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Court Métrage
Enjoy addictive short dramas packed with romance, betrayal, revenge, emotional moments, and shocking plot twists.
From billionaire love stories to hidden identities and dramatic relationships, Drama Tales delivers nonstop entertainment with fast-paced storytelling and unforgettable characters.
🔥 Viral Shorts Drama
💔 Romance & Heartbreak
⚡ Unexpected Plot Twists
🎭 Emotional Drama Series
New episodes uploaded regularly. Subscribe and enjoy the world of short drama entertainment with Drama Tales
#ShortDrama #DramaSeries
Catégorie
🎥
Court Métrage
Catégorie
📺
TVTranscription
00:13To be continued...
00:30The call was disconnected. I called 911 again, this time begging for EMS.
00:36After checking the system, the dispatcher hesitated.
00:39Ma'am, your number and address have been flagged in the computer-aided dispatch system as a suspected false domestic
00:45dispute report.
00:46We need to contact your next of kin for verification.
00:49They called Darian. Loud music blared in the background. He only said...
00:53She's having another meltdown. Don't send anyone.
00:57Smoke poured into the bedroom.
00:59I smashed the window and jumped from the second floor.
01:02I survived, but the doctor told me I had been pregnant, and my baby was gone.
01:08That same night, Darian was cutting Seleni's birthday cake.
01:14Help! My house is on fire! I'm locked inside!
01:18Covering my mouth and nose, I crouched low against the wall while frantically redialing 911.
01:24The flames had already climbed from the stone to the upper cabinets.
01:28The range hood crackled with sharp electrical pops as thick black smoke rolled into the living room.
01:33The call connected.
01:34Haven Bridge 911, what's your emergency?
01:37My house is on fire!
01:39The front door is locked with a double-cylinder dead hold, and my husband took the key.
01:43I can't get out.
01:44My address, Briarstone Row.
01:45Right after I gave the address, there was a long pause on the line.
01:49The dispatcher's tone turned hesitant seconds later.
01:51Mrs. Crossville, the system shows an internal note for this address.
01:56Captain Crossville advised us that you might place a false emergency call tonight because of a personal argument.
02:01It's not a false alarm! The house is really on fire!
02:04The kitchen is burning! I'm trapped inside!
02:07Please, send a fire truck right now!
02:13The dispatcher sounded as though every word was coming straight from protocol.
02:17Mrs. Crossville, 911 emergency services cannot be used for marital disputes.
02:22We need to verify the situation first.
02:25Verify what? I'm about to burn to death!
02:27The call was disconnected.
02:29I stared at the dark screen, my fingers stiff.
02:32The next second, something exploded in the kitchen.
02:36The living room curtains burst into flames.
02:38A wave of scorching heat slammed into my face, forcing me backward.
02:43I immediately dialed again.
02:44I'm not joking! Please send someone! I'm going to die!
02:48Mrs. Crossfield, Captain Crossfield's note clearly states that you may become emotionally unstable tonight.
02:52The call was cut off again.
02:54My phone buzzed almost instantly.
02:56A private message from Darian.
02:59Mara, are you done yet?
03:01It's just Samina's birthday.
03:03Did you seriously have to drag the dispatch center into this?
03:06If you keep pulling this stunt, I'm not coming home tonight.
03:09I stared at the messages, my throat tightening.
03:12The fire was real.
03:13I was really dying.
03:15But 911 didn't believe me.
03:18No.
03:18Darian made sure they wouldn't.
03:20Grinding my teeth, I dialed 911 again and begged for EMS.
03:28911, what's your emergency?
03:31Help!
03:32My house is on fire!
03:34I'm hurt!
03:35I'm locked inside!
03:36Please hurry!
03:38Please confirm your address.
03:39The moment I finished, the dispatcher paused for a few seconds before speaking with obvious impatience.
03:45Ma'am, the system shows you've recently made a suspected false domestic dispute report.
03:50We need to confirm with your next of Cain.
03:52It wasn't a false record!
03:54I'm really locked inside my house!
03:56Please hold.
03:57The call stayed connected.
03:59A few seconds later, I heard the dispatcher dial another number.
04:03It was noisy on the other end.
04:05Music.
04:05People cheering.
04:06Then, I heard Darian's voice.
04:08Her again?
04:09Captain Crossvale, can you confirm the caller's report?
04:12She claims her home is on fire, she's trapped inside, and she's requesting EMS.
04:17She's throwing a tantrum.
04:19Don't send anyone.
04:20Then, a soft female voice laughed beside him.
04:23It was Selene.
04:24She's always like this.
04:27Don't let her ruin tonight.
04:29The dispatcher replied.
04:30Understood, Captain.
04:31I clutched my phone as my breathing grew more frantic.
04:34Smoke flooded the room, making me double over in a violent coughing fit.
04:39The living room was completely blocked.
04:41The front door wouldn't budge.
04:42The kitchen fire kept spreading.
04:44If I stayed, I would burn alive.
04:46I rushed into the guest bedroom, grabbed a chair, and smashed it into the window.
04:50Glass exploded across the floor.
04:55This was the second floor.
04:57Below was the street.
04:58Jumping might leave me crippled, but staying meant certain death.
05:01Clinging to the window frame, I screamed.
05:03Help!
05:04Fire!
05:05Somebody help!
05:06People looked up.
05:08Some stopped in the street.
05:09Others started shouting.
05:10The flames had already reached the bedroom.
05:12The curtains blackened.
05:14The bedsheets began to smoke.
05:15I had no time left.
05:17Gritting my teeth, I climbed onto the windowsill, shut my eyes, and jumped.
05:21The instant my back slammed into the pavement, it felt as if every bone in my body had shattered.
05:26Blinding pain shot through my leg and belly, and my vision instantly blurred to black.
05:31Chaos erupted all around me.
05:34Call 911!
05:35The house is really on fire!
05:36She's bleeding!
05:37I lay motionless on the ground.
05:39Blood streamed down my legs.
05:41Before I lost consciousness, I was still gripping my phone.
05:44The screen was frozen on my chat with Darian.
05:46Dr. Elowen Hart stood beside my bed, medical chart in hand.
05:50Mrs. Vane?
05:50You're awake.
05:52You have a fracture in your right arm, soft tissue damage to your left leg, smoke inhalation,
05:57severe abdominal trauma, and multiple cuts and abrasions.
06:01You're out of immediate danger.
06:03Dr. Hart turned another page of the chart.
06:05During emergency treatment, we discovered you were six weeks pregnant.
06:09Unfortunately, we couldn't save the baby.
06:12I stared blankly at the ceiling.
06:14A loud ringing filled my ears.
06:19Pregnant.
06:20I had actually been pregnant.
06:22We had spent three years trying for a baby.
06:24Fertility tests.
06:25Treatments.
06:26Hormone monitoring.
06:27Strict diets.
06:28I tried everything.
06:30Every time we failed, I told myself the next time would be different.
06:34And finally, I was pregnant.
06:36But my baby was gone.
06:37The person who killed my child was none other than its father.
06:40I turned my head, picked up my phone, and called Darian.
06:44It rang for a long time before he answered.
06:46The music inside the Gilton Ash private lounge was deafening.
06:50Celine's voice sounded painfully close.
06:52Darian, come cut the cake with me.
06:55Darian, I'm in the hospital.
06:58So?
07:00Are you done making a scene yet?
07:02I was pregnant.
07:03Silence fell for a second.
07:05Our baby is gone.
07:06Mara, you've really outdone yourself.
07:08First the 911 call, then the ambulance, and now you're making up a miscarriage?
07:13Why stop there?
07:14Why not say you almost died too?
07:16I jumped from the second floor.
07:19Keep acting.
07:22It's Selena's birthday today.
07:23Do you really have to ruin it?
07:24Come to Halewick Medical Center and see for yourself.
07:29I don't have time for your drama.
07:31He hung up.
07:32I set my phone down and opened social media.
07:35Celine had just posted a new story.
07:38In the photo, Darian stood behind her.
07:40The caption read,
07:41Someone promised me he'll spend every birthday with me from now on.
07:44I looked at it for two seconds.
07:46Then I closed the app and texted my best friend, Tessa.
07:49Help me file for divorce.
07:51You finally came to your senses?
07:52As fast as possible.
07:57The next morning, the hospital room door opened.
08:00Darian was here.
08:02He was holding a bouquet of flowers.
08:04Celine followed behind him.
08:05The moment I saw the bouquet, my fingers froze.
08:08White lilies.
08:09I was allergic to lily pollen.
08:10As soon as she walked in, Celine smiled.
08:13Mara, Darian brought me here first thing this morning to check on you.
08:16Darian walked to my bedside and casually tossed the bouquet onto me.
08:21Finish throwing your little tantrum yet?
08:23The flowers hit my chest.
08:24The strong fragrance rucks...
08:25Take them away!
08:27My throat tightened immediately.
08:28I swept the bouquet onto...
08:29What are you throwing a fit for now?
08:32I looked straight at him.
08:34I'm allergic to pollen.
08:36He didn't even frown.
08:38How am I supposed to remember every little thing?
08:41Mara, I'm so sorry.
08:44I didn't know you were allergic to white lilas.
08:47That's my fault.
08:49I just wanted to buy the most fragrant ones.
08:51Then she leaned closer and whispered smugly.
08:54By the way, Darian took me shopping for baby applides this morning.
08:58He told me he absolutely adores kids.
09:02It's just a shame someone can't seem to stay pregnant.
09:04I looked up at her.
09:05She was smiling.
09:06Her eyes were full of provocation.
09:08I grabbed the water glass from my bedside.
09:09Get out!
09:10Oh, yeah.
09:12Ah!
09:16The glass shattered at her feet, sending water splashing everywhere.
09:20Celine screamed and instantly hid behind Darian.
09:25Darian!
09:26I was just here to check on her.
09:29Shut up!
09:32This is a hospital room, not your stage.
09:35Darian grabbed my wrist.
09:37His face livid.
09:39Mara, can you stop making a scene?
09:41I pulled my hand free,
09:43took the divorce papers from beneath my pillow,
09:45and threw them at me.
09:49Sign it.
09:50The room fell silent.
09:51Darian glanced down at the documents,
09:53his expression turning frighteningly dark.
09:56What did you just say?
09:59I want a divorce.
10:02My voice wasn't loud,
10:04but firm and unwavering.
10:06I want a divorce.
10:08I don't want your money.
10:09I don't want the house.
10:10I just want to cut you out of my life.
10:13A flash of delight crossed Celine's eyes,
10:15but she quickly put on a concerned expression.
10:18Darian.
10:20Mara just had a miscarriage.
10:22She's emotional.
10:23Don't argue with her.
10:26I whipped my head toward her.
10:28How do you know I had a miscarriage?
10:31Celine froze.
10:32Darian turned to look at her, too.
10:34She quickly stammered.
10:37I...
10:38I...
10:38I guessed.
10:39I let out a cold laugh,
10:41and looked back at Darian.
10:42Do you believe her?
10:44Or the medical records?
10:45He grabbed the agreement,
10:47and slowly tore it into pieces right in front of me.
10:49Mara.
10:50Divorce isn't going to scare me.
10:52If you want to make a scene,
10:53I'll play along.
10:55But don't think I'll indulge you forever.
10:57I brushed the paper scraps off my face.
11:01My voice turned ice cold.
11:03Fine.
11:04Then I'll see you in court.
11:08On my third day in the hospital,
11:10Dr. Elowen Hart finally agreed to discharge me,
11:12so I could recover at home.
11:14She said I had a hairline fracture in my leg,
11:16severe abdominal soft tissue injuries,
11:18and significant smoke inhalation.
11:20Ideally, I should remain under observation
11:22for at least another week.
11:23But I didn't agree.
11:24I only asked quietly,
11:26Can I leave today?
11:27Dr. Hart looked at me for a long moment
11:28before closing my chart.
11:30Her tone turned more serious.
11:31If you insist,
11:33you can sign yourself out.
11:34But if anything happens after you're discharged,
11:37you'll be responsible.
11:39When Tessa came to pick me up,
11:41she was carrying another stack
11:42of freshly printed documents.
11:44The divorce petition,
11:45the property division inventory,
11:47and a draft civil complaint.
11:49She placed them in my lap.
11:50Her eyes fell on the brace around my injured leg.
11:53She tried to hold back,
11:54but couldn't.
11:55Mara Vane.
11:57Are you absolutely sure about this?
11:59Maybe wait another couple of days?
12:01Look at the condition you're in.
12:03I cut her off.
12:04We can't wait.
12:05My throat was still raw from the smoke,
12:06leaving my voice hoarse and strained.
12:08The property management office just called.
12:10They've finished documenting the fire scene,
12:12and homeowners are allowed back
12:14to collect their belongings.
12:15If we wait until clean up and repairs begin,
12:18it'll be even harder to find what I need.
12:20Do you really think there's anything left?
12:23I lowered my eyes to the documents resting on my lap.
12:26My fingers slowly tightened around them.
12:31The fire started in the kitchen.
12:33At its worst,
12:34the kitchen,
12:35living room,
12:36and guest bedroom
12:37were almost completely destroyed.
12:39The walls were blackened with soot.
12:41The curtains and furniture
12:43were scorched and curled.
12:45Even the hardwood floors
12:46had swollen from the water
12:47used to put out the fire.
12:49But the firefighters
12:50had managed to contain the blaze in time.
12:52The master bedroom
12:53hadn't been completely destroyed.
12:55It had filled with smoke,
12:57but most of what was inside the closets
12:59should still be there.
13:00My passport,
13:02my birth certificate,
13:03the property deeds,
13:04and the wooden box
13:07my mother left me.
13:08Inside were the keepsakes she left behind,
13:11the only things
13:11I had never been willing to risk losing.
13:13More importantly,
13:14every original document I needed
13:16for the divorce lawsuit
13:17was inside.
13:18If I waited any longer,
13:20who knew whether I'd ever get them back?
13:22Let's go first.
13:23I looked up at Tessa.
13:25We grab my things and leave.
13:30Tessa was silent for a few seconds
13:32before letting out a sigh
13:33and helping me into the car.
13:41Once we were on the road,
13:43she kept her eyes on the traffic
13:44and said quietly,
13:46I've already spoken
13:47with property management.
13:49The spare key is with the building manager.
13:51Don't worry.
13:52I'll go in with you.
13:54I won't leave you there alone.
13:59I nodded.
14:02Then I turned to look out the window.
14:06The sunlight wasn't even bright,
14:08yet my eyes still burned,
14:10as if the smoke from the fire
14:12had settled there
14:13and refused to leave.
14:15I'd spent so much time
14:17making that townhouse into a home.
14:19The colour of the sofa,
14:20the dining table,
14:22the pattern on the curtains,
14:23the warm light in the entryway,
14:26even every plate and bowl in the kitchen.
14:28I had picked them all out myself.
14:30I thought it was our home.
14:32But I'd finally learned the truth.
14:35It was just a house I'd built
14:36with my money,
14:37my effort,
14:38and all my love.
14:40Only for someone else to take it over.
14:43And now,
14:44I wasn't going back to go home.
14:46I was going back to take the last things
14:48that still belonged to me
14:50before everything was completely ruined.
14:58By the time we pulled up
14:59outside the townhouse,
15:02the wound in my leg
15:03had begun throbbing again.
15:06Tessa got out first
15:08and came around to help me.
15:14The hallway still carried
15:16the faint smell of smoke,
15:18waiting to be hauled away.
15:20The air felt damp and heavy.
15:22Fresh safety inspection notices
15:24were posted on the walls.
15:26I climbed the stairs slowly.
15:28With every step,
15:29my abdomen and back
15:30felt as though
15:31they were being torn open
15:32all over again.
15:33Afraid I wouldn't make it,
15:35Tessa muttered under her breath.
15:36That bastard better pray
15:38I never get my hands on him.
15:39I said nothing.
15:41When we reached the front door,
15:42she inserted the spare key
15:44she'd collected
15:44from the property manager
15:45and gently turned the lock.
15:47The door opened.
15:48The first thing that hit us
15:49wasn't just the lingering smell of smoke.
15:51It was the overpowering stench of alcohol.
15:53Something felt wrong.
15:55Tessa froze too.
15:56Instinctively,
15:56she stepped in front of me.
16:00The living room
16:02was even worse
16:03than I'd imagined.
16:04The walls were still stained
16:05with thick black soot.
16:07Part of the ceiling
16:08near the kitchen
16:08had been scorched yellow
16:09and cracked by the fire.
16:11The floor was covered
16:12with dried,
16:13filthy water stains
16:14left behind
16:14by the firefighters.
16:15But in the very place
16:17where I had nearly
16:17burned to death,
16:19the coffee table
16:20was littered
16:21with empty liquor bottles,
16:22take-out containers,
16:23and overflowing ashtrays.
16:25A woman's shawl
16:26lay tossed across the sofa,
16:27a pair of stockings
16:28and a pair of bright red stilettos.
16:30It looked as though
16:31someone had turned
16:31my burned-out home
16:32into a playground.
16:34Tessa's face darkened
16:35with rage as she hissed.
16:37She really moved in?
16:38I didn't answer.
16:40Supporting myself
16:41against the wall,
16:42I made my way
16:43toward the master bedroom.
16:44The door was slightly open.
16:46Soft breathing
16:47drifted from inside.
16:49The moment I pushed it open,
16:51I froze.
16:57Selene was sound asleep
16:58in my bed,
16:59wrapped in my comforter.
17:00She wore my nightgown,
17:01her hair spread
17:01across the pillow
17:02I had bought.
17:02Half a glass of milk
17:03sat on the nightstand
17:04beside unopened
17:05imported fruit.
17:06She looked every bit
17:07like the mistress
17:08of the house,
17:09even like a pregnant woman
17:10being lovingly cared for.
17:12I stood in the doorway,
17:13pale-faced,
17:14my injured leg in a brace,
17:15still smelling
17:15of disinfectant and smoke.
17:17I looked like the outsider
17:18who'd stumbled
17:19into the wrong place.
17:20Hearing the noise,
17:21Selene slowly opened her eyes.
17:23The moment she saw me,
17:24she paused.
17:24Then,
17:25she casually rested a hand
17:26on her flat stomach
17:27and gave me a lazy smile.
17:29Mara,
17:30you're out of the hospital.
17:32You should have told us
17:33you were coming.
17:34Darian isn't here today,
17:35so there's no one
17:36to make soup for you.
17:40Have you no shame?
17:43I raised my hand
17:44to stop her.
17:45My eyes never left Selene.
17:51She sat up in bed
17:53and deliberately pulled
17:54the blanket over one shoulder,
17:55revealing several
17:56unmistakable love bites
17:57along her collarbone.
17:58A few men's clothes
18:00were scattered
18:00at the foot of the bed.
18:01I didn't even need
18:02to look closely
18:03to know whose they were.
18:04She followed my gaze,
18:05the smile on her lips
18:06growing even wider.
18:07Don't look at me like that.
18:11Darian was worried
18:12I'd have trouble
18:12sleeping alone last night,
18:14so he came back
18:15to keep me company.
18:18Something stabbed
18:19straight through my chest.
18:21The pain left me numb.
18:22Last night,
18:23while I lay bleeding
18:24after jumping
18:25from the second floor,
18:26waiting for an ambulance,
18:27he was celebrating
18:28Selene's birthday.
18:29And now,
18:30after I had barely escaped
18:31the fire with my life,
18:32he had put her in my bed.
18:34I stared at her,
18:34my voice rough and hoarse.
18:36Get up!
18:37Selene tilted her head,
18:39pretending not to understand.
18:40Then my eyes landed
18:42on the pale yellow
18:42baby blanket beneath her.
18:44It was the blanket
18:45I'd bought for the baby
18:46I never got to hold.
18:51Now the blanket
18:52was stained
18:53with spilled red wine.
18:55A large patch
18:56was covered
18:56with dried vomit.
18:57One corner
18:58had even been burned through
18:59by a cigarette.
19:00My face went cold.
19:02Get up.
19:03Selene glanced down
19:04at the blanket
19:05and laughed.
19:06It's just a blanket.
19:07Why are you so worked up?
19:09I walked over,
19:10yanked it out
19:10from under her
19:11and held it tightly
19:12in my arms.
19:13She nearly fell off
19:13the bed.
19:15Her expression darkened.
19:18Mara, are you insane?
19:20I hugged the blanket
19:21and turned to leave.
19:23She stepped in front of me,
19:24lowering her voice.
19:25Do you really think
19:26you're still worth anything?
19:27Darien doesn't love you anymore.
19:29No one bit.
19:30While you were in the hospital,
19:31he had meals with me,
19:32went shopping with me,
19:33and spent every night with me.
19:35While you were lying
19:36in that hospital bed
19:37miscarrying,
19:38he was buying me breakfast.
19:39So tell me,
19:40what exactly are you now?
19:42Tessa had already
19:42started filming on her phone.
19:44Go on.
19:45Say a little more.
19:46It'll save you
19:47from denying it later.
19:48The moment Selene
19:49noticed the camera,
19:50her eyes flickered.
19:51Then, without warning,
19:52she slapped herself
19:52across the face twice.
19:55Mara, I already
19:56apologised.
19:57Why did you hit me?
19:58I didn't mean
19:59to sleep in your bed.
20:00I really didn't.
20:01At that moment,
20:02the front door
20:03burst open.
20:04Darien was back.
20:08He had just
20:09returned from a call.
20:10He was still
20:10in his fire department
20:11uniform,
20:11sweat beading
20:12across his forehead.
20:13The moment he walked in,
20:14he saw Selene
20:15sitting on the floor,
20:16clutching her face
20:17and crying.
20:17Selene!
20:18He rushed over
20:19and helped her up.
20:22She grabbed his sleeve,
20:24sobbing uncontrollably.
20:26Darien,
20:27don't blame Mara.
20:29It's my fault.
20:30I shouldn't have
20:31touched other things.
20:33Tessa immediately
20:34spoke up.
20:35I recorded everything.
20:36She just...
20:37Shut up!
20:38Darien didn't listen
20:39to another word.
20:40He turned
20:40and slapped me
20:41across the face,
20:42smack.
20:42The force sent me
20:43crashing into the wardrobe.
20:45Pain exploded
20:46through my fractured arm.
20:47The baby blanket
20:48slipped from my arms
20:49and fell to the floor.
20:50Tessa exploded.
20:51Darien!
20:52Have you lost your mind?
20:54She just got out
20:54of the hospital.
20:56Apologise to Selene.
20:58I steadied myself
20:59against the wardrobe.
21:00Blood filled
21:01the corner of my mouth.
21:04You want me
21:04to apologise to her?
21:07Yes.
21:07He stared at me.
21:09I'm counting to three.
21:11Three?
21:12I bent down,
21:13picked up the divorce papers
21:14from the floor.
21:14Darien,
21:16let's get divorced.
21:18He snatched them away
21:19and tore them
21:20into pieces again.
21:22I already told you,
21:24I'm not signing.
21:25Then I'll sue.
21:27I picked up my suitcase
21:28and headed for the door,
21:29but just as I reached it,
21:30a violent cramp
21:32twisted through my abdomen.
21:33My vision blurred completely.
21:35Cold sweat
21:35instantly soaked my back.
21:37My legs gave out
21:38and I collapsed to the ground.
21:41Mara!
21:42Call an ambulance!
21:44She's hemorrhaging!
21:45The last thing I heard
21:46before losing consciousness
21:47was Tessa shouting,
21:51When I woke up,
21:52the first thing I heard
21:53was Dr. Elowen Hart
21:55speaking outside the room.
21:56She hadn't recovered
21:57from the miscarriage.
21:59She also has multiple
22:00stab wounds and fractures.
22:01The impact she just suffered
22:03caused her abdominal injury
22:04to reopen.
22:05If she'd arrived
22:06ten minutes later,
22:07we wouldn't have been able
22:07to save her.
22:08Silence filled the hallway.
22:10Miscarriage?
22:11You didn't know?
22:12Her medical reds clearly state
22:13she suffered
22:14a terminated pregnancy
22:15after jumping from the second floor
22:16during the house fire
22:17a week ago.
22:18You're her husband.
22:19How could you not know?
22:21Another long silence.
22:22And the stab wounds
22:23on her body
22:24weren't caused by the fall.
22:25The police are already
22:26investigating a home invasion
22:27and suspected arson
22:29from that night.
22:29Your house didn't
22:30simply catch fire.
22:31What?
22:33A home invasion?
22:35There were obvious signs
22:36of a struggle at the scene.
22:37She suffered blunt force trauma
22:39to the abdomen.
22:40She also has defensive wounds
22:42on her arms,
22:43shoulders,
22:43and back.
22:44She was forced
22:45to jump out that window.
22:46The hallway fell
22:47completely silent.
22:48A few seconds later,
22:49the door opened.
22:50I opened my eyes.
22:52Darian stood beside my bed.
22:53Mara.
22:54His face was deathly pale.
22:55Was someone else
22:56in the house that day?
23:00I looked away.
23:01He reached for me
23:02when the door opened again.
23:03Selene walked in
23:04carrying a thermos.
23:05Darian,
23:06I made you some soup.
23:08Don't worry too much.
23:09Maybe Mara
23:10talked the doctor
23:10into lying to you again.
23:12Hasn't she done that before?
23:13The slap landed so hard
23:15that Selene's head
23:16snapped to the side.
23:17She stood there,
23:18stunned.
23:19Darian?
23:21Get out.
23:22You hit me?
23:23I said,
23:24get out!
23:24He grabbed her wrist,
23:25dragged her to the door,
23:26and threw her outside.
23:28If you hadn't kept saying
23:29she was putting on an act,
23:30I would have never
23:31locked her in that house.
23:32If you hadn't insisted
23:33on celebrating your birthday,
23:35I would have answered
23:36her calls.
23:37If you hadn't insisted
23:38on celebrating your birthday,
23:40I would have answered
23:41her calls.
23:42How is this my fault?
23:44You're the one
23:44who kept saying
23:45she always causes drama.
23:47You're the one
23:48who told everyone
23:49in the duty group
23:50not to respond
23:51to her calls.
23:52The room fell dead silent
23:53the moment those words
23:55left her mouth.
23:56Darian froze.
23:57I turned my head slowly
23:58and looked at him.
23:59Just then,
24:00his phone rang.
24:01A voice from the
24:02Haven Ridge Police Bureau
24:03came through.
24:04Captain Crossville.
24:05We've arrested the suspect
24:07in the home invasion
24:07and fire-related assault
24:08at your residence.
24:10His statement matches
24:11the exact timeline
24:12of your wife's 911 calls.
24:14In addition,
24:15we've recovered
24:15your department's
24:16dispatch group chat records
24:17and the notes entered
24:18into the computer-assated
24:19dispatch system.
24:20You need to report
24:20to the police station
24:21immediately.
24:22I'll be there right away.
24:23He looked at me.
24:24His lips parted slightly,
24:25but in the end,
24:26he said nothing.
24:28Then he turned
24:28and rushed out of the room.
24:35That afternoon,
24:36the nurse's station
24:37was buzzing with gossip.
24:38I heard they caught
24:39the intruder.
24:40He'd been hiding
24:40in a nearby neighborhood.
24:42His name's
24:42Kalen Rusk.
24:44Apparently he broke
24:44into steel,
24:45but the homeowner
24:46caught him.
24:46He pulled a knife on her
24:47and threatened her
24:48to be quiet.
24:49Then he accidentally
24:50knocked over a pan
24:51in the kitchen
24:51and that's how
24:52the fire started.
24:53Craziest part
24:54is that the homeowner
24:54kept calling 911
24:55for help,
24:56but her husband
24:57had already flagged
24:58her in the system
24:58as a likely false caller.
25:00Wasn't her husband
25:00a fire captain?
25:01Yeah.
25:02The police
25:03and the fire department's
25:04professional standards
25:05offices are both
25:06investigating now.
25:07I leaned quietly
25:08against my hospital bed.
25:09I said nothing.
25:10That evening,
25:11Tessa arrived
25:11carrying a file.
25:13I found it.
25:13She placed it on my lap.
25:15Your husband didn't
25:15just refuse to believe you.
25:17I lowered my eyes
25:18and opened it.
25:19The first page
25:20contained recovered
25:20screenshots from the
25:21department's internal
25:22dispatch group chat.
25:248.05pm.
25:25Darian sent a message.
25:26My wife might cause
25:27trouble tonight.
25:28Hold all her emergency
25:29calls and do not
25:30dispatch immediately.
25:318.06pm.
25:32If she reports a house fire
25:34or personal injury,
25:35verify first.
25:36Don't let her manipulate you.
25:388.07pm.
25:39She's a great actress.
25:40Don't fall for it.
25:41I kept turning the pages.
25:43The second document
25:44contained the back-end notes
25:46from the computer-aided
25:47dispatch system.
25:48Source.
25:49Haven Ridge Fire
25:49and Rescue Department
25:50Duty Terminal.
25:52Internal note.
25:52Family member
25:53emotionally unstable.
25:54Possible false
25:55domestic dispute report
25:56or nuisance emergency call.
25:58Verification required
25:59before dispatch.
26:00Mara, he didn't
26:01misunderstand you.
26:02He personally sealed off
26:03every path that could
26:04have saved your life.
26:05Keep digging.
26:07Are you sure?
26:08If this goes all the way
26:09up the chain,
26:10it won't end with a divorce.
26:12Isn't that uniform
26:12the thing he cares about most?
26:15Then let's make sure
26:15he loses it.