Viv.
30:08The color drained
30:09from my lips.
30:10My voice tremored
30:11beyond my control.
30:13Rafael Vargas.
30:14Little Viv.
30:16The name sent echoes
30:16of agonized screams
30:18and midnight torment
30:19howling through my mind.
30:20My body moved faster
30:21than my thoughts.
30:22I stepped back instinctively
30:23and knocked over
30:24a stack of books
30:25at my feet.
30:25Rafael walked in slowly.
30:27Relax, Vivian.
30:29Just a chat.
30:30I stared at him,
30:31forcing myself
30:32to stay composed.
30:33You already know,
30:33the person who hit you
30:34with the car,
30:35it wasn't me.
30:36There is nothing for us.
30:37It wasn't me.
30:38There is nothing
30:39for us to talk about.
30:40Rafael stopped.
30:41He brushed the snow
30:42from the shoulder
30:42of his black coat
30:43and let a cryptic smile
30:45settle into his eyes.
30:46How could we possibly
30:47have nothing to talk about, Viv?
30:49After all,
30:50I'm the one who saved you.
30:51My voice came out cold.
30:53I don't know
30:53what you're talking about.
30:55Get out.
30:55Rafael did not move.
30:56Instead,
30:57he picked up a book
30:58from the counter
30:58and flipped through
30:59a couple of pages.
31:00Viv,
31:01did you ever wonder,
31:02manage to get past
31:02the Vargas family signal
31:03pillow can contact you?
31:04My breath stopped.
31:05That encrypted email,
31:07the Latin American accent
31:08of the man from the organization.
31:10Rafael seemed to read
31:10my thoughts
31:11and smiled faintly.
31:12That organization
31:13was simply working for me.
31:14Your new identity,
31:15your new passport,
31:16and including your current
31:17address in Copenhagen.
31:18Every single step
31:19was part of my plan.
31:20The color drained
31:20from my face.
31:22That's impossible.
31:23Rafael watched
31:24my stunned expression.
31:25His smile deepened.
31:26If I hadn't given
31:27the green light,
31:28you never would have
31:29left the States.
31:32My fingertips went cold.
31:34Why?
31:37Why would you let me go?
31:38Rafael didn't answer
31:39right away.
31:40He just looked at me,
31:41his gaze growing darker.
31:42Because I don't like
31:43other people touching my thing.
31:45The air froze for a moment.
31:46His attitude enraged me.
31:51I clenched my fists
31:52and spoke in an icy voice.
31:53I'm not your thing!
31:55Rafael blinked.
31:56The next second,
31:57he actually laughed.
31:59Good.
32:00Viviana.
32:02I love it when you talk like that.
32:04As he spoke,
32:05he walked toward me,
32:06step by step,
32:07until he had forced me
32:08all the way back.
32:09My spine struck the bookshelf hard.
32:12Nowhere left to go,
32:13and Rafael stopped
32:14right in front of me.
32:15Viv,
32:16you are always like this,
32:18as if nothing can ever kill you.
32:21For months,
32:22so many people tortured you,
32:24again and again.
32:26And you survived.
32:28You always surprised me.
32:29His voice was soft,
32:30and it made my entire body go cold.
32:32So surprising that eventually,
32:34I buy my hand.
32:36He slowly leaned down,
32:38his gaze fixed on the scar along my face,
32:40his tone almost regretful.
32:41But,
32:42if I had known that sending you back to the Langfords
32:45would mean so many people daringly lay their hands on you,
32:48I should have kept you by my side from the start.
32:51Never let you go anywhere.
32:52He slowly raised his hand,
32:54reaching toward the scar on my face.
32:56He raised his hand,
32:57reaching toward the scar on my face.
33:00I turned my head away instinctively,
33:02my breathing quickening.
33:03The next second,
33:04a gunshot tore through the air.
33:07One of the Vargas bodyguards outside stumbled backward,
33:10crashing through the bookstore's glass door.
33:12And Dominic stood there,
33:13gun raised.
33:14Behind him,
33:15a wall of Castellano men.
33:18The entire bookstore was surrounded by men in black.
33:20In an instant,
33:22Dominic rushed in,
33:23and pulled me behind him in one swift motion.
33:25Only then did I realize my body was trembling.
33:28Raphael looked at him and smiled.
33:29Well, if it isn't Dominic,
33:32our Viv's old flame,
33:34you finally decided to show up?
33:36Dominic glared at him.
33:37Stay the hell away from her.
33:40You don't get to say her name!
33:42Then who does?
33:44You?
33:45The man who handed her over to me three years ago?
33:50Dominic's grip on the gun tightened violently.
33:52I didn't hand her over to you!
33:54Raphael took a slow step closer,
33:56his expression relaxed,
33:58as if the gun didn't concern him at all.
34:00Is there a difference?
34:01All those calls Viviana made to you,
34:04didn't you hang up on every single one?
34:06Viviana made to you,
34:08didn't you hang up on every single one?
34:10You have no idea how she screamed that night.
34:13The basement floor was covered in blood.
34:18And now...
34:21You've learned to play the hero!
34:23Dominic's face grew whiter and whiter,
34:25his lips pressed into a thin line,
34:27but he didn't say a word in rebuttal.
34:28Dominic,
34:29you know why I look down on you?
34:32Because you're even more of a hypocrite than I am.
34:34Bad man.
34:36I've never denied it.
34:37But you,
34:38you destroyed her with your own hands,
34:40and yet you somehow believe you still deserve her.
34:44Just like right now.
34:46You hate me to the bone,
34:47but you still...
34:48Raphael slowly spread his arms.
34:51Don't dare pull the trigger.
34:53Shut up!
34:55Dominic gritted his teeth,
34:56his fingers sliding slowly onto the trigger.
34:59The next second,
34:59I finally spoke.
35:00Stop!
35:03Dominic stood frozen,
35:04gun in hand.
35:05I looked at both of them.
35:06My voice was cold.
35:07If you two want to get yourselves killed,
35:09do it somewhere else.
35:11Dominic turned to look at me.
35:12Finally,
35:13he slowly lowered the gun.
35:14Raphael watched me,
35:15the corner of his mouth curving up again.
35:17Slowly lowered the gun.
35:18Raphael watched me,
35:19the corner of his mouth curving up again,
35:21visibly intrigued.
35:22I stepped out from behind Dominic
35:24and met Raphael's gaze head on.
35:25Raphael,
35:26what do you actually want?
35:27Raphael pulled a black card from his pocket
35:29and set it on the counter beside him.
35:31Tomorrow,
35:32three o'clock,
35:33the warehouse at the harbor.
35:35Come alone.
35:36I'll give you all the answers
35:38about
35:41the person who truly wants to destroy you.
35:44My pupils contracted slightly.
35:45I frowned.
35:46Dominic's expression shifted sharply.
35:48Vivian!
35:49Don't believe him.
35:50He's dangerous.
35:52He just watched me,
35:54waiting.
35:55I took a deep breath.
35:57Fine.
35:59I'll be there.
36:00Vivian!
36:01No!
36:02You can't go!
36:03I pulled my hand free
36:04and looked back at him,
36:05unmoved.
36:05Let him leave.
36:06Raphael nodded with satisfaction.
36:08At the door,
36:08he turned back
36:09and left one last line.
36:11Viv,
36:13I'll be waiting for you.
36:14Then the car started
36:15and the Castellano men
36:16could only watch.
36:17Browning as it slowly pulled away.
36:19The bookstore fell quiet again.
36:20Dominic stood in front of me,
36:21his eyes full of panic.
36:23Vivian,
36:25you can't go see him.
36:27He's not.
36:29You can't go see him.
36:32He's not someone you can trust.
36:33Then who can I trust?
36:34I looked at him.
36:35You?
36:36Dominic,
36:37I told you,
36:37my business has nothing to do with you.
36:40I turned to leave.
36:41Suddenly,
36:41Dominic yanked me back
36:42and pressed the gun
36:43until upon the next second.
36:45He placed the bullet
36:46against his own chest.
36:48Since you hate me that much,
36:51then kill me.
36:54Click.
36:55The bullet was chambered.
37:00Dominic looked at me.
37:01His eyes rimmed red,
37:02but he smiled.
37:03An ugly,
37:04bitter smile.
37:05Kill me.
37:07Everything I have
37:08will be yours.
37:10What the hell are you doing?
37:12I tried to wrench my hand away,
37:13but Dominic wouldn't let go.
37:16He shook his head gently.
37:17These past few days,
37:19I went back to the States.
37:20Took care of everything.
37:21His voice was quiet.
37:22Everything the Langford family owed you,
37:24plus Castellino shares,
37:26properties,
37:26and all of my real estate,
37:28it's all been transferred
37:29into your name.
37:30I froze.
37:31Dominic looked at me.
37:32From now on,
37:33between us,
37:33you can take whatever revenge you want.
37:36I will never again be the person
37:37who can ignore you.
37:39The revenge you want.
37:41I will never again be the person
37:42who can ignore you.
37:44If my life can give you
37:45even a shred of relief,
37:47I'm willing to die
37:48right here in your hands.
37:49Fury surged through me.
37:51Dominic!
37:51I shoved his hand away.
37:52I stared at him coldly.
37:54If I kill you,
37:54will the scar on my face disappear?
37:56If I kill you,
37:57will my leg heal?
37:58Will those seven months of hell
37:59just vanish?
38:00Will everything that happened
38:02over the past three years
38:03just be erased?
38:04What fantasy world
38:05are you living in?
38:06The light in Dominic's eyes
38:07shattered piece by piece,
38:09and finally,
38:10the tears fell.
38:10I know.
38:11I know.
38:13I know nothing can be brought back.
38:16But Vivian,
38:17I just want you to let out
38:18all the pain and suffering
38:20you've borne all these years.
38:21That day,
38:22I saw the painkillers in your bag
38:24and sleeping pills.
38:25I know you have never truly moved on.
38:28I just don't want you to bear it alone.
38:31My body went rigid.
38:33Shut up!
38:37So what if it's true?
38:40You're saying all of this
38:42just to make yourself feel better?
38:44Why should I?
38:45Why should I give you the chance to atone?
38:49I want you to suffer!
38:51To sum you the chance to atone!
38:54I want you to suffer!
38:56To suffer forever!
38:58I already told you!
39:00I never want to see you again!
39:02Dominic staggered back a step,
39:03but still reached for me,
39:05trying to hurt me.
39:06A gunshot.
39:07The world seemed to stop.
39:09Dominic's body jerked violently.
39:11He slowly collapsed.
39:12Dominic!
39:13His name burst from my mouth.
39:14I caught his body
39:16and dropped to my knees with him.
39:18It's just a shoulder.
39:20What are you pretending for?
39:23Get up!
39:24Don't think I'll fall for this!
39:26Dominic's face was deathly white.
39:28I'm fine.
39:29Vivi.
39:31Don't be scared.
39:32The gunshot brought the men in black
39:34rushing through the door.
39:35Boss!
39:36Several of them lifted Dominic immediately
39:38and ushered me along into the black SUV.
39:43His personal doctor peeled back his coat
39:45the next second.
39:46Are you out of your mind?
39:48The hundred lash wounds on your body
39:50haven't even healed
39:51and you went and shot yourself!
39:53Do you actually have a death wish?
39:55My pupils contracted sharply.
39:58Hundred lashes.
40:01A dim wall sconce lit the room.
40:04Hundred lashes.
40:06A dim wall sconce lit the room.
40:09He slowly turned his head
40:10and saw me sitting by the bed.
40:11He stared for a moment
40:12and struggled to sit up.
40:14Vivian.
40:15Were you scared?
40:17I'm fine.
40:17It's just a bullet.
40:18I watched him in silence.
40:19But in my mind
40:20the image from before kept replaying.
40:22The doctor had cut away his shirt
40:24and his body.
40:25There was barely an inch
40:25of intact skin left.
40:27His back.
40:27His chest.
40:28His sides.
40:29Crisscrossed with lash marks
40:30and old wounds.
40:31Some still seeping blood.
40:33The doctor murmured
40:33while treating him.
40:35Miss, I don't know
40:36what's between the two of you.
40:37But as his physician
40:38all I can do
40:39is urge you to tell him
40:40to stop doing this to himself.
40:42If this continues, I've...
40:43I slowly lifted my gaze
40:45to Dominic.
40:47So...
40:47I let out a soft laugh.
40:49This is how you atone?
40:50But my eyes gradually reddened.
40:52Paying me back
40:52with your own life?
40:54You think your life
40:55is that important?
40:56Dominic's throat moved.
40:58Vivian.
40:59I cut him off,
41:00stood,
41:00and looked down at him.
41:02Why?
41:03Why does it have to be now?
41:07All those times
41:08I begged you to believe me.
41:10I begged...
41:11I begged you not
41:13to choose Seraphina.
41:15Why didn't you...
41:16I begged...
41:17I begged you not
41:19to choose Seraphina.
41:21Why didn't you believe me then?
41:23Why is it only now,
41:25after I died,
41:27after I finally managed
41:28to get away from all of you,
41:30that you won't leave me alone?
41:37I'm sorry.
41:39Vivian, I...
41:40He forced himself up,
41:41trying to grab my hand.
41:42I shoved him away
41:43and reached up
41:44to wipe the tears
41:44before they could fall.
41:46When I spoke again,
41:47my voice was calm.
41:50You want to repay me?
41:54Give me some men.
41:56Dominic went still.
41:57He frowned slowly.
41:59What do you need men for?
42:01I looked at him.
42:02I'm going to see Raphael Vargas.
42:04Dominic's face
42:04changed drastically.
42:05No!
42:06Vivian,
42:07you can't go see him!
42:10Dom.
42:10After all these years,
42:11I used that name again.
42:13I need to face this myself.
42:15That's the only thing
42:16I want right now.
42:17He seemed to collapse,
42:18sinking back
42:19onto the edge of the bed.
42:21After a long silence,
42:22he spoke.
42:24Voice raw.
42:25Okay.
42:25The next day at noon,
42:27the snow had stopped.
42:28I walked out of...
42:29He spoke.
42:30Voice raw.
42:32Okay.
42:32The next day at noon,
42:34the snow had stopped.
42:35I walked out of the apartment alone.
42:37A dozen Castellano men
42:38in black suits
42:39stood in two neat rows.
42:40When they saw me,
42:41every one of them
42:42bowed their heads in unison.
42:43Adam.
42:44James,
42:44standing at the front,
42:45stepped forward
42:46and held out a black coat.
42:47Boss has given the order.
42:50From today on,
42:51we're responsible
42:52for your safety.
42:53James opened the car door
42:54for me.
42:54I took the coat
42:55and got in.
42:56The car started.
42:56In the rear view mirror,
42:58Dominic had appeared
42:59behind the car
42:59at some point,
43:00watching me go.
43:01He wore only a black coat.
43:02I'm wrapped in thick bandages.
43:04Blood already showing through.
43:05I looked away.
43:06Three o'clock.
43:07I pushed open the iron door
43:08of the abandoned door.
43:10He said the car door.
43:10Hearing the sound,
43:11Rafael slowly lifted his head.
43:13Seeing that I was alone,
43:14he smiled with satisfaction.
43:16Good girl.
43:19I knew you'd come.
43:24A handful of Argus's men
43:25stood at a measured distance,
43:27machine guns raised.
43:28Rafael leaned against
43:29a stack of abandoned
43:30wooden crates,
43:31swinging a transparent
43:32document pouch in one hand.
43:34I did not go any farther inside.
43:36I'm here.
43:37Where are the answers?
43:38He let out a low laugh,
43:40then tossed a battered phone
43:41into the table.
43:42I'm here.
43:43Where are the answers?
43:45He let out a low laugh,
43:46then tossed a battered phone
43:48into the table.
43:49The screen lit up with call records
43:50from three years ago.
43:52I pressed play.
43:53A low male voice came through.
43:54Don't let her die too quickly.
43:56Make it hurt.
43:57Make my dear nephew believe
43:59it was Rafael
44:00who killed his beloved fiancé.
44:03Rafael came toward me slowly.
44:06Seraphina was nothing but a smokescreen.
44:09The person who truly wanted
44:10to torture you to death
44:11was Matteo Castellino.
44:13For one instant,
44:15my breathing stopped.
44:16Dominic's uncle
44:16and the most powerful person
44:18in the Castellano family
44:19after Dominic himself.
44:21Why would he come after me?
44:23He engineered Dominic's departure
44:24years ago so he could take control
44:26of the Castellinos legitimately.
44:28And once you married Dominic,
44:30the Langford family's fortune
44:32would be bound to him permanently.
44:33He waited over a decade.
44:36He was never going to let
44:37an orphan stand in his way.
44:39His fingers tapped lazily
44:40against the tabletop
44:41as he rounded it,
44:42stopping in front of me.
44:44But no one expected you
44:45to walk out alive.
44:47I set the phone down.
44:49Why are you telling me all this?
44:50Don't think for a second
44:52that I believe you're a good person.
44:53The smile on Rafael's face
44:55only deepened.
44:55Of course I'm not.
44:56Why are you telling me all this?
44:58Don't think for a second
44:59that I believe you're a good person.
45:00The smile on Rafael's face
45:02only deepened.
45:02Of course I'm not.
45:03But when it comes to you...
45:05His gaze fell on the scar on my face.
45:08I am still more than a little interested.
45:10I clenched my fist
45:11and was about to shove him away.
45:13In the next second,
45:14Rafael suddenly seized my shoulders
45:16and shoved me down toward the floor.
45:18Bang.
45:18A voice clenched through the glass
45:20and shattered the phone on the table.
45:22Rafael lifted his head.
45:23The smile in his eyes
45:24was gone completely.
45:25Looks like someone followed you here.
45:29Gunfire erupted around the warehouse
45:31all at once.
45:32Rafael vaulted over the iron table,
45:34drew his gun,
45:35and fired twice toward the second floor.
45:37A figure tumbled down
45:38from behind the railing.
45:39Stay there.
45:40He ordered me.
45:41I pulled out the gun
45:42I carried with me.
45:43Don't order me.
45:44The iron door on the right
45:46was suddenly rammed open.
45:47A masked man rushed in.
45:49Muzzle aimed straight at me.
45:52I did not think.
45:53I raised the gun.
45:54Squeezed the trigger.
45:55Bang.
45:57The bullet tore through his shoulder.
45:59He fell backward.
46:00But my hand was shaking so hard
46:01I could not control it.
46:02Rafael caught me by the arm
46:04and glanced at me.
46:05Not bad.
46:07Shut up.
46:08The gunfire outside
46:09grew even more intense.
46:10Me by the arm
46:11and glanced at me.
46:12Not bad.
46:15Shut up.
46:16The gunfire outside
46:17grew even more intense.
46:18On the next second
46:19the warehouse doors
46:20were thrown open with a crash.
46:21Dominic charged in with James
46:23and more than a dozen Castellano men.
46:25His shoulder was still
46:26wrapped in bandages
46:27and his gray shirt
46:28was already soaked through
46:29with blood.
46:29The moment he saw
46:30Rafael's hand still
46:31wrapped around my waist
46:32his gun came up.
46:33Get away from her.
46:34Rafael gave a soft laugh.
46:36You dare
46:37show up in that condition?
46:39Dominic you really are
46:41a dog that is impossible
46:42to shake off.
46:43Dominic did not move his gun.
46:44I said back off!
46:46Enough!
46:47I pushed Rafael away
46:48and looked coldly
46:49at both of them.
46:50If the two of you
46:51have so much time
46:52to spare
46:52go get yourselves
46:54killed outside.
46:55Boss!
46:56Just then
46:57James pulled a black badge
46:59from the cuff
46:59of one of the bodies.
47:01His expression
47:02changed sharply
47:03as he handed it
47:04to Dominic.
47:05This is Mateo's private guard.
47:07The words had barely
47:08left his mouth
47:08in the corner
47:09suddenly laughed.
47:10His mouth was full of blood
47:11and his finger was pressed
47:13to the remote
47:13at his waist.
47:14Dominic!
47:15Mr. Castelloni
47:16sends his regards.
47:18He pressed him.
47:19Boom!
47:19The warehouse entrance
47:20collapsed completely
47:21in the explosion.
47:33Blame swallowed...
47:35Thick smoke rushed
47:36into my nose.
47:37The explosion roared.
47:40Dizziness washed over me
47:41and my vision blurred.
47:43All that remained
47:44in my ears
47:45was a sharp,
47:45piercing whine.
47:47The basement.
47:48Fluorescent lights.
47:49The sound of a bright
47:50striking skin.
47:51Crack.
47:52Crack.
47:52And the laughter
47:53of those people
47:54in the basement.
47:55Her family doesn't
47:56care about her at all.
47:58Keep going.
47:59It'll be more fun
48:00when she's dead.
48:01My body froze
48:02where it stood.
48:03The gun slipped
48:04from my hand
48:05and fell to the floor.
48:07Vivian!
48:08Dominic's voice
48:09sounded as if it came
48:10from very far away.
48:11I saw him lunge
48:12toward me
48:12and wrap his arms
48:13tightly around me.
48:15Look at me.
48:16His voice was shaking.
48:17Vivian,
48:18look at me.
48:19You're back.
48:20You're already back.
48:21Everything before my eyes
48:23slowly came back
48:24into focus.
48:24I breathed
48:25in short,
48:26frantic gasps.
48:27Boom!
48:28Raphael shot
48:29through the fire valve
48:30beside us.
48:31Cold water surged out,
48:32temporarily suppressing
48:33the flames nearby.
48:34If you want to live,
48:35wake up, Vivian.
48:36I dug my nails
48:37hard into my palm,
48:38forced myself to stand.
48:40And drew back
48:40temporarily suppressing
48:42the flames nearby.
48:43If you want to live,
48:44wake up, Vivian.
48:45I dug my nails
48:45hard into my palm,
48:47forced myself to stand.
48:48And drew back the hand
48:49Dominic was griffing
48:50so tightly.
48:52Underground warehouses
48:53usually have
48:53drainage tunnels.
48:54I said, breathless.
48:56Follow the pipes.
48:57James led men
48:58to tear away the shelves
48:59against the rear wall.
49:00A narrow iron door
49:02appeared behind them.
49:04Move.
49:05Three minutes at most
49:06before they break in.
49:07One after another,
49:09everyone went through,
49:10a second before we rushed
49:11into the underground passage.
49:12I saw a red light
49:14blinking on the dead
49:15killer's chest.
49:16A recorder.
49:17I turned back
49:18and ripped it off him.
49:20Vivian!
49:20The steam crashed down.
49:22Dominic reached out
49:23and dragged me
49:24into the passage
49:24as broken stone
49:26scraped across
49:26the hem of my coat.
49:28Ten minutes later,
49:29we climbed out
49:30on the other side
49:31of the port.
49:31I pressed play
49:32on the recorder.
49:33Mateo's voice
49:34rang out clearly.
49:35If torture,
49:36I'll send her
49:36to her death myself.
49:42Prepare the plane.
49:43Dominic's voice
49:44was utterly cold.
49:45He threw his
49:46blood-stained coat
49:47to James.
49:48We return to Chicago
49:49tonight.
49:49I'm going to kill
49:50Mateo with my own hands.
49:52No.
49:53Everyone looked at me.
49:54Dominic frowned.
49:55Vivian,
49:56he wants to kill you.
49:58That is my business.
49:59I gripped the recorder,
50:00my expression calm.
50:01Vivian,
50:02this is not the time
50:03to draw a line
50:04between us!
50:05His jaw tightened
50:06abruptly.
50:06After I kill him,
50:07you can spend
50:08the rest of your life
50:09settling the score
50:09with me if you want.
50:11And then what?
50:13You want me to wait
50:13for you again?
50:14I stared into his eyes.
50:15My fingers still trembling.
50:18Three years ago,
50:19I waited for you
50:21to come save me.
50:22I waited for you
50:23to understand me.
50:24And now I'm supposed
50:25to wait again
50:26while you avenge me?
50:29Dominic,
50:29when are you finally
50:30going to understand?
50:31This is my life.
50:33I have the right
50:33to decide everything.
50:35Wind and snow
50:37swept between us.
50:38Dominic was silent
50:40for a long time.
50:41Finally,
50:41he slowly removed
50:42a black ring
50:43from his finger.
50:45The seal
50:45of the Castellano
50:46family head.
50:48He handed it to me.
50:49You can access
50:50every Castellano
50:51safe house,
50:51armory,
50:52and internal archive.
50:53At least let me
50:54do everything I can
50:55to keep you safe.
50:56I accepted it.
50:57Rafael leaned
50:58against the car door,
50:59slowly wiping
51:00the blood
51:00from the back
51:01of his hand.
51:02Finally.
51:04You're starting
51:05to look like
51:05someone ready
51:06for revenge,
51:06little Vivi.
51:07I turned
51:08to look at him.
51:08Don't get impatient.
51:10Your name
51:11will be on my list.
51:12Rafael burst out laughing.
51:14I look forward to it.
51:15James' phone rang
51:16just then.
51:17After reading
51:17the message,
51:18his face
51:19turned extremely grim.
51:21Madam,
51:22in three days,
51:23the Castellano family
51:24will convene
51:25an emergency meeting.
51:27Mateo is preparing
51:28to formally remove Boss
51:30on the ground
51:30he is mentally unstable
51:32and unfit to lead.
51:34Before leaving,
51:35I went to see Ingrid
51:36and say goodbye.
51:38She asked nothing.
51:39She only straightened
51:41the collar of my coat
51:41for me.
51:42Come back safe.
51:43In the end,
51:44we did not embrace.
51:46I turned and walked
51:47into the wind and snow.
51:49On the airport tarmac,
51:50Rafael's private plane
51:51had already started up.
51:53Dominic stood
51:53beside the boarding stairs.
51:54His shoulder
51:55had been re-bandaged.
51:56His face was still pale
51:57and the doctor
51:58had warned him
51:58again and again
51:59that he absolutely
52:00must not take
52:02a long flight.
52:02Rafael, meanwhile,
52:03leaned by the cabin door,
52:05casually adjusting
52:06his cuffs.
52:06I stopped in front of them
52:07and curled my lip.
52:08I don't need
52:09a tacky farewell ceremony.
52:11Blacks.
52:12Blacks.
52:13No one was planning
52:14to kiss you goodbye.
52:15Dominic gave him
52:15a cold look.
52:17Shut up.
52:18You too,
52:19I said.
52:19Both men fell silent
52:21at once.
52:21James came up
52:22from behind
52:23and handed me
52:23a black briefcase.
52:24Madam,
52:26this is the list
52:27of every member
52:28in Chicago
52:28who remains
52:29loyal to Boss.
52:30After the plane lands,
52:3224 people
52:33will be waiting
52:34for your orders
52:34at the Southside Airport.
52:36Behind him
52:37stood a woman
52:37with her hair
52:38combed impeccably
52:39into place.
52:40This is Laura.
52:41She will support you
52:42in every way.
52:43Dominic looked at me.
52:44You can still
52:44change your mind
52:45at any time.
52:45I took the case
52:46from James.
52:47I have no intention
52:48of doing that.
52:49As if he had expected it,
52:51Dominic looked at me.
52:52Come back safe.
52:54The same words.
52:55I nodded
52:55and turned
52:56toward the boarding stairs.
52:58After the plane took off,
52:59Laura presented me
53:00with the complete list
53:01for the family meeting.
53:02I opened the file
53:04and looked out the window.
53:05Three years ago,
53:07when I fled Chicago,
53:08I did not even dare
53:09leave my name behind.
53:10But now,
53:11I finally understood.
53:12Some nightmares
53:13do not end
53:14just because you run
53:15from them.
53:15Someone has to go back
53:16with their own hands
53:17and burn them
53:18to the ground.
53:18And
53:18I
53:19thought
53:19I
53:19thought
53:20to
53:20you
Comments