Elina (2)

Rain falls softly.

Not heavily. Not dramatically.

Just enough to blur the city lights across the wet asphalt.

Droplets settle on the windshield, reflecting the neon glow of the city in tiny, distorted fragments.

Inside a parked car, a MAN, 35, glances toward the passenger seat.

ELINA, 18, sits beside him.

She looks young.

Almost impossibly young.

The man studies her for a moment, still seemingly unable to believe her age.

Um... you said you're eighteen and you studied acting, right?

He suddenly bursts into laughter.

Elina looks at him, confused.

I mean, with that accent, I don't think they'd accept you. No matter how pretty or talented you are.

He pauses.

I'm thirty-five. You don't have a problem with my age?

Elina No. I want to choose another major for university.

A beat.

I don't have a problem with your age.

Elina looks at him for several seconds.

Elina You really don't?

He shrugs.

Of course, compared to your generation, I have way less experience. I've only had two exes. And I didn't do anything with either of them.

Elina gives him a small, amused smile.

ELINA Interesting.

He becomes slightly more confident.

Yeah. I've spent my whole life studying medicine. I just took my specialty exam. Don't even know if I'll get accepted.

Elina's expression changes. She studies him more carefully.

ELINA That's cool. Medicine is a good field.

A beat.

ELINA But what was the reason for the gap in your education?

He shrugs. He doesn't seem eager to answer.

Honestly... I studied for a while. Then I needed money. So I worked until now. This year I took the specialty exam.

Elina smiles.

ELINA Interesting. Good for you.

A beat.

ELINA I'm proud of you.

The man's expression freezes for the briefest moment.

He looks at her.

The words stay with him.

I'M PROUD OF YOU.

He looks away.

(V.O.) "I'm proud of you." For some reason, those two words stayed in my mind longer than they should have.

He clears his throat.

You should figure something out for yourself too.

He glances at her.

Theater as a major? Is that really a thing?

A small smile.

Although... I think you liked theater.

He turns toward her.

By the way, do you know where we're going?

Elina looks out the window.

ELINA Where?

He smiles, already knowing she'll like the answer.

We're going to the cinema.

Elina turns toward him.

For a moment, she simply stares.

Then her face lights up.

ELINA Really?

She smiles brightly.

ELINA We're really going to the cinema?

She laughs.

ELINA How did you know I'm obsessed with movies?

He laughs.

I guessed,babe.

He gestures toward himself proudly.

I'm a doctor. I'm smart.

They both laugh.

For a few seconds, everything seems light.

Then Elina looks toward the window again.

Her smile fades.

The man notices.

You looked really disappointed just now.

No response.

You've been staring at the window for a while.

A beat.

Is something wrong,babe?

He watches her.

You don't want to go to the cinema?

ELINA

She keeps looking outside.

ELINA It's just... the rain reminded me of something.

He smiles, trying to lighten the mood.

Hmm... probably some memory from when you chose your major.

He laughs.

When you decided to study theater.

Elina doesn't laugh.

Silence.

She keeps looking through the window.

Finally—

ELINA I don't know.

A beat.

She turns toward him.

ELINA Maybe that's not the worst thing I've experienced.

The man stops smiling.

Elina says it almost casually.

ELINA I've attempted suicide three times.

Silence.

The rain grows louder for a few seconds. No one speaks. The man stares at his hands.

The man's smile disappears completely.

His jaw tightens.

His fingers tighten on the steering wheel for a second, then release.

(V.O.) Three times?

He looks at her.

(V.O.) Why would she tell me that?

His expression hardens.

(V.O.) First date.

A beat.

(V.O.) Three suicide attempts?

He watches her carefully.

(V.O.) She's looking for attention.

The thought comes quickly.

Then another thought follows.

(V.O.) Who talks about failed suicide attempts on a first date?

He looks away.

(V.O.) But...

A beat.

(V.O.) This girl needs help.

He turns toward her.

Elina.

She doesn't respond.

Elina... I'm talking to you.

She slowly turns.

I think you’re just looking for attention.

A beat.

Her voice is calm.

ELINA For what?

She looks directly at him.

ELINA For whom?

The man hesitates.

His expression softens.

He looks as if he wants to reach out and hug her.

But he stops himself.

(V.O.) I wanted to hug her.

He looks at her.

(V.O.) Maybe she'd calm down.

A beat.

(V.O.) But she barely knew me.

He shifts in his seat.

Well... look.

He chooses his words.

It's pretty obvious you were looking for attention, because—

Suddenly, he sees something through the windshield.

The CINEMA.

His expression changes instantly.

Look!

Elina turns.

Look! We're here!

He speaks quickly, almost relieved.

Forget this stuff.

He turns off the engine.

You said you wanted to come, right?

He looks at her.

Andyoutoldmeyou wereproud ofme.

A reassuring smile.

I'm a doctor. I know what I'm doing.

He opens his door.

Don't worry about anything.

He looks toward the cinema entrance.

Come on. Let's see what movie is waiting for us.

A beat.

Deal?

Elina looks away.

She opens the car door.

Elina steps out.

She turns toward him.

A bright smile appears on her face.

ELINA Okay.

A beat.

ELINA Let's go.

The man remains beside the car for a moment.

He watches her.

Then he takes a few steps.

Stops.

Looks back at her.

(V.O.) She was only eighteen.

He watches her walk toward the entrance.

(V.O.) Or at least, that's what she seemed to be.

He follows.

(V.O.) An eighteen-year-old girl who had chosen to go out with me...

He looks at her.

(V.O.) ...and on our first date, told me she'd attempted suicide three times.

He keeps walking.

(V.O.) But why?

His expression becomes thoughtful.

(V.O.) Maybe I shouldn't have told her I was a doctor.

He watches her carefully.

(V.O.) Maybe I should have been more careful with her.

A beat.

(V.O.) I had to make her feel better.

He walks faster, catching up to her.

(V.O.) I had to stand behind her.

(V.O.) I had to become someone she could lean on.

They approach the entrance.

Elina suddenly turns toward him.

ELINA So, are we going in?

She smiles.

ELINA What genre should we watch?

A beat.

ELINA I like horror.

He immediately shakes his head.

No horror.

She looks at him.

Then you won't be able to sleep tonight.

A small smile.

We'll watch a comedy. Okay?

Elina smiles and nods.

The man notices.

A subtle look of satisfaction crosses his face.

(V.O.) She listened to me so quickly.

He looks at her.

(V.O.) Maybe I really can help her.

They continue toward the entrance.

The doors open.

Several people glance at them.

The man notices.

Maybe because of the age difference.

Maybe they think he's her father.

Maybe they think something else.

He reaches for Elina's hand.

They walk together for several steps.

Then he lets go.

Go sit on that couch.

He points toward a couch near the wall.

I'll get the tickets and some snacks.

A beat.

Go. Okay?

ELINA Okay.

Then—

ELINA But get me popcorn too.

She smiles.

ELINA I want popcorn and an energy drink.

The man's expression changes.

Elina tilts her head.

Absolutely not.

He looks serious.

ELINA Energy drinks are bad for you.

Elina gives him a mischievous smile.

ELINA Why did I come on a date with a doctor?

He can't help it.

He laughs.

She laughs too.

For a moment, everything feels normal again.

The man enters carrying the tickets, popcorn and drinks.

Elina is already seated.

ROW FOUR.

He sits beside her.

He looks toward the screen.

Good seat.

He gestures toward the screen.

Right in front of it. Great view.

The lights dim.

The movie begins.

Elina immediately focuses on the screen.

She watches intently.

The man doesn't.

His eyes move toward her.

He watches her.

Her face.

Her eyes.

Her seemingly innocent expression.

The way she smiles when she laughs.

Even the way she eats popcorn.

The movie continues.

But he barely notices it.

(V.O.) I didn't know why I kept looking at her.

His eyes remain on her.

Then—

The memory returns.

ELINA(V.O.) I've attempted suicide three times.

His expression darkens.

He becomes lost in thought.

His hand slowly tightens.

He doesn't notice Elina looking at him.

She watches him for several seconds.

Finally—

ELINA Whenever you think this deeply, do you always hold your hand like that?

He looks at her.

He realizes his hand is clenched.

He slowly relaxes it.

Like what?

Elina imitates his hand.

ELINA Like this.

She smiles.

ELINA

Like you're fighting with someone.

He laughs quietly.

I was thinking.

ELINA About what?

A beat.

He looks toward the screen.

The movie.

Elina raises an eyebrow.

She glances at the screen.

ELINA The movie hasn't even reached its main crisis yet.

She turns back toward him.

Their eyes meet.

He smiles.

Then looks back at the screen.

Then let's see what happens.

A few seconds pass.

Elina turns back to the movie.

She eats another piece of popcorn.

The man stares at the screen.

But his attention is gone.

CLOSE ON—THE MAN'S EYES

The movie plays in front of him.

But he isn't watching.

(V.O.)

Who made an eighteen-year-old girl want to die?

END OF THE CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

THE SECOND BOY

Fade in:

A small café sits in the middle of nature, far from the noise of the city.

Tall trees surround it.

Their leaves have just begun to turn.

One leaf detaches from a branch and slowly falls to the ground.

In the distance, the sound of a WATERFALL.

Wind moves softly through the trees.

Birds can be heard between the conversations and occasional laughter coming from the café.

ELINA sits across from a YOUNG MAN.

She is beautiful.

Her makeup is distinctly pink—soft, almost excessive.

The contrast is striking.

The young man studies her.

While speaking, she sometimes traces the rim of her glass with her fingertips, as if building her words simultaneously with the movement of her hands.

(V.O.) If I'd seen her makeup before hearing her talk about the brain and psychology, I probably never would've guessed how crowded her mind was.

He smiles.

You said your name was Elina, right?

She nods.

Okay, Elina…

He leans back slightly.

Why did you suddenly switch from acting to psychology?

A playful smile.

That must've been difficult.

He starts counting on his fingers.

Inferential statistics. Philosophy. Complicated behaviorist theories…

He laughs.

Oh, I forgot Freud.

Elina's smile grows slightly.

ELINA You could say I went from studying Stanislavski to studying Freud.

The man looks at her.

I actually want to know something.

A beat.

What's your favorite part of psychology?

Elina shrugs.

Elina I don't know if I'd call it a "favorite part."

She looks toward the waterfall.

ELINA It's more the questions that don't have definite answers yet.

His eyebrows rise.

Like what?

Her eyes remain fixed on the waterfall.

ELINA Like where exactly the thing we call the "self" fits into all of this.

What do you mean?

Elina thinks for a moment.

ELINA We behave. We make decisions. We have memories. We feel things.

She looks back at him.

ELINA And then we attribute all of it to one "self."

A beat.

ELINA But we still don't know whether that "self" is actually one unified thing…

She gestures lightly toward her head.

ELINA …or the result of several different systems working together.

The man watches her.

Elina gives him a small smile.

ELINA That's also why I liked theater.

What does theater have to do with that?

ELINA More than you think.

She moves her glass slightly across the table.

ELINA An actor has to build a character.

A beat.

ELINA But what's interesting is that to build an imaginary person, you have to think about a real person.

She begins counting the questions.

ELINA Why is this person afraid?

ELINA Why do they lie?

ELINA Why do they fall in love?

ELINA Why do they want something and, at the same time, run away from it?

She smiles.

ELINA Acting was a kind of laboratory for human behavior for me.

The man is genuinely surprised.

A beat.

So psychology…

ELINA Is the continuation of the same curiosity.

She pauses.

ELINA Just with different tools.

He nods slowly.

The man stands abruptly.

Come on.

Elina looks up, confused.

Let's walk. I can't sit still when someone talks about things that actually matter.

Elina studies him for a moment.

Then she stands.

They begin walking along the path beside the waterfall.

The sound of water grows louder.

Leaves drift around them.

while walking I played guitar for a year.

Elina looks at him.

Then I quit.

ELINA Why?

Because I realized I'd never be as good as I wanted to be.

He smiles.

ELINA She stops walking.

That's not why you quit.

The man stops too.

Turns toward her.

What do you mean?

ELINA You quit because you were trying to be perfect. Not because you weren't good enough.

The man says nothing.

ELINA She continues walking. When you try to be perfect, you're never enough. When you try to be yourself...

She stops and turns back to him.

ELINA ...you were enough from the beginning.

The man stares at her.

The waterfall roars behind them.

That's the first time anyone's said that to me.

ELINA Then maybe you've been around the wrong people.

They continue walking.

They return to their table.

The man's expression is different now.

More open.

Less guarded.

You know... I actually wanted to be a musician.

He laughs at himself.

But my father said music was for people who couldn't do math.

ELINA And what did you do?

I studied economics.

A beat.

I hate economics.

Elina laughs.

ELINA Then why did you do it?

He shrugs. Because I thought being safe was more important than being happy.

He looks at her.

You?

ELINA I think safety is a trap.

How?

ELINA Because when you feel safe, you stop growing.

She looks toward the waterfall.

ELINA And when you stop growing... you start dying.

The man watches her carefully.

Something in her voice has changed.

Let me get you another coffee.

He stands.

Same thing?

Elina nods.

The man walks toward the counter.

CLOSE ON — ELINA

For the first time, alone.

Her face drops.

Not crying.

But something deeper.

Exhaustion.

She takes a deep breath.

Forces a smile back onto her face.

The man returns.

He places the coffee in front of her.

You okay?

ELINA She smiles.

Why?

I don't know.

He sits.

You just looked... not here for a second.

ELINA She freezes slightly — then laughs Maybe I was somewhere else.

Where?

ELINA She holds his gaze. Doesn't matter.

A beat.

ELINA Let's talk about something else.

Okay.

He leans forward.

So psychology... what's your favorite part?

Elina thinks.

ELINA If I have to choose...

She looks down at her coffee.

ELINA Psychodynamic psychology.

ELINA Freud?

She shakes her head.

ELINA Not just Freud.

A small smile.

ELINA What's interesting to me about psychodynamic psychology is that people don't always know the real reason behind their own behavior.

For example?

She considers the question.

ELINA You might think you hate someone because they're a bad person.

A beat.

ELINA But the deeper reason might be that their presence reminds you of something about yourself that you don't want to see.

She looks directly at him.

ELINA Of course, that doesn't mean we should attribute every human behavior to the unconscious.

A pause.

ELINA

That's exactly where we have to be careful not to turn a theory into a story.

The man's expression changes.

That sentence catches his attention.

(V.O.) She didn't just know the theories.

(V.O.) She knew where not to trust them.

He studies her.

And DSM-5?

Elina smiles.

ELINA DSM is interesting to me.

You like it?

She shakes her head.

ELINA Not because I love it.

Then why?

She thinks.

ELINA Because it shows you how difficult it is to reduce human behavior to a few criteria and a few words.

The man raises his eyebrows.

So you don't believe in the DSM?

ELINA I do.

A beat.

ELINA For what it was designed for, it's very important.

She looks directly at him.

ELINA But a diagnosis isn't the person.

Silence.

ELINA When you say someone has depression, you're describing part of a pattern of experiences and behaviors.

A beat.

ELINA That word isn't supposed to replace the person.

The man watches her.

(V.O.) For the first time, I felt like I wasn't talking to someone who simply studied.

(V.O.) She had opinions about the things she studied.

A beat.

Elina…

She looks at him.

How old are you?

She smiles.

ELINA Nineteen.

He laughs in disbelief.

Nineteen?

ELINA Yeah.

He shakes his head.

I don't know why, but I feel like you should be older.

ELINA A lot of people say that.

Probably because you think too much.

She smiles.

ELINA Maybe.

A beat.

She takes a sip of her drink.

ELINA When my brain gets stuck on a question, I can't let it go.

What does that mean?

ELINA I might have a question about something small.

She smiles.

ELINA Then I'll read ten papers just to find out what paper the first one cited.

She continues, increasingly amused by herself.

ELINA Then I'll look at where that paper came from.

ELINA What the methodology was.

ELINA Whether the research was reliable.

She laughs.

ELINA Sometimes I get tired of myself.

He laughs.

That's not interest anymore. That's an obsession.

ELINA Maybe.

Her eyes brighten.

ELINA But the best part is that sometimes, by the end, you reach a question that didn't even exist at the beginning.

He looks at her.

And then?

ELINA Then you realize the new question is much more interesting than the original one.

Silence.

The man doesn't know what to say.

A moment passes.

So… do you want to do a Master's in Clinical Psychology?

Elina tilts her head.

ELINA Maybe.

Maybe?

ELINA I don't know why I should force myself to have only one answer this early.

Then what do you want?

Without hesitation—

ELINA Neuroscience.

She smiles.

ELINA Especially computational neuroscience.

He looks intrigued.

Computational?

ELINA I want to understand how we can go from brain data to testable models.

A beat.

ELINA

For example, if we have a pattern of brain activity, how much can we actually learn from it about a cognitive process?

She counts them off.

ELINA Attention.

ELINA Memory.

ELINA Decision-making.

Then, more quietly—

ELINA And if we can model it…

A beat.

ELINA Maybe we can simulate it too.

The man stares at her.

You want to simulate the brain?

Elina smiles.

ELINA Not the brain.

A beat.

ELINA A part of what the brain does.

She suddenly remembers something.

ELINA HCI is interesting too.

What's that?

She laughs.

ELINA Human-Computer Interaction.

He smiles.

Are you interested in everything?

ELINA

A pause.

ELINA I'm interested in questions whose answers are spread across several fields.

The man studies her.

(V.O.) That sentence was stranger to me than everything she'd said before.

A beat.

Do you know Python too?

ELINA I just started.

Why?

ELINA Because I don't want to just talk about data.

She smiles.

ELINA I want to be able to work with it.

A beat.

ELINA If I really like something, I prefer to learn the tools too.

The man nods.

You're obviously very hungry to learn.

ELINA Yeah.

She looks away for a moment.

ELINA Maybe that's why I'm happier when I don't understand something than when I do.

Why?

She looks at him.

ELINA Because when you don't understand something, there's still something left to discover.

He says nothing.

Then, suddenly, she laughs.

ELINA Of course, after everything I just said, I still don't know what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow.

He laughs.

Finally. I found a weakness.

ELINA I'm glad I'm still human.

They both laugh.

The laughter fades.

Silence returns.

The man looks toward the waterfall.

Leaves drift down around it.

You said when your brain fills up with information, you study.

Elina nods.

ELINA Yeah.

Why?

She thinks.

ELINA Because I think the mind is always looking for a way to release tension.

A faint smile.

ELINA Some people talk.

ELINA Some people run.

ELINA Some people fight.

ELINA Some people build things.

A beat.

ELINA Some people learn.

The man watches her.

ELINA Freud had an interesting name for it.

Sublimation?

She smiles.

ELINA Exactly.

So you're sublimating through studying?

ELINA Maybe.

Her eyes lose their playful expression.

ELINA But sublimation isn't just using a psychodynamic term to explain every strange behavior.

She leans forward slightly.

ELINA The basic idea is that a drive or impulse can be directed toward something more constructive for the person and society.

A beat.

ELINA For example, aggression can show itself through sports, competition, or certain professions.

She smiles.

ELINA Although that doesn't mean every surgeon is secretly an aggressive person.

He laughs.

That was exactly what I was thinking.

She looks at his eyebrows.

ELINA I know.

How?

ELINA Because your eyebrow went up when I said it.

He laughs.

You even pay attention to my eyebrows?

She smiles.

ELINA I studied acting.

They both laugh.

But her eyes remain on him.

The laughter fades.

Something about her is difficult to explain.

A beat.

Elina…

She looks at him.

Let's talk about us for a little while.

A pause.

What's your plan for the future?

Elina thinks.

ELINA I want to go to another country to study.

Why?

She looks toward the trees.

ELINA I want to see how much I change if my environment changes.

A small smile.

ELINA People usually think migration means going somewhere better.

She looks back at him.

ELINA For me, it's more like an experiment.

An experiment?

ELINA Yeah.

On yourself?

She nods.

ELINA On a version of myself that I haven't met yet.

He remains silent.

And if you don't like it?

She shrugs.

ELINA I'll come back.

A beat.

ELINA Or start again.

She takes another sip.

ELINA I want to write papers.

ELINA

Do research.

ELINA Collect data.

ELINA Learn programming.

A faint smile.

ELINA Maybe one day I'll be able to create a real project somewhere between psychology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence.

What kind of project?

She shakes her head.

ELINA I don't know yet.

A beat.

ELINA But I know there are a lot of questions worth following.

The man looks at her.

(V.O.) That's when I finally realized it.

A beat.

(V.O.) She wasn't looking for a job.

(V.O.) She was looking for a question.

He lowers his eyes.

A long pause.

He hesitates.

Then—

So why did you come to see me?

Elina looks at him.

ELINA I'm still here for another two years.

His jaw tightens almost imperceptibly.

But… what happens after two years?

Elina says nothing.

She picks up her iced Americano.

Takes a slow sip.

Then—

ELINA Don't act like some emotional teenage boy.

A small smile.

ELINA Two years is a very long time.

She sets the glass down.

ELINA Maybe even longer than we think.

The man exhales slowly.

But the question is still bothering him.

Did you have an ex?

ELINA Yeah.

How long were you together?

ELINA A month.

He looks surprised.

Only a month?

She shrugs.

ELINA It was enough for me.

Why?

A beat.

ELINA Because I realized what I wanted wasn't something he could give me.

That's it?

ELINA

That's it.

A faint smile.

ELINA Sometimes people think something big has to happen to end a relationship.

She looks at him.

ELINA

Sometimes you just realize you don't want to continue.

The man studies her.

There is no arrogance in her face.

Only certainty.

What happened to him?

ELINA He got accepted into a cardiology specialty program.

A pause.

ELINA Toward the end of the relationship, he kept begging me to go see him.

She looks down.

ELINA But I didn't want to anymore.

You didn't even miss him?

She thinks.

ELINA Missing someone doesn't always mean going back.

She raises her eyes.

ELINA You can miss someone and still know they don't belong in your future.

The man's expression changes.

He looks down.

Something inside him seems to collapse.

Elina notices.

ELINA If you're going to become boring too…

He interrupts her.

We've only been talking for a week.

He smiles, trying to change the mood.

Instead of threatening me with the possibility that you'll get bored, why don't you just look at the waterfall and enjoy this place?

A beat.

Elina studies him.

Then gives him a very faint smile.

ELINA Why not?

She turns toward the waterfall.

ELINA It's peaceful.

A pause.

Her voice becomes quieter.

ELINA Especially when something has satisfied you enough that afterward you want to enjoy more of it.

The smile on the man's face disappears.

He looks at her.

Silence.

(V.O.) What did she mean?

He studies her expression.

(V.O.) The waterfall…

A beat.

(V.O.) Or something else?

Elina…

His voice is lower now.

Please, don’t leave me.

Elina turns toward him.

For the first time, something changes in her eyes.

Very slightly.

But he sees it.

She looks down at her coffee.

A long beat.

ELINA I had just finished a course.

What course?

She looks up.

ELINA Hypnosis.

A faint smile.

ELINA It was interesting.

The man smiles.

Can hypnosis actually hypnotize someone?

She laughs.

ELINA Not the way they show it in movies.

She explains calmly.

ELINA It's more about attention, suggestion, and subjective experience.

A beat.

ELINA My instructor said to close my eyes and imagine a place where I felt safe.

The man watches her.

What did you see?

Elina takes a moment before answering.

ELINA A house.

Your house?

She slowly shakes her head.

ELINA

Her smile disappears.

ELINA Somewhere I didn't recognize.

Silence.

And your instructor said…

He waits.

ELINA "This is your safe place."

The man says nothing.

Elina looks directly into his eyes.

ELINA You know…

Her voice is very quiet.

ELINA My safe place isn't here.

Silence.

The man can't respond.

ELINA I'm sure it isn't here.

He keeps looking at her.

(V.O.) She was right.

A beat.

(V.O.)

It was selfish to want to keep her just because I loved her.

His eyes begin to fill with tears.

He breathes heavily.

It feels as though something is tightening around his throat.

He looks at her.

He wants to speak.

(V.O.) I wanted to tell her not to go.

His eyes remain fixed on her.

(V.O.) I wanted to tell her I could change everything.

A beat.

(V.O.) I could change my university.

(V.O.) My city.

(V.O.) Even my life.

But he says none of it.

Elina…

She looks at him.

Do you know why I quit guitar?

She shakes her head.

He smiles painfully. Because I played for a girl once. She didn't even notice.

A beat.

I thought if I got good enough… she'd see me.

He looks at Elina.

But she never did.

Elina studies him.

ELINA And now?

Now I realize… I was playing for the wrong audience.

Elina's expression changes.

Something flickers in her eyes.

For just a moment — she looks almost moved.

Then it disappears.

ELINA Maybe we both were.

No matter how much I love you…

His voice breaks slightly.

He takes a breath.

You're a spark.

Elina looks at him.

I can't limit you by loving you.

A long silence.

Elina studies him.

Then slowly nods.

A faint smile appears.

But it looks more like goodbye than happiness.

ELINA Yeah…

She lowers her eyes.

ELINA

I think so too.

The man holds his breath.

ELINA We can't keep going.

The sentence is simple.

Too simple.

As if she's talking about finishing a cup of coffee.

Not ending something he had spent the entire week building in his mind.

A beat.

ELINA Thank you for this week.

She stands.

The man instinctively rises halfway from his chair.

He reaches toward her.

Stops.

His hand remains suspended in the air.

He wants to grab her hand.

Beg her to stay.

But he can't.

Elina turns and walks away.

ONE STEP.

TWO.

THREE.

The distance between them grows.

The sound of her footsteps becomes quieter.

The waterfall grows louder.

She continues walking.

The man remains beside the table.

Watching.

Watching her disappear farther into the café.

Farther.

Farther.

Until the sound of her footsteps is swallowed completely by the waterfall.

CLOSE ON — THE MAN

His eyes remain fixed on the place where she disappeared.

(V.O.) For the first time, I understood that some people can't be held.

A beat.

(V.O.) Not with love.

(V.O.) Not with logic.

(V.O.)

Not with begging.

Silence.

He looks down at the empty chair across from him.

CLOSE ON — WATERFALL

Water continues flowing.

Leaves float on the surface.

They drift away.

MAN (V.O.) And maybe the worst part was…

A long pause.

(V.O.) I didn't even know how much of Elina she'd actually shown me.

(V.O.) And how much of it…

He watches the leaves disappear.

(V.O.) …she had shown me on purpose.

END OF THE CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE THE THIRED BOY

FADE IN:

A quiet, luxurious restaurant.

Soft music plays somewhere in the background.

Warm lights fall across polished tables, crystal glasses, and carefully arranged dishes.

ELINA sits across from a MAN.

He smiles at her.

What's your favorite food?

Without even thinking—

ELINA Cooked brain with spicy red sauce.

He stares at her.

A beat.

Then he realizes she's joking and laughs.

You're funny.

He glances at the menu.

Hmm...

A beat.

I think pasta would be good.

He looks toward her.

We'll have pasta.

He smiles.

I always get steak here, but that's fine.

A playful shrug.

I'll have pasta for you.

Elina doesn't respond.

He doesn't seem surprised.

(V.O.) She was never sentimental.

He studies her face.

Something feels wrong.

Sweetheart...

He leans forward.

Elina, aren't you going to say anything?

She looks away.

You seem upset.

A beat.

Tell me what's wrong.

Elina finally looks at him.

Her voice is flat.

ELINA You can't understand what I'm saying.

A beat.

ELINA

Even if I tell you, you're just going to say, "Oh, sweetheart. Yeah, I understand you. I know what you mean."

She shakes her head.

ELINA It's all ridiculous.

The man takes a slow breath.

He tries to change the subject.

Okay. I'm sorry if I've been like that.

He smiles.

How about we go to my penthouse tonight?

A beat.

Just you and me.

No one else.

Elina gives him a cold look.

ELINA That's ridiculous.

She holds his gaze.

ELINA Do you even understand what I'm saying?

He exhales.

Elina...

His tone becomes more serious.

You have to understand that I'm busy.

He gestures vaguely.

My company. Work. Everything.

A beat.

It took me a month just to finally get the chance to see you.

She says nothing.

The silence stretches.

He looks uncomfortable.

(V.O.) Sometimes her silence was unbearable.

He leans toward her.

Elina...

A beat.

If you want to always be with me, you should come live at my place.

She looks at him.

Then I can wake you up with a kiss every morning.

He smiles warmly.

I can hug you when I finish work.

And we can have dinner together every night.

A warm smile.

How does that sound?

Elina stares at him in disbelief.

ELINA You think because I'm not rich, I need to come live in your house?

His smile disappears.

What?

ELINA Is that what you think?

He shakes his head.

That's not what I meant at all.

He looks genuinely confused.

I don't even know where that came from.

Elina looks away.

The man watches her.

He reaches down beside his chair and pulls out a small, elegant BOX.

His expression brightens.

Sweetheart...

He places it on the table.

Surprise.

Elina looks at the box.

She stares at it for a moment. As if she knows that opening it will change something.

Then takes it.

ELINA What's this?

It's for you.

She opens it without much interest.

Then—

Her expression changes.

Her eyes widen.

ELINA Oh my God...

She carefully lifts out a necklace.

The pendant is deep red.

Its shape resembles a drop of blood.

ELINA It's beautiful.

She looks at him.

ELINA It's exactly my favorite color.

She studies the pendant.

ELINA Dark red...

A faint smile.

ELINA Like blood.

Her fingers move over the pendant.

ELINA And it's shaped like a drop of blood.

He smiles.

You like it?

She looks at the necklace.

ELINA It must've been expensive.

That doesn't matter.

He leans closer.

You deserve the best.

A proud smile.

I knew you'd like it.

He gestures toward the box.

I told Marcus to personally go to the designer and have something like this made.

A beat.

Just for you.

Elina looks at the necklace for another moment.

Then carefully places it back inside the box.

She closes it.

ELINA But this doesn't justify how you behaved.

His smile fades.

Sweetheart...

He tries to remain calm.

I don't want you to be upset with me.

A beat.

Whatever made you upset, tell me.

Before she can answer—

A WAITER approaches.

WAITER He carefully places two plates of pasta on the table.

Thank you.

The waiter leaves.

The man smiles at Elina.

The food's here.

He gestures toward the plate.

Enjoy.

Elina picks up her fork.

But before eating, she studies him.

She watches him carefully.

Almost clinically.

He notices.

What?

A smile.

Is something wrong?

Elina doesn't answer immediately.

She continues looking at him.

Then—

ELINA Are you really in love with me?

The man's smile grows.

Of course I am.

He laughs softly.

We've been together for a year.

A beat.

Tomorrow is your birthday.

He reaches for her hand.

You're going to spend it with me, right?

Elina responds immediately.

ELINA But you have a meeting tomorrow.

She studies him.

ELINA You can't come.

He gently squeezes her hand.

Everything else can wait.

He smiles.

My love's birthday is tomorrow.

A beat.

I have to be there.

Elina simply stares at him.

He lifts both hands and gently holds her face.

He smiles.

I'll make tomorrow the best day of your life.

A beat.

Okay?

Elina suddenly removes his hands from her face.

ELINA But you...

Me what?

She hesitates.

ELINA You don't even know me completely.

A beat.

ELINA How can you love me this unconditionally?

He smiles.

Because you're my love.

He pauses.

My life.

He takes a deep breath.

After all that pressure at work, all I want is to be with you.

He gestures toward her.

The best villa.

The best trips.

The best things I have.

His expression becomes softer.

None of them can make me as happy as having you in my life.

Elina gives him a mildly annoyed but almost playful look.

ELINA That's not love.

A beat.

ELINA It's an addiction.

He laughs.

Maybe.

She picks up her fork.

ELINA Now let's start.

At that exact moment—

His PHONE RINGS.

He looks down.

On the screen: MARCUS.

He answers immediately and switches the call to silent.

It's fine.

He puts the phone face down.

Tonight, all my time is yours.

He smiles at Elina.

I want to enjoy being with you.

A beat.

I don't care who it was or what they wanted.

Elina glances at the phone.

ELINA Hmm...

A beat.

ELINA Okay.

The man looks down.

A NEW MESSAGE appears.

"SIR, I FOUND SOMETHING IMPORTANT ABOUT ELINA. PLEASE ANSWER."

His expression changes.

He quickly locks the screen.

Elina begins eating her pasta.

The man looks at her.

He forces a smile.

Sweetheart...

She looks up.

I need to use the bathroom.

Elina looks at him.

Then at his phone.

She picks it up and holds it toward him.

ELINA Yeah.

A faint smile.

ELINA Definitely go.

The man understands immediately.

She noticed.

He smiles.

He takes the phone.

My clever girl.

A beat.

But yeah. It's really urgent.

He stands.

I'll be right back, okay?

Elina shrugs.

ELINA Doesn't matter.

A beat.

ELINA If you don't want to come back, don't.

He smiles.

(V.O.) After a year, I'd gotten used to the way she talked.

He looks at her.

(V.O.) I knew what she really meant.

He smiles.

Okay.

A beat.

I'll be right back.

He takes the phone and walks quickly toward the restroom.

The door shuts behind him.

His expression changes immediately.

His hands are shaking.

He looks down at his phone.

(V.O.) What could Marcus have found?

He taps Marcus's name.

The call connects.

One ring.

Two.

Three.

MARCUS Hello, sir.

Marcus...

His voice is tense.

What did you find?

Marcus hesitates.

Sir...

A beat.

MARCUS Apparently, Elina was previously sexually assaulted.

The man's face goes still.

MARCUS And as far as I could determine, she's also attempted suicide three times.

The man's breathing stops for a moment.

He stares at himself in the mirror.

Slowly, he reaches for his tie.

He loosens it.

His breathing becomes heavier.

But Marcus...

He struggles to speak.

How do you know?

MARCUS

Sir, I found the doctor who said he'd been in a relationship with her.

A beat.

MARCUS And I also found the other guy.

Man What other guy?

MARCUS The one who studied economics.

The man looks at himself in the mirror.

Marcus continues.

MARCUS Both of them told me different things about Elina.

What things?

MARCUS One said Elina was extremely sensitive and vulnerable.

A beat.

MARCUS He said she attempted suicide because of the assault.

Another pause.

MARCUS The other one said Elina was emotionless.

MARCUS That she had everything she needed and nothing was missing from her life.

The man's expression darkens.

What does that even mean, Marcus?

His voice rises.

You couldn't even find one piece of reliable information?

MARCUS Sir, I'm sorry—

The man hangs up.

Silence.

He stares at his reflection.

His breathing becomes heavier.

Suddenly—

He throws the phone toward the mirror.

CRASH!

The mirror SHATTERS.

Pieces fall across the floor.

The phone continues to ring somewhere among the broken glass.

Silence.

The man stares at the broken reflections.

His face appears in dozens of fragments.

One face. Broken into many.

He slowly crouches down.

Picks up one shard.

He studies his reflection.

I am the same...

A beat.

He looks at the fragmented reflection.

But I'm in different pieces.

He slowly turns the shard.

Maybe one trauma turned Elina into a thousand pieces that don't make sense.

He looks at himself.

Then quietly—

But in the end...

A beat.

They're all you, Elina.

His eyes harden.

And I love every one of your pieces.

Suddenly—

NOISE from behind him.

He turns.

Several people have gathered outside the restroom.

The broken mirror has caused panic.

A WAITER who clearly doesn't recognize him steps forward.

WAITER Sir, what are you doing?

He gestures toward the broken mirror.

WAITER Why did you break that?

His voice becomes sharper.

WAITER Have you got no manners?

Another waiter immediately grabs his arm, trying to pull him back.

The man doesn't even look at them.

He reaches into his pocket.

Pulls out several bills.

He holds them directly in front of the first waiter's face.

Take it.

A beat.

And shut up.

The waiter stares at the money.

Then at the man.

Recognition slowly appears on his face.

His expression changes.

WAITER I'm... I'm sorry, sir.

He starts backing away.

The man watches him.

Hey.

The waiter stops.

Waiter.

A beat.

Where do you think you're going?

The waiter turns around.

The man points toward the floor.

Sit down.

The waiter freezes.

He can't believe what he's hearing.

And beg me to forgive you.

Silence.

The waiter doesn't move.

The man's voice rises.

Didn't you hear me?

A beat.

Huh?

The other waiters exchange terrified looks.

They begin whispering to the first waiter.

WAITER #2 Just do it.

WAITER #3 Please.

The first waiter slowly lowers himself to the floor.

His eyes are filling with tears.

WAITER I'm sorry.

The man looks down at him with contempt.

(V.O.) For some reason...

He looks at the trembling waiter.

(V.O.) This felt like the strangest kind of peace.

He smiles coldly.

Good.

He crouches slightly.

Good.

A beat.

He points toward his shoe.

Maybe if you kiss my shoe...

The waiter's hands tremble.

Tears stream down his face.

...I'll let you go.

The waiter hesitates.

The man snaps impatiently—

Come on, idiot.

Louder—

I said kiss my shoe!

The waiter leans forward.

His hands are shaking.

His face is red with shame.

Slowly, he presses his lips to the man's shoe.

The man looks down with disgust.

Now get lost.

The waiter kneels and begins to sob.

The man looks around.

The other waiters stand frozen in terror.

No one dares to speak.

The man looks at them with a satisfied smile.

And then—

The man's expression changes.

He feels someone's presence.

He slowly looks up.

ELINA stands at the entrance to the restroom.

She has seen everything.

Her face is expressionless.

But something glimmers in her eyes.

Is it fear?

Disgust?

Or something else?

The man pulls his foot back.

Silence.

Elina says nothing.

She simply takes several steps backward.

The man stands immediately.

Elina...

She turns.

Elina!

He runs after her.

Elina, wait!

She keeps walking.

Elina, let me explain.

She finally stops.

Turns around.

The man slows.

Relief crosses his face.

He walks toward her.

Then embraces her.

Where are you going?

He holds her tightly.

You can't leave.

Elina's arms remain motionless at her sides.

The man pulls back slightly.

Look...

He speaks quickly.

That guy insulted me.

A beat.

He deserved it.

Elina remains silent.

Then, quietly—

ELINA I ate the pasta alone.

The man freezes.

He doesn't understand.

What?

She looks at him.

ELINA I ate the pasta alone.

Silence.

He looks completely lost.

A beat.

I thought you wanted to talk about the waiter...

She cuts him off.

ELINA

A pause.

ELINA

I don't want to know what happened.

The man immediately takes her hand.

Sweetheart, it's fine.

He smiles.

We'll go to a better restaurant.

A beat.

Or we can go to my penthouse.

He tries to brighten the mood.

We can eat something there.

She watches him.

He suddenly remembers something.

Elina...

He catches himself.

Then—

You can talk about brain simulation to me for as long as you want.

Elina raises an eyebrow.

ELINA Hmm?

How about it?

For a moment, something in her expression softens.

He steps closer.

Smiles.

Maybe you really managed to find an actual brain in my house.

She simply stares at him.

No response.

He laughs.

I'm kidding.

A beat.

His tone becomes more sincere.

But like I promised you...

He looks at her.

I talked to one of the researchers.

Elina watches him carefully.

You can take private classes with him.

A beat.

You can learn anatomy using an actual human brain specimen.

Elina's expression changes.

A deep, genuine smile appears.

ELINA That's great.

He smiles back.

He holds out his hand.

Shall we go?

Elina slowly nods.

They begin walking.

For the first time since entering the restaurant—

Elina smiles.

And this smile is different.

It looks real.

It looks like hers.

But a brief, ambiguous glance from Elina toward him—as if even this smile might be part of a larger game.

The man watches her.

CLOSE ON ELINA'S SMILE.

END OF THE CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

THE THIRED BOY

Fade in :

The bitter scent of cologne and whiskey hangs heavily in the room.

Through a large window beside the bed, the entire city stretches below.

Scattered lights.

Tall buildings.

A dark sky disappearing into the silence of the night.

There is no sound.

Only silence.

And within that silence—

The walls are covered with photographs of ELINA.

Some large.

Some small.

Her face appears in almost every corner of the room.

The MAN stands beside the bed.

He slowly takes his eyes away from the photographs.

Looks at her.

ELINA lies on the bed.

Drunk.

Her movements are slow and uncoordinated.

He reaches out.

Runs his fingers gently through her hair.

Elina...

A beat.

He smiles faintly.

I want to tell you something important.

He pauses.

But I don't think you're going to remember any of this tomorrow.

A small smile.

You've had way too much to drink.

Elina shifts aimlessly on the bed.

The man looks at her with concern.

Are you okay?

A beat.

Do you need anything?

She slowly opens her eyes.

ELINA

A pause.

ELINA

Say what you wanted to say.

He removes his hand from her hair and rests it gently on her shoulder.

I want you to know that I love you very much.

A beat.

His eyes drift toward one of the photographs on the wall.

But I want you to be honest with me.

Elina looks at him.

ELINA About what?

His smile fades slightly.

About yourself, Elina.

A long pause.

I want to know who you really are.

He looks directly into her eyes.

Not what other people have told me about you.

A beat.

Not what you had to show other people.

His voice becomes quieter.

Just... the real you.

Elina suddenly laughs.

The man watches her.

He waits.

Then—

I know you were sexually assaulted.

Elina's laughter stops immediately.

I know you've attempted suicide three times.

Silence.

Her eyes lock onto his.

Neither of them speaks.

Finally—

ELINA Do you think I'm vulnerable?

A beat.

ELINA Do you think I need you to save me?

The man slowly shakes his head.

A faint smile appears at the corner of her lips.

ELINA I like it when people think I'm weak.

He watches her carefully.

ELINA When they think I'm broken...

A beat.

ELINA Hurt...

Her expression remains strangely calm.

ELINA And that I need someone to save me.

She pauses.

ELINA I enjoy controlling their minds.

Her eyes narrow slightly.

ELINA

Before she can continue—

The man gently places his hand over her mouth.

Sweetheart...

He smiles.

It's okay if something like that happened to you.

A beat.

It doesn't take anything away from you.

His hand slowly moves away.

You're still precious to me.

He looks into her eyes.

You know that?

Elina stares at him.

Then, very quietly—

ELINA It was a lie.

His hand stops.

What?

Her smile disappears.

ELINA All of it.

A beat.

ELINA The assault.

She looks directly at him.

ELINA The suicide attempts.

A pause.

ELINA The stories you've heard about me.

She takes a breath.

ELINA They were all lies.

Silence fills the room again.

For the first time—

The man has no idea what to say.

He stares at her for a moment. Something flickers in his eyes. But then he smiles.

Then why?

A tiny smile appears.

ELINA

Because when people think you're broken...

A beat.

ELINA They stop being afraid of you.

Her eyes become colder.

ELINA And when they're not afraid of you...

A pause.

ELINA It's easier to get inside their minds.

The man says nothing.

He pulls her into his arms.

He holds her tightly.

(V.O.) Maybe she was just protecting her pride.

A beat.

(V.O.) Maybe she didn't want to admit that she was hurt.

His eyes move toward the photographs on the wall.

(V.O.) Maybe she was telling me something that wasn't true.

A pause.

(V.O.) Or maybe...

He looks down at her.

(V.O.) Maybe she was telling me the truth.

He gently holds her.

(V.O.) Either way, I suddenly felt like I shouldn't have asked her so directly.

A beat.

(V.O.)

Maybe I shouldn't have forced her to say something she didn't want to say.

ELINA Do you still think you can save me?

The man looks at her.

Something passes through his eyes.

Then he smiles.

Maybe not.

A beat.

But I can be here with you.

He pulls her closer.

His hand moves to the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair.

She doesn't resist.

She rests her head against his chest.

He can feel her breathing.

Slow.

Unsteady.

He presses his lips to her forehead.

Not a kiss of passion.

Something softer.

Almost like a promise.

I'm not going anywhere.

She doesn't respond.

But her fingers curl slightly into his shirt.

He holds her tighter.

His hand traces slow, gentle circles on her back.

She closes her eyes.

For a moment, she seems almost peaceful.

He looks down at her.

(V.O.) I wanted to remember this.

A beat.

(V.O.) The weight of her against me.

(V.O.) The way her breathing slowed.

(V.O.) The way she let me hold her.

He kisses the top of her head.

(V.O.) Even if she never told me the truth.

(V.O.) Even if this was all a game.

(V.O.)

I wanted to stay in this moment.

She stirs slightly.

Mumbles something.

He can't make out the words.

What did you say?

She doesn't answer.

She's already half-asleep.

He smiles faintly.

He brushes a strand of hair from her face.

His thumb traces her cheekbone.

Gently.

Slowly.

Sleep.

His voice is barely a whisper.

I'll be here.

He lies down beside her.

He pulls her closer.

Her head rests in the curve of his arm.

She turns toward him.

Her face is inches from his.

He can feel her breath.

He doesn't move.

He just watches her.

His hand rests on her waist.

She shifts slightly.

Her hand finds his chest.

She doesn't push him away.

She stays.

(V.O.) Maybe she needed this.

A beat.

(V.O.) Maybe she needed someone to hold her.

(V.O.) Even if she would never admit it.

He closes his eyes.

For a moment, he feels her fingers move against his chest.

Not intentionally.

Just a small, unconscious movement.

Like she's searching for something.

He holds her hand.

She doesn't pull away.

(V.O.) I don't know if she loves me.

A beat.

(V.O.) I don't know if she's capable of love.

(V.O.) But in this moment, she let me hold her.

He opens his eyes.

Looks at her.

(V.O.) And that was enough.

They lie in silence.

His arms around her.

Her body pressed against his.

The city lights flicker through the window.

The room is quiet.

(V.O.) Maybe tomorrow everything would change.

A pause.

(V.O.) But tonight, she was mine.

He holds her closer.

She doesn't resist.

The silence deepens.

They remain in each other's arms.

After a few moments, he slowly pulls away.

Looks at her.

Smiles.

Elina...

A beat.

Okay, sweetheart.

He gently adjusts the blanket over her.

Get some rest.

A faint smile.

Go to sleep.

He looks at her.

Tomorrow is your birthday.

His smile grows.

And I'll be right here with you.

Elina closes her eyes.

But just before they completely shut—

She looks at him.

For one brief moment.

A look he cannot understand.

Trust?

Or something else?

Her eyes close.

The man watches her.

Hours have passed.

The room remains silent.

The man lies beside Elina, holding her.

He listens to the sound of her breathing.

Sometimes he looks at her face.

Sometimes he closes his eyes and simply feels her presence.

(V.O.) I don't know why...

A beat.

(V.O.) But tonight, more than ever, I wanted time to stop.

He looks at her.

(V.O.) Maybe because, for the first time, I felt like she'd actually allowed me to get close to her.

A pause.

(V.O.) Even if it was only for a few hours.

His eyes begin to grow heavy.

He slowly closes them.

(V.O.) Tomorrow.

A faint smile.

(V.O.) Her birthday.

His hand rests near hers.

(V.O.) And the ring.

His eyes remain closed.

(V.O.) The ring I'd been hiding for months.

FLASHES OF MEMORY:

A small ring box.

His hand opening it.

Elina smiling.

His own reflection in a mirror as he practices what to say.

(V.O.) I'd gone over the words in my head so many times.

A beat.

(V.O.) I knew exactly when I was going to take it out of my pocket.

He smiles faintly.

(V.O.) When the candles were blown out.

A pause.

(V.O.) I was going to ask her to stay.

His expression softens.

(V.O.) Not for a month.

A beat.

(V.O.) Not for a year.

(V.O.) Forever.

He takes a slow breath.

(V.O.) I just had to make it until tomorrow.

His eyes close completely.

Darkness.

Silence.

The room is barely visible.

The man is somewhere between sleep and consciousness.

Everything feels blurred.

Time no longer seems to exist.

His breathing is slow.

Then—

BOOM!

A MASSIVE SOUND tears through the silence.

His eyes open.

Or perhaps—

He only thinks they do.

He tries to move.

Nothing.

He tries to speak.

Elina...

No sound comes out.

For a moment—

Only darkness.

Then an image appears in his mind.

Elina's face.

Her eyes.

That faint smile from earlier.

He reaches toward her.

Or perhaps he only imagines himself moving.

The image begins to fade.

(V.O.) Elina...

He tries to call her again.

Nothing.

The image disappears further.

Her face becomes indistinct.

Her smile is the last thing remaining.

Then—

BLACK.

Silence.

END OF CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

ETHAN AND WALTZ

Fade in :

The sound of a phone ringing cuts through the silence.

I slowly force my eyes open.

Everything is blurry.

For a few seconds, I have no idea where I am.

Then my eyes land on her red hair.

Elina is still asleep beside me.

Her bare shoulder catches the morning light.

I reach toward her.

ETHAN Elina…

I wake her with a gentle kiss.

Her eyes slowly open.

She glances at my phone.

ELINA You were screaming in your sleep last night.

She pauses.

ELINA Whoever's calling probably wants to tell you they heard you screaming.

I laugh.

I pick up the phone.

An unknown number.

I answer.

ETHAN Hello?

A calm male voice comes from the other end.

WALTZ Hello, Mr. Ethan Black.

I become more alert.

ETGAN

How can I help you?

WALTZ Actually… I know you've been with Elina for a year.

I glance at Elina.

WALTZ I thought it might be useful for you to know a little more about her.

A pause.

WALTZ A guy named Marcus contacted me. He wanted information about Elina.

My expression changes.

I immediately hang up.

I put the phone down.

Elina looks at me carefully.

ELINA Did something happen?

A beat.

ELINA Who was it? Why are you so pale?

ETHAN Nothing, sweetheart.

I get out of bed.

ETHAN I have to go to work.

I pick up my clothes.

ETHAN By the way, do you want me to take you to university?

Elina frowns slightly.

ELINA I'm twenty-one now.

I look at her.

ELINA I finished my bachelor's last month. I need to study for my master's.

A beat.

ELINA I want to get into a good university.

I smile.

ETHAN Oh, sweetheart…

I look at her.

ETHAN It's your birthday today.

I walk over to her.

ETHAN My beautiful girlfriend just turned twenty-two.

I kiss her cheek.

I quickly start getting dressed.

Elina keeps looking at me.

ELINA

But you didn't tell me who called.

A beat.

ETHAN Nobody.

She studies me for a moment.

ELINA Okay.

I sit beside her.

ETHAN Do you want to come to work with me today?

She raises an eyebrow.

ELINA Hmm?

ETHAN There'll be a lot of people bowing and scraping in front of you.

I smile.

ETHAN We've got a few places to visit.

A beat.

ETHAN Think you can handle it?

Elina gives me a faint smile.

ELINA I think I can.

ETHAN Then get up.

I look at her clothes.

ETHAN I think you should wear something black.

ELINA I always wear colourful clothes.

ETHAN I know.

I smile.

ETHAN But black looks good on you.

Elina pauses.

ELINA But black makes me look like a bad person.

I laugh.

ETHAN Sweetheart, then let it make you look bad.

I move closer.

ETHAN I love it when you look dangerous.

Elina looks at me.

ELINA What?

My smile softens.

ETHAN I want you to always be able to protect yourself.

A beat.

ETHAN I like you more that way.

I look into her eyes.

ETHAN An independent woman.

She studies me quietly.

Her eyes seem softer now.

ELINA Even if I become scary?

I smile.

ETHAN What's wrong with that?

A beat.

ETHAN We can be a scary couple.

My smile grows.

ETHAN I'd rather you were a living monster than a dead princess.

Elina stares at me for a moment.

ELINA You really think that way?

ETHAN Yeah.

ELINA I thought men always wanted to protect women.

ETHAN I do want to protect you.

A beat.

ETHAN Just not when you pretend you're weak.

Elina falls silent.

She walks toward the closet.

ELINA Okay.

She looks through her clothes.

ELINA Then I'll wear these pants with your black shirt.

I look at her.

ETHAN My black shirt?

ELINA Yeah.

I smile.

ETHAN Okay, sweetheart.

I head toward the door.

ETHAN Get dressed. I'll wait for you in the car.

A black luxury car waits outside.

I stand beside it.

The door opens.

Elina steps outside.

She's wearing black.

The shirt is slightly too big for her.

She looks devastating.

I look at her for a few seconds.

ELINA Ethan… how do I look?

I walk toward her.

The DRIVER gets out.

gesture toward the car.

ETHAN Go sit inside.

The driver steps aside.

open the door for Elina.

ETHAN You look beautiful, Mrs. Black.

Elina looks at me for a moment.

Then she smiles.

ELINA Thank you.

smile back.

They get into the car.

The car moves through the city.

keep glancing at Elina.

ETHAN Black really suits you.

ELINA Yeah.

She looks down at her clothes.

ELINA Black suits people whose eyes are kind of… emotionless.

She looks at me.

ELINA And who have hazel eyes.

smile.

ETHAN And red hair.

Elina laughs.

ELINA Yeah, yeah.

phone starts ringing.

Her laughter almost completely drowns it out.

look at the screen.

MARCUS.

smile disappears.

answer.

ETHAN Yes?

MARCUS Sir, you're invited to a ceremony at ten this morning.

frown.

ETHAN A ceremony?

MARCUS Yes, sir.

A beat.

MARCUS All the major businessmen and politicians will be there for the presidential election.

look at Elina.

ETHAN Elina…

She turns toward me.

ETHAN Did you know today is your birthday…

smile.

ETHAN And they're electing a new president today?

Elina laughs.

ELINA How interesting.

ETHAN Yeah.

A beat.

ETHAN And we need to be there at ten.

look at her.

ETHAN You're coming with me.

Elina looks surprised.

ELINA Why me?

ETHAN Well, don't you want to be seen with your boyfriend after a year together?

Elina says nothing.

wait.

ETHAN

You don't want to?

ELINA I don't know.

A beat.

ELINA Okay. Let's go.

smile.

look toward the DRIVER.

ETHAN Just drive faster.

check my watch.

ETHAN We've got fifteen minutes.

The car stops at the entrance.

Marcus has already arrived.

Elina steps out.

She looks around.

The area is filled with politicians, businessmen, and powerful figures.

She stays close to me.

Whispers ripple through the crowd. All eyes are on me and the blonde man in the distance.

notice a BLOND MAN in the distance.

People around me treat me with unusual respect.

gesture toward Marcus.

ETHAN Hey, Marcus.

Marcus approaches.

ETHAN Keep an eye on her.

look at Elina.

ETHAN It's her first time coming with me to an environment like this.

A beat.

ETHAN It's a dirty place. Don't let it ruin her mood.

Marcus lowers his head.

MARCUS Yes, sir.

Elina smiles faintly.

ELINA Ethan, don't worry about me.

She looks at Marcus.

ELINA Didn't you say I'm a strong girl?

She smiles.

ELINA Well, I'm strong.

smile approvingly.

ETHAN I know you are.

walk toward the crowd.

People lower their heads respectfully as I pass.

move through the crowd.

The MAYOR approaches me.

MAYOR Hello, Mr. Black. It's a pleasure to have you here.

ETHAN Hello, Mr. Mayor. Thank you.

attention shifts to the blond man I noticed earlier.

ETHAN Who's that man?

The mayor looks confused.

MAYOR Which man, Mr. Black?

point.

ETHAN The blond one.

The mayor turns.

MAYOR Oh. Yes.

A beat.

MAYOR That's Edward Waltz.

keep my eyes on Waltz.

MAYOR One of the new businessmen.

The mayor gives a small laugh.

MAYOR Apparently he's made quite a lot of money recently.

A beat.

MAYOR Although, of course, he's nowhere near your level.

slowly turn toward him.

ETHAN So he's become important enough…

A beat.

ETHAN For you to compare him to me?

The mayor laughs nervously.

MAYOR Oh, Mr. Black…

say nothing.

eyes return to Waltz.

study him more carefully. There's something about the way Waltz carries himself. Not arrogance. Something colder. Controlled. Calculating.

Waltz notices Elina from across the room.

His eyes remain fixed on her.

Elina hasn't noticed him yet.

seeWaltz watching her.

A memory flashes through my mind.

WALTZ (V.O.) Hello, Mr. Ethan Black.

study him more carefully.

WALTZ (V.O.) I'm Waltz. Edward Waltz

eyes widen slightly.

ETHAN (V.O.) Elina's ex…

Waltz starts walking toward Elina.

immediately follow.

Waltz reaches Elina.

He smiles.

WALTZ

He looks around.

WALTZ I thought this beautiful lady was here alone.

His smile grows.

WALTZ

But apparently her partner has arrived.

Elina freezes.

But she shows no reaction.

She stares at Waltz for a moment. Something flickers in her eyes. Recognition. Surprise. Then she looks away.

step beside her.

ETHAN Ethan Black.

A beat.

ETHAN CEO and founder of the Black Empire.

Waltz smiles.

WALTZ I know who you are, Mr. Black.

He turns toward Elina.

His voice becomes softer.

WALTZ You must be Elina, right?

Elina finally looks directly at him.

WALTZ The brilliant student who wanted to leave the country.

Elina answers calmly.

ELINA And you're the one who studied music.

A beat.

ELINA That's strange. What are you doing here?

Waltz's smile doesn't falter.

WALTZ Elina…

A beat.

WALTZ

I never said I studied music.

Elina goes silent.

WALTZ I only brought my guitar with me because I wanted to play for you.

His expression softens for a moment.

WALTZ You never even let me introduce myself during that one week.

ELINA That week was enough.

Waltz's jaw tightens. Just slightly. But I see it.

WALTZ Was it?

A beat.

WALTZ Because I remember it differently.

Elina says nothing.

cut in.

ETHAN Let me introduce my fiancée.

Waltz looks at me.

ETHAN Elina Black.

A beat.

ETHAN My fiancée.

look at Elina.

ETHAN She's an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist at one of my companies.

Waltz gives a faint smile.

WALTZ I see.

He looks back at me.

WALTZ Your fiancée.

A beat.

WALTZ But I checked.

His smile fades slightly.

WALTZ Her name wasn't listed among your employees.

I don’t hesitate.

ETHAN Because she was just hired.

Waltz tilts his head.

WALTZ

His eyes return to Elina.

WALTZ Why doesn't your employee—or your fiancée—want to stay?

A beat.

WALTZ Just because she wants to leave the country?

take a step forward.

ETHAN You're making this much bigger than it is, Mr. Waltz.

voice remains calm.

But there's a threat underneath it.

ETHAN Elina might have talked to you once.

A beat.

ETHAN Before me.

His expression hardens.

ETHAN That doesn't give you the right to drag this out.

Waltz smiles. But it's not mocking. It's something else. Almost tired.

WALTZ Once?

A beat.

WALTZ

He looks at Elina.

WALTZ A week.

Then back to me.

WALTZ And I asked her why.

Waltz takes a small step toward Elina.

WALTZ What was I missing?

A beat.

WALTZ Huh?

Elina says nothing.

Her eyes drop toward the floor.

There's a tension in Waltz's jaw. A flicker of something beneath the surface. Something unresolved. Something that still hurts.

WALTZ You told me you were looking for a question.

A pause.

WALTZ I thought I could be that question for you.

Elina looks up.

For a moment — just a moment — something changes in her eyes.

Then it's gone.

ELINA She speaks flatly

You were never the question.

Waltz's smile fades completely.

notice.

His jaw tightens.

ETHAN Edward Waltz…

voice rises.

Several people turn toward us.

ETHAN Don't question my fiancée.

take another step forward.

ETHAN I can destroy you with a single signature.

A beat.

ETHAN Do you understand?

Waltz laughs. Quietly. Without humor.

WALTZ You really think so?

stare at him.

WALTZ Even if my father gets elected president today?

let out a short laugh.

ETHAN You're delusional.

A beat.

ETHAN I already know Mr. Smith is going to win.

look directly at Waltz.

ETHAN Not your father.

Waltz smiles.

WALTZ Exactly.

expression changes.

WALTZ And you know Mr. Smith doesn't have a family…

A beat.

WALTZ Except for one adopted son.

Waltz clears his throat.

WALTZ I'm Mr. Smith's adopted son.

freez. The confidence drains from my face for just a fraction of a second. I recover quickly. But Waltz saw it.

ETHAN (V.O.) Smith's adopted son…

study Waltz with new eyes. The calmness. The confidence. The way people treated him. It all made sense now.

Silence.

The sound of a television suddenly fills the room.

NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.) Mr. Smith has officially been elected as the new President of the country.

The crowd erupts into applause.

People cheer.

Hands clap.

Waltz simply smiles.

He slowly takes a few steps backward.

ETHAN (V.O.) He knew. All along, he knew. And he waited for this moment to tell me.

remain completely still

She looks at me.

Then at Waltz.

Waltz is still smiling.

His smile isn't triumphant. It's something else. Something quieter. Almost sad.

WALTZ You know, Ethan…

He pauses.

WALTZ When I met her, she told me she was looking for a question.

He looks at Elina.

WALTZ I thought I could be that question for her.

A beat.

WALTZ I was wrong.

He looks back at me.

WALTZ Maybe you'll have better luck.

There's something genuine in his voice. A wound that hasn't healed.I see it. For a moment, he almost feels something close to pity.

ETHAN She's not a question, Waltz.

Waltz raises an eyebrow.

ETHAN She's the answer.

Waltz stares at me.

A long silence.

Then Waltz laughs. But it's not mocking. It's something else. Recognition.

WALTZ You really love her.

ETHAN Yes.

WALTZ So did I.

Elina looks at both of us .

CLOSE ON — ELINA.

Her face is a mask.

But behind her eyes — something flickers.

Confusion?

Guilt?

Or something else entirely.

Waltz takes one last look at Elina.

WALTZ You know what the worst part is?

He pauses.

WALTZ She never even told me her real name.

Ethan's expression changes.

ETHAN What?

Waltz shakes his head.

WALTZ I spent a week with a woman who told me everything about herself except the one thing that mattered.

He looks directly at Elina.

WALTZ You never told me who you really were.

Elina's mask doesn't crack.

But her silence is louder than any confession.

WALTZ Maybe you'll get the truth. He looks at me.

A beat.

WALTZ If she lets you.

He turns.

Walks away.

The crowd parts for him.

watch him go.

Then I turn to Elina.

ETHAN What did he mean?

Elina looks at me.

ELINA He's bitter.

ETAHN That's not what I asked.

ELINA I know.

She touches my hand.

ELINA But you don't want to hear the rest right now.

stare at her

ETHAN Don't I?

ELINA smile faintly Not here. Not now.

She glances around the room.

LINA Too many ears.

study her.

Then I slowly nod.

ETHAN Later.

ELINA Later.

Elina looks back at me.

Neither of us says a word.

CLOSE ON — ELINA.

Her expression is calm.

Too calm.

END OF CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

ETHAN AND DANIEL

Fade in :

The city stretches endlessly beneath the glass walls.

Thousands of lights.

The world below looks small from this height.

ELINA sits silently near the window.

She stares outside.

Her expression is distant.

Sad.

I watch her for a moment before walking toward her.

I sit beside her and gently take her hand.

ETHAN Elina…

She looks at me.

ETHAN I know today’s your birthday, and I know you’re not exactly having the best day.

A small smile.

ETHAN But I have a little gift for you.

Maybe it’ll change the mood.

Elina gives a faint nod.

I stand.

Reach into my pocket.

Then slowly kneel in front of her.

Elina looks at me, confused.

I open the box.

Inside is a ring with a large diamond that catches the light.

ETHAN Will you marry me?

She stares at the ring.

Then at me.

For a moment, she says nothing.

ELINA Ethan…

A pause.

ELINA We were practically threatened this morning.

She looks at the ring.

ELINA And now you’re talking about marriage?

I smile.

She takes the ring.

Slides it onto her finger.

I take her hand and kiss it.

ETHAN I was expecting you to be a little happier.

A faint smile.

ETHAN But I guess saying yes means you’re my wife now.

She looks at me seriously.

ELINA Ethan, I don’t want to work at your company.

My smile fades slightly.

ELINA I want to work in a hospital.

ETHAN Why?

ELINA Because I want to study clinical psychology.

ETHAN Why a hospital?

You could be closer to me at the company.

I could give you your own office. Something nice.

She interrupts.

ELINA I prefer the hospital.

I study her face.

Then smile.

ETHAN Fine.

A beat.

ETHAN I’ll see what research programs they have at the hospital.

I’ll find something suitable for you.

ELINA Thank you.

I pull out my phone.

Dial.

ETHAN Marcus.

A beat.

ETHAN

Find me every psychology-related research project currently being conducted in collaboration with Black Hospital.

I hang up.

Almost immediately, my phone vibrates.

Emails.

One after another.

I sit beside Elina and turn the screen toward her.

ETHAN Well, well, well…

I scroll through the list.

ETHAN Let’s see which one you like.

Elina reads the first title.

Her expression changes.

NA This one.

I look at the screen.

ELINA “The Effects of Stress on Cardiovascular Disease.”

She smiles faintly.

ELINA This is it.

I smile.

ETHAN Then it’s yours.

I kiss her forehead.

ETHAN You can start tomorrow morning.

I’ll take care of everything.

She looks at me.

ETHAN And tonight, until ten, I’ll take a shower.

Then we’ll get a cake.

It’s your birthday.

We should celebrate.

ELINA Sounds good.

I take off my shirt and leave it on the bed.

Then head toward the bathroom.

Elina’s eyes briefly follow me.

I stop.

Look back.

ETHAN Something wrong?

She says nothing for a moment.

Then—

ELINA Maybe I need you.

I walk back to her.

Pull her gently into my arms.

She rests against me.

We disappear toward the bathroom.

The room is quiet.

The city lights flicker beyond the windows.

We lie beside each other, exhausted but calm.

I look at her.

She looks back.

For once, neither of us says anything.

I pull her closer.

ETHAN I’m here. Whenever you need me.

She smiles faintly.

I kiss her forehead.

LATER THAT NIGHT

The cake arrives.

But Elina is already asleep.

I lie behind her, one arm around her.

My eyes slowly close.

HOURS LATER

I wake up.

The other side of the bed is empty.

I immediately reach for my phone.

I call Elina.

She answers.

But I hear crying.

My expression changes instantly.

ETHAN Elina?

No answer.

ETHAN Elina, what happened?

My heart begins pounding.

ETHAN Where are you?

The call ends.

I immediately get out of bed.

The car speeds through the city.

I keep calling.

No answer.

I send message after message.

ETHAN (TEXT) Where are you?

ETHAN (TEXT) Elina?

ETHAN (TEXT) Please answer me.

Nothing.

The car stops.

I get out before the driver can open the door.

I rush inside.

I see her.

Elina stands near the lower level, crying.

I immediately walk toward her.

ETHAN Elina—

I pull her into my arms.

A hospital employee approaches hurriedly.

The moment he recognizes me, he steps forward.

EMPLOYEE Sir, we didn’t know you were coming for an inspection—

I turn toward him.

Cold.

ETHAN Do I need permission to come to my own hospital?

The employee freezes.

EMPLOYEE No, sir. I’m sorry.

He lowers his head and quickly walks away.

I turn back to Elina.

I hold her face gently.

ETHAN Tell me who made you cry.

My voice becomes colder.

ETHAN Who was it?

Elina shakes her head.

ELINA

ETHAN I’ll deal with them.

She looks at me through her tears.

ELINA No, Ethan.

A pause.

ELINA I came here this morning with Marcus.

I look across the lobby.

Marcus is standing several meters away.

My eyes lock onto him.

ETHAN Marcus.

He immediately approaches.

ETHAN What happened?

Marcus hesitates.

MARCUS Sir…

He glances at Elina.

MARCUS The cardiologist told her she couldn’t participate in the research project.

My jaw tightens.

ETHAN Why?

MARCUS Because the project is primarily recruiting people from medical backgrounds.

Elina wipes her tears.

ELINA But the research is about the effects of stress on cardiovascular disease.

Her voice breaks.

ELINA Why can’t I participate?

She begins crying again.

I look at her.

Then at Marcus.

Something inside me changes.

ETHAN Take her to the car.

Marcus nods.

MARCUS Yes, sir.

Elina starts walking toward the exit.

Marcus stays behind for a moment.

Then steps closer.

His expression is different now.

Careful.

MARCUS Sir…

I turn.

MARCUS There’s something else.

Silence.

ETHAN What?

Marcus lowers his voice.

MARCUS The cardiologist who told Elina she couldn’t participate…

A beat.

MARCUS His name is Dr. Daniel Richard.

I FREEZE.

My body becomes completely still.

ETHAN What did you say?

MARCUS Sir…

He hesitates.

MARCUS He’s the doctor Elina was involved with.

Silence.

The hospital suddenly feels enormous.

The voices around me fade.

I look toward the exit.

Elina is standing there, wiping the tears from her face.

Then I look back at Marcus.

My expression becomes completely empty.

Cold.

ETHAN Get rid of him.

Marcus hesitates. For a brief moment, something flickers in his eyes. Discomfort. Perhaps even shock. But he knows better than to question the order.

MARCUS Sir… how?

Ethan’s eyes don’t leave Elina’s figure at the exit. His voice is flat. Emotionless. Terrifying.

ETHAN I don’t want it quick.

A beat.

ETHAN I want him to suffer.

Marcus swallows. Hard.

MARCUS Understood, sir.

ETHAN Make sure he feels it.

A beat.

ETHAN Every second.

ETHAN I want him begging before it’s over.

Marcus lowers his head.

MARCUS Yes, sir.

I turn away.

My eyes remain fixed on Elina.

She doesn’t know what just happened.

She simply stands there.

Alone.

The sterile smell of the hospital fills my lungs. The distant beeping of machines. The cold white light. Everything feels sharp. Too sharp.

And for the first time, a thought enters my mind.

Not love.

Not anger.

Something darker.

If I can’t go back…

If I can’t uncover every piece of her past…

Every missing fragment…

Every person who knew her before me…

Then maybe the only way to let her breathe…

Is to erase them.

END OF CHAPTER SIX.

CHAPTER SEVEN

ELINA.

Fade in :

The room is dark.

Rain taps softly against the enormous windows.

Each drop leaves a trail on the glass, distorting the city lights beyond into blurred smears of gold and white.

The only light comes from the screen of an open laptop, casting a pale glow across my face.

I sit motionless, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.

On the screen are dozens of classified files belonging to the BLACK EMPIRE.

Financial records. Secret contracts. Names. Dates. Everything Ethan Black had tried to hide.

select a folder.

SEND.

The files disappear from the screen.

A confirmation message appears.

lean back.

The chair creaks softly beneath me.

know these files aren't what BERNHARD SMITH actually wants.

He wants something deeper.

Something only I can get.

slowly turns.

ETHAN BLACK is asleep beside me.

His chest rises and falls in a slow, steady rhythm.

His face, usually hard and calculating, is soft in sleep.

For a moment, I watch him.

The rise of his chest.

The way his hand rests near mine.

Almost reaching for me.

Even in sleep.

Something flickers in my eyes.

Then it's gone.

quietly get up.

bare feet make no sound on the cold marble floor.

Heavy rain falls over the city.

The wind carries the scent of wet concrete and distant rain-soaked trees.

step outside.

The cold hits me immediately.

wrap my arms around myself.

spot MARCUS standing nearby.

He's leaning against the railing, a cigarette burning between his fingers.

The smoke curls upward, dissolving into the rain.

ELINA Marcus.

He turns.

ELINA Don't you have a life? You're always here.

MARCUS I'm always watching this place, ma'am. They pay me well for it.

Elina smiles.

ELINA So it's the money.

study him.

ELINA I thought you were loyal to him by now.

Marcus looks away.

He takes a long drag from his cigarette.

MARCUS No, ma'am. Everyone works for money.

A beat.

MARCUS Even me.

He looks back at me.

MARCUS And I have a feeling that money was your priority too.

smile fades slightly.

MARCUS That's why Daniel Richard died this morning.

aise an eyebrow.

ELINA Daniel?

A beat.

ELINA

The doctor?

Marcus nods.

MARCUS Yes.

look away.

stare out at the city.

The rain blurs everything into a watercolor of lights and shadows.

ELINA I'm sorry.

Then—

A faint smile.

ELINA But let's talk about money.

Marcus looks at me suspiciously.

ELINA I can pay you more this month.

step closer.

The rain falls between us.

ELINA In exchange for confidential information about the Black Empire.

Marcus freezes.

The cigarette stops halfway to his mouth.

MARCUS Ma'am...

His voice drops.

MARCUS You know those files are private.

A beat.

MARCUS If Mr. Black finds out—

He swallows.

MARCUS He'll kill me.

remain completely calm.

ELINA Then don't let him find out.

reach into my bag.

pull out an expensive bracelet Ethan gave me several days ago.

The diamonds catch the faint light from the penthouse.

holds it toward Marcus.

ELINA This is yours.

Marcus stares at it.

Rain drips from the edges of the bracelet.

ELINA Take the risk and you become rich.

A beat.

ELINA Or keep being Black's dog.

Marcus looks at me.

The rain runs down his face.

MARCUS Who are you?

smile.

ELINA I'll explain later.

ook toward the penthouse.

ELINA Right now, I need those documents before Ethan wakes up.

Marcus hesitates.

He looks at the bracelet.

Then at me.

Then back at the bracelet.

MARCUS Fine.

He gestures toward a car.

MARCUS Get in.

Rain pounds against the windshield.

The wipers struggle to keep up.

Marcus sits behind the wheel.

His hands grip the steering wheel tightly.

sit beside him.

The car smells of wet leather and cigarettes.

MARCUS Even if we get to the company, we don't have the main key.

A beat.

MARCUS The security system requires Mr. Black's fingerprint.

smile.

reach into my bag.

take out a key.

Then a replica fingerprint.

Marcus stares.

ELINA I told you.

hold them up.

ELINA I'm close enough to Mr. Black that things like this are easy.

Marcus looks at me in disbelief.

MARCUS

How?

ELINA Trust me.

A beat.

ELINA You'll make good money.

Marcus remains silent.

The rain pounds harder.

Then—

MARCUS Give me a minute.

He takes out his phone.

MARCUS I need to text my wife.

look at him.

ELINA

You have a wife?

Marcus smiles faintly.

MARCUS Two kids too.

expression changes.

ELINA Good.

look out at the rain.

The city lights reflect off the wet streets.

ELINA Would you want their future to look like yours?

Marcus doesn't answer.

ELINA Working for someone like Black.

A beat.

ELINA

Saying yes to everything.

ELINA Getting your hands dirty because he's rich.

Marcus looks down.

MARCUS No, ma'am.

He sends the message.

The rain becomes heavier.

The car moves through the empty streets.

The city is asleep.

Marcus finally breaks the silence.

MARCUS Who are you?

watch the rain slide down the window.

ELINA The first day I met Daniel...

A beat.

ELINA It was raining too.

turn toward Marcus.

ELINA I work for Bernhard Smith.

Marcus's eyes widen.

MARCUS The president?

nod.

ELINA Yes.

Marcus stares at me.

ELINA

My first assignment was Daniel Richard.

ELINA He worked at Black Hospital.

ELINA I thought getting close to a doctor would be easy.

smile faintly.

ELINA I was wrong.

ELINA He was too afraid of Black to help me.

A beat.

ELINA He couldn't even stand up to him.

look out the window.

ELINA Eventually, Black took his life.

Marcus looks uncomfortable.

He shifts in his seat.

MARCUS And Edward Waltz?

laugh quietly.

ELINA Waltz?

shake my head.

ELINA He was never the target.

ELINA Smith suspected he knew something.

A beat.

ELINA Or that he might be working for Black.

smile.

ELINA

So Smith sent me to him.

MARCUS And?

ELINA A week was enough.

laugh.

ELINA He was much more foolish than I expected.

Marcus looks at me.

MARCUS Then Black was the real target.

expression becomes serious.

ELINA Yes.

A beat.

ELINA It took a year.

ELINA Honestly, at first I didn't know how to get close to him.

smile faintly.

ELINA He was smart.

A beat.

ELINA After all...

ELINA He was Ethan Black.

pause . For a moment, something flickers in her eyes.Then it's gone. I press my lips together and look away.

MARCUS How did you get close to people like that?

look at him.

ELINA I became whatever they wanted me to be.

Marcus listens carefully.

ELINA With Daniel, I became vulnerable.

ELINA I told him I'd tried to kill myself.

A pause.

ELINA Because he was already terrified of Black.

ELINA I knew he'd believe someone who looked broken.

smirk coldly.

ELINA But Black killed him anyway.

Marcus looks disturbed.

MARCUS And Waltz?

ELINA I told him I was brilliant.

laugh.

ELINA His adoptive father spent years telling him he was stupid.

ELINA So when someone intelligent showed him attention...

A beat.

ELINA He trusted me.

ELINA Even after realizing I was working against his father.

Marcus stares at me.

MARCUS So Waltz knew you were a spy?

nod.

ELINA Yes.

ELINA He even called Black once.

ELINA Introduced himself.

A faint smile.

ELINA I think he wanted to expose everything because of me.

MARCUS What are you going to do with the documents?

ELINA That's not my decision.

A beat.

ELINA Smith promised me that once Black falls...

look ahead.

ELINA I will replace money with science, fear with art , control with philosophy -- and let freedom emerge.

Marcus hesitates.

MARCUS And if Black falls—

MARCUS You fall with him.

laugh.

ELINA Are you joking?

turn toward him.

ELINA I won't fall, I will be the one who builds the ground beneath the ruins. You serve a man. I serve an idea.

Marcus looks at me.

ELINA I don't want to spend my life saying "yes" just because someone is rich.

Marcus nods slowly.

MARCUS I understand.

Then—

MARCUS Don't you feel guilty?

look at him.

ELINA Did you feel guilty when Daniel Richard died?

Marcus says nothing.

turn toward the window.

ELINA Why is it so difficult for people to understand a cruel woman?

A beat.

ELINA When a man like Ethan Black is cruel, you call it power.

look directly at Marcus.

ELINA But when a woman does it...

A faint smile.

ELINA You call her a monster.

Marcus doesn't respond.

He points ahead.

The massive BLACK EMPIRE building rises above the city.

Its glass surface reflects the rain and the city lights.

It looks like a black monolith against the stormy sky.

Marcus stops the car.

MARCUS Second floor.

A beat.

MARCUS Third room on the right.

MARCUS There's a box inside.

MARCUS The fingerprint will open it.

nod.

reach for the door.

MARCUS I'll wait here.

look back at him.

ELINA Fine.

A faint smile.

ELINA But you're a terrible driver.

Marcus looks confused.

ELINA A thirty-minute drive took you an hour.

get out.

The rain hit me immediately.

I don’t look back.

enter using the key.

The lobby is silent.

The security system scans the fake fingerprint.

ACCESS GRANTED.

smile.

move quickly through the empty building.

footsteps echo against the marble floors.

The building is cold.

Sterile.

Everything is polished and sharp.

reach the elevator.

Press the button.

The doors open.

step inside.

The doors close.

run down the corridor.

breathing is heavy.

The fluorescent lights buzz above me.

stop in front of a dark door.

open it.

Nothing but darkness.

turn on my phone flashlight.

The beam cuts through the dark.

A desk.

A cabinet.

And finally—

The box.

It sits in the corner.

Steel.

Locked.

approach it.

hand trembles.

press the fake fingerprint against the scanner.

CLICK.

The box opens.

Inside—

Several documents.

Bound in black folders.

quickly grab them.

fingers feel the weight of the paper.

Then stop.

look toward the door.

ELINA If I take them...

whisper to myself.

ELINA He'll know.

put the papers back.

Take out my phone.

unfold one of the documents.

Open the camera.

Raise the phone.

The flash goes off.

On the screen—

A message appears.

Good job , my wife. Try not to blur the picture."

freeze.

hands begin to shake.

The phone almost slips from my fingers.

Suddenly—

CLICK.

The lights turn on.

The room floods with white light.

slowly look up.

ETHAN BLACK stands across the room.

Clapping.

Slowly.

Calmly.

Each clap echoes in the empty room.

He removes one AirPod.

ETHAN You completed the mission successfully.

He smiles.

ETHAN Congratulations.

stare at him.

drop to the floor.

knees hit the cold ground. ELINA

struggle to speak.

ELINA I only came here because—

stop.

Then change direction.

ELINA Marcus forced me.

A beat.

ELINA He made me come here.

Ethan smiles.

ETHAN Really?

He takes out his phone.

Presses PLAY.

Marcus's voice fills the room.

listen.

face becomes completely still.

Ethan sits down in front of me

He reaches toward my face.

His fingers are cold against my skin.

ETHAN You were playing a game...

A beat.

ETHAN ...that I created.

look at him.

ELINA What are you going to do with me?

Ethan reaches inside his jacket.

He pulls out a gun.

He places it on the floor between us.

The metal clinks against the marble.

ETHAN I'm not unfair enough to kill you right here.

He looks directly into my eyes.

ETHAN Stand up.

A beat.

ETHAN Defend yourself.

slowly pick up the gun.

fingers tremble around the grip.

Ethan takes out another.

ETHAN Russian roulette?

say nothing.

ETHAN One bullet.

A smile.

ETHAN Completely random.

He gestures toward me.

ETHAN

You start.

close my eyes.

The room is silent.

The rain continues outside.

CLICK.

Empty.

Ethan takes the gun.

He closes his eyes.

ETHAN My turn.

CLICK.

Empty.

Again.

And again.

The silence becomes unbearable.

The rain pounds against the windows.

Finally—

Only one bullet remains.

eyes fill with tears.

ELINA If I pull the trigger...

voice breaks.

ELINA You could die.

Ethan watches me.

ETHAN

You don't know where the bullet is.

slowly raise the gun toward myself.

close my eyes.

Pull the trigger.

CLICK.

Silence.

open my eyes.

han is still standing.

Watching me.

He walks closer.

Each step echoes.

begin to cry.

ELINA If you can’t kill me… why are you coming closer?

ETHAN Because I want to know the reason.

asks calmly

ETHAN You were my queen. I gave you everything. Why did you want to destroy everything

ELINA I spent a year watching you. Watching how you control everyone. How you use fear like a currency.

continue it firmly.

ELINA I want to build a world where money isn't the answer for everything. Where control isn't a virtue. Where fear isn't a tool.

I raise my voice

ELINA I want to make your empire meaningless.

He said nothing.

He just looked at me mockingly

Suddenly—

Ethan's phone rings.

He answers.

Puts it on speaker.

A familiar voice fills the room.

SMITH She only sent me the archive files.

A beat.

SMITH Not the classified documents.

eyes widen.

recogniz the voice.

BERNHARD SMITH.

Ethan reads the message. His expression doesn't change. He looks at me. Something cold passes through his eyes. He knew. All along, he knew.

ETHAN Understood, Mr. Smith.

He ends the call.

He steps closer.

ETHAN The target was never the documents.

stare at him.

ETHAN The target was YOU.

A beat.

He leans closer.

breathing stops.

ETHAN You got close enough.

A faint smile.

ETHAN Now you're mine. Physical and mentally

stare at him, unable to process what I’m hearing.

Then—

He grabbed the gun.

Aimed it straight at my face.

ETHAN Game’s over. Time to go… my wife.”

BANG

A deafening sound.

Everything disappears into darkness.

BLACK SCREEN

Silence.

A few seconds pass.

eyes suddenly open.

A MAN, around 35, is staring at me

DANIEL RICHARD.

DANIEL Elina?

look around.

Confused.

The cinema is dimly lit.

The credits are rolling on the screen.

People are gathering their things.

DANIEL Are you okay?

He smiles nervously.

DANIEL You fell asleep during the movie.

A beat.

DANIEL You scared me. I thought something happened.

He stands.

DANIEL Come on. The movie's over.

slowly get up.

look at him.

Something about him feels familiar.

Too familiar.

ELINA Daniel.

He turns.

DANIEL Yes?

ELINA I asked you to buy me an energy drink.

Daniel laughs.

DANIEL Yes, I didn’t know that you need energy drink so much.

smile faintly.

walk closer.

ELINA By the way...

A beat.

ELINA You said you're a doctor.

Daniel nods.

ELINA Which hospital do you work at?

Daniel stops.

Looks at ms

DANIEL How did we get from energy drinks to that?

laugh softly.

ELINA It just came to my mind.

Daniel smiles.

DANIEL I work at a very good hospital.

He hesitates.

DANIEL But it's a little intimidating.

ELINA What's it called?

Daniel looks at me.

DANIEL Black Hospital.

freeze.

The smile disappear from my face.

ELINA What did you say?

Daniel laughs.

DANIEL Black Hospital.

stare at him.

The sound of rain begins to rise.

The image slowly fades to black.

The rain grows louder. Daniel's smile fades as he watches me .

ELINA (V.O.)

Black Hospital... It always comes back to Black Hospital.

Fade out.

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN.