- 1 day ago
خيانة بيضاء
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Short filmTranscript
00:03it's Christmas Eve my husband Damian just kicked our three-year-old daughter out of the car
00:11get out of the car the current outside temperature is minus five degrees Celsius all because his
00:18mistress's daughter didn't want to sit with a dirty kid when the car pulled over on the
00:24highway shoulder I thought Damian just needed a restroom break Aurora is asleep don't wake her
00:33Damian didn't even look back he just tapped the steering wheel Clara take Aurora and get out of
00:39the car what Damian it's fine we can just squeeze in but her daughter did you hear that get out
00:54Mira is on her way she'll be here in 30 minutes just wait here I held my three-year-old
01:00daughter
01:01and watched him drive away the taillights faded into the snow until they were gone mommy where's daddy
01:09Aurora whispered her biometric wristband began to pulse with a yellow warning light
01:17daddy went to grandma's first auntie Mira is coming to get us I hit the dial for a video call
01:24to Tina Clara her background was a chaotic blur of noise and pulsing neon she was at a party Mira
01:37Damian told you to pick us up where are you just wait I'll come later Mira it's freezing
01:44Aurora can't stay out here my brother said Celeste and Briar can't be out in the cold
01:49they had to get home you're just waiting it's not like you'll die Aurora shivered in my arms
01:55mommy I want to go home soon baby we'll be home very soon my heart broke after four years of
02:06marriage
02:06marriage I never knew Damian could be this cruel to dump his wife and child on a highway because
02:12another woman's kid called us dirty suddenly headlights appeared I waved like crazy a black SUV pulled over
02:23a black SUV pulled over
02:28need a hand please can you give us a ride to the next service station get in
02:34I reached for the door but then a voice stopped me
02:37Clara it was Felix Damian's father
02:41what are you doing here where's my brother I quickly told him everything Felix's face turned pale with rage
02:49is he insane he left you and Aurora here so Celeste's daughter matters
02:55but his own doesn't
02:57Owen let them in we'll squeeze
02:59but the car was full
03:01there's no room
03:02the driver said looking worried
03:04you guys go I'll wait here
03:06Felix pushed me toward the seat
03:11Aurora's face is turning purple
03:13she can't stay in the cold another second
03:16Felix it's freezing out there
03:19what about you
03:21I'm a grown man
03:22I can handle a little cold take care of the kid first just go
03:26the car started
03:28I looked through the back window
03:30Felix stood there alone in the blizzard
03:33his figure grew smaller and smaller
03:36Aurora fell asleep in my arms
03:38but her face was a terrifying shade of red
03:43sir can you go any faster my daughter has a fever
03:46the driver nodded and stepped on the gas
03:49I tried to call Mira again no signal
03:53how much longer to the service station
03:5620 kilometers in this weather at least 30 minutes
04:02I held Aurora tighter she was getting hotter by the second
04:06she opened her eyes weakly
04:08suddenly she started coughing
04:10her face turned a deep sickly purple
04:14please please go faster
04:17I'm trying this is as fast as it goes
04:20the roads are pure ice
04:22I unzipped Aurora's coat
04:24her chest was heaving
04:26Aurora look at mommy
04:28don't close your eyes
04:31I'll tell you a story
04:33about the little rabbit
04:34I began pounding on the car window like a mad woman
04:39help my daughter is dying
04:42somebody help us
04:46but on the highway
04:47there was nothing but wind and snow
04:52finally the car pulled into a service station
05:00is there a doctor
05:01my daughter is dying
05:03help us
05:04the clerk froze
05:05there's no doctor here
05:07call one now
05:09the signal tower was destroyed by the blizzard
05:12we can't get a call out
05:13my legs gave out
05:15I almost collapsed
05:18the shop owner searched through the back
05:20and found some medicine
05:22try this
05:24Aurora lay on my lap
05:25her breath was so faint
05:28it felt like it could snap at any second
05:31I tried to feed her
05:33but she didn't even have the strength to swallow
05:36the owner couldn't watch anymore
05:39I'll drive you to the nearest clinic
05:43but the roads might be blocked
05:45go we have to go now
05:47the car crawled through the deep snow
05:50with every bump
05:52Aurora's body grew limp
05:54Aurora you said you wanted to see the northern lights
05:56remember mommy will take you
06:00we'll take the fastest train
06:02all the way to the arctic circle
06:04her eyelashes fluttered
06:06but she never opened her eyes
06:11suddenly my watch vibrated
06:13signal
06:14with trembling hands I dialed Damien's video call
06:18it rang for a long time
06:21finally he picked up
06:23hello
06:24the background was quiet
06:26Damien
06:28Aurora is sick
06:29it's bad
06:30really bad
06:31where are you
06:32on the way to a clinic
06:34please
06:34you have to come
06:36didn't Mira pick you up yet
06:41she didn't come
06:42she never showed up
06:44possible
06:45she just posted an update
06:46saying she's on her way
06:47I opened the hologram projection
06:49on my watch
06:50Mira's latest post
06:52from 10 minutes ago
06:53the location tag
06:55was at exit 87
06:56on the interstate
06:58112 kilometers away from us
07:01she hadn't moved an inch
07:03she was lying to you
07:05and she was lying to me
07:07Mira will be there soon
07:08just wait a little longer
07:11wait
07:12we can't
07:13Rora is dying
07:14our daughter is dying
07:16Damien
07:18Clara
07:19it's Christmas Eve
07:20don't say such unlucky things
07:22no one is dying
07:23Celesta and Briar just arrived
07:25and my mom is very happy
07:27don't ruin the mood
07:28just go to the hospital
07:29when Mira gets there
07:30kids get fevers all the time
07:32she's not gonna die
07:33he hung up
07:34as the projection faded
07:36my blood turned to ice
07:38the shop owner looked at me
07:40through the rear view mirror
07:41your husband
07:42I nodded
07:45scumbag
07:47hang on tight
07:48I'm taking a shortcut
07:54we're not letting this baby die
07:55the car turned onto a mountain road
07:58Aurora's breathing was almost gone
08:01I checked her heartbeat
08:02it was so weak
08:04it felt like an illusion
08:05I pulled a button-sized communicator
08:08from my inner pocket
08:09my father had given it to me
08:12he said that once I pressed it
08:14his people would arrive
08:16within three hours
08:17finally
08:18we reached the nearest medical station
08:21I burst into the emergency room
08:24clutching Aurora
08:27acute pneumonia
08:32heart rate is dropping
08:34prepare for recitation
08:35I was stopped outside the emergency room
08:38through the glass
08:40I watched the doctors intubate Aurora
08:42and hook her up to the monitors
08:44she looked like she could vanish at any second
08:48I collapsed in the corner
08:50shaking
08:51my watch rang again
08:55Clara
08:56where are you
08:57my mom is waiting for dinner
08:58I struggled to find my voice
09:00the clinic
09:03Aurora is being resuscitated
09:05what
09:06why are you at a clinic
09:07where's Mira
09:08she never came
09:10impossible
09:11she just messaged me
09:12saying she picked you up
09:13he sent me a screenshot
09:15it was a blurry photo
09:17from twenty minutes ago
09:18in the passenger seat
09:20was a woman's back
09:21wearing a jacket
09:22just like mine
09:23she's lying Damien
09:24come to the clinic
09:26now
09:27are you lying
09:28just because you're jealous of Celeste
09:30daughter is still being resuscitated
09:32and you think this is jealous
09:33what else
09:35why would Mira need to lie to me
09:37Damien
09:37if Aurora dies today
09:39I will never forgive you
09:41as long as I live
09:42whatever Clara
09:43that's your choice
09:46the call disconnected
09:47I listened to the dial tone
09:49and slowly slid down to the floor
09:51the ER doors swung open
09:53we saved her
09:54but she was deprived of oxygen for too long
09:57there's significant brain damage
09:58it could affect her cognitive development
10:00she might even face permanent paralysis
10:03I leaned against the wall
10:05to keep from collapsing
10:07how is that possible
10:10she's so small
10:12she's just a baby
10:15we did our best
10:16you need to admit her now
10:18the follow-up treatments won't be cheap
10:20I walked to the payment kiosk
10:22moving like a ghost
10:23I tapped my wrist against the sensor
10:26insufficient funds
10:28Damien only gave me $3,000 a month
10:31claiming it was more than enough for a child
10:33I called him
10:35my hands trembling
10:37Aurora needs surgery
10:39I need $50,000
10:41$50,000?
10:43Clara
10:44do I look like an ATM to you?
10:46Damien
10:46she is your daughter
10:48are you going to transfer the money or not?
10:50no
10:51if you're so capable
10:52earn it yourself
10:53after Christmas
10:55we're filing for divorce
10:56the house is mine
10:57you didn't put a cent in
10:59so you get nothing
11:01I stood there
11:02staring at the clerk
11:03through the glass
11:05can you start the treatment first?
11:07I'll pay you back
11:09I promise
11:10I'm sorry
11:11facility policy
11:13no deposit
11:13no admission
11:16I walked out of the clinic
11:17and stood in the freezing snow
11:20my hologram flared to life
11:22it was Felix
11:24Clara
11:25where are you?
11:26Damien said Mira picked you guys up
11:28Felix do me a favor
11:30if anything happens to me
11:33take care of Aurora
11:34what are you talking about?
11:36I have no money
11:37Aurora has no hope
11:38I can't keep her either
11:40just put her in the adoption system
11:42at least she'll live
11:43Clara
11:44don't do anything reckless
11:45where are you?
11:46I'm coming now
11:46don't bother
11:47I cut the connection
11:48and killed the hologram
11:49I walked back to the ward
11:52I'm sorry baby
11:53in the next life
11:54don't be mine
11:56the clinic roof
11:58the clinic roof was a blur of wind and snow
11:59from the edge
12:01the world below looked tiny
12:02one step
12:04and the pain would finally end
12:06I closed my eyes
12:08and let myself fall forward
12:10suddenly
12:10a hand gripped my wrist
12:12suddenly
12:14a hand gripped my wrist
12:15a violent tug pulled me back
12:17I collapsed onto the ground
12:19and looked up
12:19several men in black suits
12:21stood before me
12:22their leader
12:22a man in his 50s
12:24removed his sunglasses
12:25his eyes were bloodshot
12:27Clara
12:30Todd
12:30I was rushed onto a medical transport pod
12:33Aurora was carried in right behind me
12:35immediately taken over by a team of flight medics
12:39intracranial pressure is spiking
12:40we need to operate now
12:42contact the main hospital
12:43open the neurosurgery green channel
12:46put the nano repair team on standby
12:48my father held my hand
12:50his own trembling uncontrollably
12:52I'm sorry Clara
12:53dad was too late
12:54I'm so sorry
12:56dad
12:56I thought you were just a
12:59farmer back in the village
13:01he faltered
13:02a bitter smile touching his lips
13:06a farmer
13:07that was a lie
13:09you were so determined
13:10to marry Damien
13:12I was afraid that if he knew
13:13we were wealthy
13:14he'd only marry you for the money
13:16so
13:18I played poor for four years
13:20I thought as long as he treated you well
13:22it didn't matter if we lived simply
13:24he looked at the unconscious Aurora
13:26tears finally falling
13:28but I never imagined
13:29I never imagined
13:31they could be this heartless
13:32to abuse my granddaughter like this
13:34medical transport pod
13:36landed on the roof
13:37of Whitfield Medical Center
13:38Aurora was rushed straight into surgery
13:41the best specialist
13:42the cutting edge equipment
13:43everything was ready
13:44my father stood outside the operating room
13:47and dialed an encrypted channel
13:49Vance Group
13:50I want to see their stock hit rock bottom
13:52before the market opens tomorrow
13:53terminate all partnerships
13:55everything
13:57and the banks
13:59you know what to do
14:01he hung up and sat beside me
14:03Clara I'm giving you two choices
14:05first
14:06divorce him
14:08take the money
14:09and take Aurora abroad
14:12never look back
14:15second
14:15stay
14:18watch the Vance family crumble
14:22watch Damien crawl to his knees
14:24and beg for your mercy
14:26I thought for a moment
14:27the second one
14:30but I have one condition
14:31name it
14:33prepare two bionic decoys
14:35one identical to me
14:37and one identical to Aurora
14:40make them look like
14:41they froze to death
14:42on the side of the highway
14:44dress them in the clothes
14:45we wore today
14:46and put her bio band
14:47on the decoy
14:49you wanna
14:51I want them to think I'm dead
14:55then I want to see
14:57exactly how they celebrate
14:58I want to watch them
14:59throw a party
15:00while Aurora and I
15:02are dead
15:03my father remained silent
15:05for a long time
15:06before nodding
15:06fine
15:07the bionic decoys
15:09were incredibly lifelike
15:11one large
15:12one small
15:13lying in the snow
15:14on the highway
15:14when found
15:16they were already
15:16frozen solid
15:17an automated road patrol drone
15:19discovered them
15:20and flagged the nearest
15:21highway patrol
15:22based on the ID
15:23found on the body
15:24the police contacted Damien
15:26the call came through
15:28while the Vance family
15:28was having Christmas dinner
15:30the table was overflowing
15:31with food
15:32filled with laughter
15:33Celeste sat next to Damien
15:35putting food on his plate
15:36Priscilla beamed
15:37stroking Briar's hair
15:38Celeste is so much better
15:40even the daughter she raised
15:41are well behaved
15:42unlike that brat
15:44Clara had
15:45always crying
15:46never obedient
15:47an absolute nuisance
15:49Damien's wrist vibrated
15:50he glanced at it
15:51frowning
15:52the police?
15:55hello
15:56is this Mr. Damien Vance?
15:59is your wife Clara
16:00currently on the highway
16:01with your daughter?
16:01yes
16:02why?
16:03we found two bodies
16:04by the roadside
16:05preliminary assessment
16:07suggests they froze to death
16:08the female victim
16:10has an ID card
16:11identifying her as Clara
16:12there is also a female child
16:14approximately three years old
16:16we need you to come
16:17and identify them
16:18what did you say?
16:19sir
16:20your wife and daughter
16:21they didn't make it
16:23the dinner table fell silent
16:24Priscilla asked
16:26who is it?
16:27calling during the holidays
16:28it's bad luck
16:29Damien stood up
16:30his face pale
16:31Claire and Aurora
16:34froze to death?
16:35by the time Damien reached
16:36the morgue
16:37his legs were like jelly
16:38the police led him
16:40into the cold storage room
16:41the drawer pulled open
16:43revealing two bodies
16:44one large
16:45one small
16:46is it them?
16:47Damien opened his mouth
16:48but no sound came out
16:49he reached out
16:51wanting to touch my face
16:52his hand shaking violently
16:53it's impossible
16:56Mira said she went
16:57to pick them up
16:58the officer pulled up
16:59the records on his terminal
17:01we checked the automated
17:03highway patrol logs
17:04your sister's car
17:05never even entered the highway
17:06she drove in circles
17:08around the city
17:08before heading home
17:11furthermore
17:11the victim's final
17:12outgoing call
17:13was to you
17:15it was at 7pm
17:17last night
17:17she told you
17:18the child was sick
17:19and begged for help
17:20you said
17:21you said
17:23if you're so capable
17:24earn it yourself
17:25I thought
17:27I thought she was lying
17:29I
17:29I
17:30I didn't know
17:31she was actually
17:32and if you had known
17:34would you have gone?
17:35there was a heavy silence
17:36Damien had no answer
17:38the morgue doors
17:40swung open
17:40as Priscilla burst in
17:41she froze for a moment
17:43upon seeing the bodies
17:44then collapsed
17:45onto the floor
17:45wailing and slapping her thighs
17:47oh my granddaughter
17:49my poor baby
17:51how could you leave me like this?
17:53after a few cries
17:54she abruptly stopped
17:55and grabbed Damien
17:56son
17:56this is actually
17:57a good thing
17:58it's a blessing
17:59in disguise
17:59now that Clara's dead
18:01you can finally marry Celesta
18:02mom
18:03that was my daughter
18:04so what if she was your daughter?
18:06she's dead now
18:07this is perfect
18:08now we don't have to worry
18:09about splitting the assets
18:10in a divorce
18:11ma'am
18:12these are two human lives
18:13we're talking about
18:13what about them?
18:14this is family business
18:16it's none of your concern
18:17let's go
18:17Celesta's still waiting
18:18for us to finish dinner
18:20Damien allowed himself
18:21to be pulled away
18:22for a moment
18:22then
18:23he looked back
18:24back at the cold storage unit
18:25wait
18:26he shook off his mother's hand
18:28and walked back
18:29he knelt beside the bodies
18:30for a long time
18:31then
18:32he reached out
18:33gently smoothing the hair
18:34and straightening the clothes
18:35on the decoy
18:36Clara I'm so sorry
18:39I was wrong
18:41I really
18:42I didn't know
18:43it would end like this
18:44why are you apologizing
18:46to her
18:46it's her own fault
18:48for having such a short life
18:49she deserved it
18:50shut up
18:52Damien stood up
18:53and addressed the officer
18:55I'm taking the bodies back
18:57I'm going to hold
18:58a grand funeral
18:59two flickering lamps
19:01stood by the Vance estate entrance
19:02the viewing room
19:03was in the side hall
19:05right next to the room
19:06I lived in before
19:07Celeste and Briar
19:08had already moved
19:09into the master suite
19:10the whole house
19:11was busy catering to them
19:12but Damien
19:13he sat in the viewing room
19:15guarding the caskets
19:16two cryo caskets
19:18side by side
19:18cold and silent
19:19Mira showed up once
19:21he kicked her out
19:22get out
19:22Damien
19:23I didn't mean it
19:25I was just out with friends
19:27and lost track of time
19:30Damien looked at her
19:31his eyes bloodshot with rage
19:32how was I supposed to know
19:34they would actually die
19:35you lost track of time
19:37two lives are gone
19:39and you think losing track of time
19:40fixes it
19:41then what do you want from me
19:42you want me to die for her
19:44is she even worth it
19:47she was just a low-class woman
19:48she's gone
19:49so what
19:50Damien struck her hard
19:51Mira frozen shock
19:53get out
19:54if I ever see your face again
19:56you are no longer my sister
19:58then Celeste arrived
19:59Damien please
20:00let it go
20:02I'm sure she wouldn't want to see you like this
20:04from the other side
20:05Damien looked up at her
20:06cold as ice
20:07do you know what they were doing
20:09while you were celebrating
20:09I was at your house
20:12having dinner
20:15they were in the snow
20:17waiting to die
20:20waiting for someone
20:21who was never coming
20:22to save them
20:23Celeste turned pale
20:25that was your sister's fault
20:26what does that have to do with me
20:27with me
20:28your mother was the one
20:29who insisted I come back
20:30for Christmas
20:30I wouldn't have gone through
20:32the trouble of traveling
20:33for the holidays
20:33if it wasn't for her
20:34and besides
20:35you're the one
20:36who kicked them out of the car
20:37right
20:37you went through so much trouble
20:39but they froze to death
20:41they literally froze to death
20:42Celeste went silent
20:44Damien stood up
20:45and walked to the cryo casket
20:46gently brushing his hand
20:48against the coal glass
20:49I keep thinking
20:50what if I had just answered
20:52that video call
20:53what if I had gone
20:54to pick them up
20:55what if I hadn't said
20:56those things
20:57Celeste bit her lip
20:58and turned to leave
20:59Damien don't forget
21:00I'm the one carrying
21:01the family heir now
21:03that dead woman
21:04she's useless now
21:05the heavy doors
21:07of the viewing room
21:07clicked shut
21:08Damien collapsed
21:10sliding down
21:10against the side
21:11of the casket
21:12until he hit the floor
21:12on the surveillance feed
21:14I watched his shoulders shake
21:15how pathetic
21:17he didn't care
21:18when we were breathing
21:18now that we're dead
21:20he acts like he has a heart
21:21I raised my wrist
21:23and sent an encrypted message
21:24to my father
21:24can we start
21:25my father's reply
21:26popped up instantly
21:27anytime
21:28the Vance group's empire
21:30began to collapse
21:31first
21:32their biggest client
21:33abruptly canceled their contract
21:34jumping ship
21:35to sign a 10 year deal
21:36with their library
21:37then the banks
21:38pulled their credit lines
21:39snapping the company's
21:41financial backbone
21:42suppliers swarmed
21:43the headquarters
21:44demanding payment
21:45all at once
21:46Damien was drowning
21:47he started sleeping
21:49at the office
21:49every night
21:50Priscilla screamed at him
21:52through the comms
21:52you're never home
21:54what if Celeste gets upset
21:56the company is dying
21:58do you even understand
22:00so what if it is
22:01we have plenty of money
22:03mom we're about to be bankrupt
22:04the house
22:05the cars
22:06the accounts
22:06it's all being liquidated
22:07to pay the debt
22:08soon you might not even
22:09be able to afford a meal
22:10that's impossible
22:11is it
22:13Damien cut the transmission
22:14he sat in his office
22:16staring out the window
22:17at the skyline
22:18everything he had built
22:19over the last 10 years
22:20gone overnight
22:22suddenly
22:23his wristband vibrated
22:24an encrypted string of numbers
22:25flashed on the display
22:26no hologram
22:27no ID
22:32a man's voice
22:33came through the comms
22:34Mr. Vance
22:35did you receive my gift?
22:38who is this?
22:40you don't need to know
22:41who I am
22:42you just need to know
22:43that this is only
22:44the beginning
22:45the debt you owe
22:46will be paid
22:48with the entire
22:49Vance group
22:50the connection
22:51cut to static
22:52Damien tried to dial back
22:54but a grey notification
22:55flashed on his terminal
22:56the ID you are trying to reach
22:58does not exist
22:59his hand began to shake
23:01as he gripped the device
23:02Vance group
23:03officially entered
23:04bankruptcy liquidation
23:06the estate
23:07the cars
23:08every single asset
23:09was auctioned off
23:10Priscilla was forced
23:11out of the mansion
23:12and into a cramped
23:13rental unit
23:14Celeste took Breyer
23:15and left
23:16clutching the last bit
23:17of credits she could scavenge
23:18I can't suffer with you
23:20Damien
23:21Breyer has her schooling
23:22to think about
23:24Damien moved
23:25into the small side wing
23:26where the caskets were kept
23:27he had managed
23:28to keep the cryo units
23:29he spread a blanket
23:31on the floor
23:31and slept right there
23:32beside them
23:33Mira came to find him once
23:35you've thrown away
23:36the entire family empire
23:38for a dead woman
23:39how can you do this to mom
23:41then who is gonna make
23:42things right for Clara
23:44Damien looked at her
23:45his voice a ghost
23:46of its former self
23:48who is gonna make it
23:49right for Aurora
23:50Mira never came back
23:52Damien started looking
23:53for work
23:54but in this city
23:55the reputation
23:55of a bankrupt CEO
23:57spreads faster
23:58than a virus
23:58no one would hire him
24:00he ended up
24:01at a construction site
24:02in the old district
24:03$200 a day
24:04working until his back
24:05felt like it would snap
24:06at night
24:07he'd return to the viewing room
24:08and eat cheap bread
24:09from a convenience store
24:10then he'd sit by the caskets
24:11and talk to himself
24:12Clara
24:13the foreman yelled at me today
24:16said I was weak
24:18said I didn't work
24:19like a real man
24:21I remembered how you used
24:22to tell me to slow down
24:24but my health was more important
24:26I thought you were just
24:28nagging
24:29nagging
24:29back then
24:32now I realize
24:36you were the only one
24:37who actually cared about me
24:39he pulled out
24:40a crumpled cigarette
24:40and lit it
24:41if Aurora were still here
24:42she'd be starting
24:43preschool about now
24:44Clara
24:45you always said
24:46you wanted her
24:46to take piano lessons
24:49I told you
24:50it was a waste of money
24:51I'm such a scumbag
24:52the cigarette
24:53burned down to his fingers
24:54but he didn't even feel it
24:56in the surveillance room
24:57my father looked at me
24:59have you seen enough
25:00I shook my head
25:01no
25:01I've seen enough
25:03get everything ready
25:04I'm going back to the company
25:06next week
25:07you're taking over
25:08yes
25:10the Vance group has fallen
25:11my debt is settled
25:13it's time to start
25:14my own life now
25:15my father nodded
25:16fine
25:16but there's one thing
25:18you should know
25:18what is it
25:19Damien is looking for you
25:21it looks like he figured out
25:22the android double
25:23was a fake
25:24and Damien had
25:25while going through
25:26my remains
25:27he found something
25:28that didn't add up
25:29tucked inside the pocket
25:30of my old winter coat
25:31was a crumpled store receipt
25:32the date on it
25:34was three days
25:34after I had supposedly died
25:36it was for a strawberry shortcake
25:38Aurora's favorite
25:39dead people don't buy cake
25:42Damien stared at the receipt
25:43his hands trembling violently
25:44I was the one
25:46who made sure he found it
25:47he went straight to that bakery
25:49to check the security footage
25:50on the screen
25:51a woman in a mask
25:52was holding a little girl's hand
25:53even with her face covered
25:55that silhouette
25:56that walk
25:57it was Clara and Aurora
25:59Damien sprinted out of the store
26:01like a madman
26:02he went everywhere
26:03we used to go
26:04the parks
26:05the malls
26:05the playground
26:06finally
26:07outside a private preschool
26:08he saw Aurora
26:09she was wearing a pink dress
26:11with her hair and pigtails
26:12a man in a suit
26:13was holding her hand
26:14leading her toward a car
26:17Aurora
26:18Aurora froze
26:19then immediately hid
26:19behind the man in the suit
26:20Damien tried to grab her
26:22but the man blocked him
26:23sir
26:23what are you doing
26:24that's my daughter
26:26where's Clara
26:27where's her mother
26:28I don't know anyone
26:29named Clara
26:30this is my employer's daughter
26:32move aside
26:33Damien didn't believe him
26:34he reached out
26:35to pull Aurora toward him
26:37suddenly Aurora burst into tears
26:39Batman you're a bad man
26:41you made mommy cry
26:42Damien went stiff
26:44Aurora
26:47I'm your daddy
26:48no you're not
26:50my daddy is dead
26:53mommy said so
26:55she said he didn't want us
26:57and now he's dead
27:00Damien looked like
27:01he'd been struck by lightning
27:02just then
27:03a sleek black sedan
27:04pulled up to the curb
27:05the window rolled down slowly
27:07I sat in the back seat
27:09watching them
27:09long time no see Damien
27:11Damien turned
27:13when he saw me
27:13his pupils blown wide
27:14with shock
27:15Clara
27:16you really
27:17you're not dead
27:19I stepped out of the car
27:20walked over to Aurora
27:21and swept her into my arms
27:23no thanks to you
27:24I'm still breathing
27:26mommy
27:26that scary man
27:27tried to grab me
27:29it's okay baby
27:29mommy's here
27:31you played me
27:33you lied to me
27:34this whole time
27:35I did
27:36the android double
27:37was a fake
27:38my death was a setup
27:40how else was I supposed
27:41to make you feel
27:42what it's like
27:43to lose everything
27:44how could you be so cruel
27:46cruel
27:47Damien
27:47were you cruel
27:48when you kicked your wife
27:49and daughter out onto
27:50the highway in a blizzard
27:51were you cruel
27:52when you refused
27:52to pay for her medical bills
27:54Damien opened his mouth
27:56but no sound came out
27:57the black sedan's engine
27:59hummed softly
28:00holding Aurora in my arms
28:02I turned to get into the car
28:04Damien suddenly
28:05lunged at us
28:06like a madman
28:06Clara
28:07don't go
28:09please
28:09I know I was wrong
28:10I really know I was wrong
28:12just give me one more chance
28:13I'll make it up to you
28:15I'll be a good father
28:16a good husband
28:18bad man
28:20don't want bad man
28:22a chance
28:23when you abandoned us
28:25on the highway
28:25in minus 5 degrees
28:27did you give us a chance
28:29when your daughter
28:30was fighting for her life
28:31and you refused
28:32to pay a single cent
28:33did you give us a chance
28:37I raised my hand
28:38and signaled the driver
28:39drive the car
28:41the driver stepped
28:42on the gas immediately
28:43Damien was dragged
28:44forward two steps
28:45Clara
28:46I'll find you
28:48I swear I'll find you both
28:50through the rearview mirror
28:51I gave him one last glance
28:53like looking at a bug
28:55that had been completely crushed
28:58three days later
29:00in the top floor office
29:01of Whitfield Group
29:02the entire wall
29:04is covered in holographic screens
29:06blasting breaking news
29:08from all over the city
29:09my dad sits in his leather chair
29:12tapping his fingers
29:13on the desk
29:15he's still looking for you
29:17I set my glass down
29:18and slide a legal document
29:20across the desk to him
29:21custody lawsuit
29:23plaintiff
29:24Clara Whitfield
29:26defendant
29:26Damien Vance
29:27I'm going to make him
29:29admit every single one
29:30of his crimes in open court
29:31I'm going to make sure
29:32he legally loses the right
29:34to ever get close to Aurora again
29:35I want the whole world
29:37to see what a piece of trash
29:38he really is
29:40my girl
29:41you've finally grown up
29:43suddenly
29:44my smart band
29:45flashes a bright red
29:46emergency light
29:47it's Felix
29:49I answer it
29:50my heart dropping
29:51his voice is shaking
29:53completely panicked
29:54Clara
29:55grab Aurora
29:56and run right now
29:57Damien has lost his mind
30:00he found out where you live
30:03outside the villa gates
30:05Damien clutched
30:06a printed sheet
30:07with an address on it
30:08in his hand
30:09I want to see my daughter
30:10she's my daughter
30:13sir
30:13this is private property
30:15no one enters
30:16without permission
30:17get out of my way
30:18that's my child
30:19I have the right
30:20to see her
30:21he violently shoved
30:22the guard aside
30:23and charged
30:24toward the villa
30:25Clara
30:26open the door
30:28I know you're in there
30:29Aurora
30:30daddy's here
30:31daddy's here
30:32to take you home
30:33the door slowly opened
30:34but it wasn't me
30:36let go of me
30:37what right do you have
30:38to touch me
30:39upstairs
30:40I stood by the floor
30:41to ceiling window
30:42with Aurora in my arms
30:43my father beside me
30:46sunlight spilled
30:47across my body
30:48warm
30:49bright
30:50untouchable
30:51still struggling
30:53Damien looked up
30:54the moment he saw me
30:56he froze
30:56Aurora
30:57remember this
30:59this man is not
31:00your father
31:00he's just a stranger
31:02who tried to hurt you
31:03and mommy
31:04stranger
31:05bad man
31:08one week later
31:10the supreme court
31:11the courtroom is packed
31:13for the public trial
31:14Damien stands in the
31:16defendant's box
31:17his hair has gone grey
31:18he looks like he aged
31:2010 years overnight
31:21at the plaintiff's table
31:23I sat calmly
31:24in a simple tailored suit
31:26composed and unshaken
31:28my lawyer presents
31:29all the evidence
31:30piece by piece
31:32highway security footage
31:34proof that he kicked
31:35his own wife and daughter
31:37out of the car
31:39phone records
31:40proof that he blocked
31:41my calls
31:42and refused to pay
31:43for emergency medical bills
31:44Damien she is your daughter
31:46are you gonna transfer
31:47the money or not
31:48no
31:49the judge bangs the gavel
31:51defendant Damien Vance
31:52how do you plead to these charges
31:54Damien looks up at me
31:56I plead guilty
32:00I ruined my own family
32:02I'm so sorry
32:03the judge bangs the gavel again
32:05to deliver the verdict
32:07Damien Vance is permanently
32:09stripped of all custody and
32:11visitation rights for Aurora
32:12Whitsfield
32:13a lifetime restraining order
32:15is issued
32:15Damien Vance must pay
32:17full child support
32:18until Aurora is an adult
32:19along with massive
32:20emotional damages
32:21and medical bills
32:22for child abandonment
32:23and endangering a minor
32:25Damien Vance is sentenced
32:26to community service
32:27and will be permanently
32:28blacklisted on all
32:29financial and social credits
32:31the final gavel falls
32:33I stand up
32:35take Aurora's hand
32:36and turn my back on him
32:37we walk out of the courtroom
32:39and the sunlight covers us both
32:44Three months later
32:46the Aurora Express Arctic Circle
32:49I'm sitting by the window
32:51holding Aurora in my arms
32:53outside the green northern lights
32:56cover the entire night sky
32:58like a flowing river of stars
33:00she looks healthy
33:02bright
33:02and her eyes are sparkling
33:04Mommy look
33:06the lights are so pretty
33:08yeah baby
33:10Mommy brought you here
33:11to see them
33:12and we're gonna come back
33:14every single year
33:16Mommy
33:17will that bad man
33:19ever come back?
33:21never again
33:22starting today
33:24nobody can ever hurt you
33:27Mommy will protect you forever
33:29my smart band lights up
33:32with a soft chime
33:33it's a text from my dad
33:35all remaining Vance Group assets
33:37have been merged into Whitfield
33:39Damien is stuck breaking his back
33:41on a construction site
33:42to his debts
33:43he's completely finished
33:44Celise, Mira, and Priscilla
33:46are all broke
33:47and hate each other now
33:48welcome home
33:49my little princess
33:50I shut off the screen
33:52the northern lights
33:54dance outside the window
33:55Aurora falls fast asleep
33:58in my arms
33:58safe and sound
34:00I look out into the night
34:02and speak softly
34:03under my breath
34:04Damien, look at us now
34:06everything you threw away
34:08I took it all back
34:09everything you destroyed
34:10I rebuilt it all
34:12everything you owed us
34:14you'll spend the rest of your life
34:15paying for it
34:16and me and Aurora
34:17we are going to be happy forever
34:19the train speeds
34:21through the northern lights
34:22heading straight into a future
34:24full of endless light
34:30you
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