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Episode 20: Bargains with the Devil
Location: Cassandra's Private Compound – Midnight
Evan stepped onto the helipad in all black—no weapons visible, but her eyes were sharper than bullets.
The compound loomed ahead like a serpent's jaw: beautiful, expensive, full of poison.
Inside, Cassandra waited.
---
Cassandra's Private Lounge
Cassandra sipped from a wine glass, red like blood.
She smirked as Evan entered.
"I see you didn't bring the child."
Evan didn't blink. "He's not your leverage anymore."
"No?" Cassandra tilted her head. "Then why are you here?"
"To get what's mine."
"And give what I want."
They locked eyes. Two predators, no masks.
---
Back at the Safehouse – Simultaneously
Abel paced like a storm in a cage.
"She shouldn't have gone alone," he growled.
"She's not alone," Emrys said, revealing a hidden feed. "I embedded a micro-transmitter in her earring. We can hear everything."
Abel snapped his head toward the screen.
"Then listen close. Because if Cassandra lays a finger on her…"
"I know," Emrys said. "We go in."
---
Inside the Deal Room – Cassandra's Terms
Cassandra dropped a vial on the table.
"This is what's keeping Elio alive. Synthetic stem serum."
Evan's hands clenched at her sides.
"You poisoned him."
"No, darling," Cassandra purred. "I perfected him. His DNA was unstable from the start. A genetic Frankenstein. I made sure he wouldn't collapse… until now."
"And you'll give me the cure?" Evan asked, voice low.
"In exchange for one thing."
"What?"
Cassandra smiled cruelly.
"You."
---
Flashback – Two Years Ago
A lab technician hesitates in front of a control panel.
"Embryo Dendelion-Luna is stable, ma'am."
"Split it," Cassandra says coldly.
"Excuse me?"
"Clone the embryo. Two children. One for control, one for growth acceleration."
"But that's unethical—"
Cassandra glares.
"And? This isn't about ethics. It's about power."
---
Present
"You want me to stay," Evan said slowly, "as your experiment."
"No, no," Cassandra laughed softly. "As your true self. You think you're a mother now? A good person?"
She stepped closer.
"You're not. You're me. You were born in the fire. Raised in betrayal. You liked the war, Evan."
Evan's breath caught.
Because a part of her… remembered.
---
Safehouse – Emergency Alert
Elio suddenly screamed in his crib—body convulsing.
Zane and Elara clung to the nurse in panic.
Dr. Raines shouted from across the room.
"His blood pressure is collapsing!"
Abel stared at the monitor, then at Emrys.
"We're out of time."
---
Back to Cassandra's Compound
Evan took a long breath.
Then she sat across from Cassandra and said calmly—
"Give me the vial. I'll give you what you want."
Cassandra blinked.
"You'll stay?"
"No," Evan whispered.
"I'll give you the truth."
---
Suddenly – The Power Cuts
Blackout.
Screams in the distance.
A flashbang rolled into the room.
BOOM!
Evan ducked, eyes burning. Then—
Abel burst through the glass wall, gun drawn.
"Move!"
Evan grabbed the vial and ran. Cassandra dove after it but Emrys tackled her down.
"Traitor!" Cassandra shrieked.
"I was loyal," Emrys hissed. "Until you tried to replace me with a child!"
---
Escape – Helicopter on the Roof
Evan clutched the vial to her chest, heart racing.
Abel lifted her into the chopper. Emrys followed.
Below, Cassandra screamed as her lab went up in smoke.
But before she vanished behind the flames—
She smiled.
---
Final Scene – Safehouse Recovery Room
Evan injected the serum into Elio's IV.
His breathing slowed. Then steadied.
He opened his eyes.
"Mama…" he whispered. "It hurts less now."
Evan broke into tears.
"You're safe, my baby."
Abel stood behind her, hand on her shoulder.
But the peace didn't last.
Because Emrys said one word that shattered it all:
> "That vial… wasn't just a cure."
"It was a trigger."
---
💥 End of Episode 20
> Coming in Episode 21:
Elio begins remembering things he never saw.
Evan confronts her own monstrous instincts.
And Cassandra's final move?
She left something inside Elio before Evan ever got him back…