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EPISODE 6

Scene 39: Unforgiven

(INT. BLACKWOOD MANSION – SEBASTIAN'S STUDY)

The dim light of the study casts long shadows across the room. The city’s lights sparkle in the distance as Sebastian stands, gazing out the window, lost in thought. His empire—once seemingly invincible—is in a delicate position, but the presence of Kara at his side has steadied the ship. At least, that’s what he thought.

The door creaks open, and Kara steps in, her figure strong and graceful. But there’s something in her step tonight—a coldness, a distance he can’t ignore.

She doesn’t even look at him as she steps toward the window, her eyes scanning the view without a word.

Sebastian swallows hard and speaks, though his voice is tentative, unsure of how to navigate the tension in the room.

SEBASTIAN

(softly) You’re distant.

Kara’s posture is perfect, but he can feel the distance between them, like an invisible wall that wasn’t there before. She remains silent for a moment, her back to him.

KARA

(quietly) What did you expect?

Her voice, normally calm, holds an edge of frustration. She turns her head slightly, enough for him to catch the flicker of her eyes.

SEBASTIAN

(stumbling, confused) I thought... I thought we were past this. That after everything, we could...

He doesn’t finish the thought, because he realizes how ridiculous it sounds now. After everything they’ve been through, she’s still so far from him.

Kara turns slowly to face him, and the air between them feels charged, as though something important is about to shift.

KARA

(quiet, measured) I’m doing what you’ve never done. What you were never willing to do.

SEBASTIAN

(frowning, perplexed) And what’s that?

She takes a step closer, her eyes locking with his, her voice low, but sharp, like a blade being unsheathed.

KARA

I’m fighting for you. For us. For this—this empire. But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you, Sebastian.

His breath catches in his chest, and for a moment, he’s silent, trying to process her words.

SEBASTIAN

(faltering) I’ve changed. I’ve seen everything differently.

Kara’s lips curl into a thin smile, but it’s devoid of warmth. She shakes her head slowly, as though the distance between them is growing, not shrinking.

KARA

(icy) You’ve changed? You think just because you’ve put on the mask of a reformed man, everything’s forgiven? That’s not how this works.

Sebastian steps forward, desperation in his voice.

SEBASTIAN

(softly) Kara, I’ve never been more grateful for you. You’ve saved me in ways I can’t even begin to explain. You’ve done what no one else could. Please, just let me prove it to you.

She takes a deep breath, her gaze hardening as her posture remains unwavering.

KARA

(steely) You want to prove something to me? Start by proving it to yourself first. Start by proving that you’re not the man who discarded her like a broken toy.

The words hit Sebastian like a punch to the gut. He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

KARA

(softly, almost to herself) The real Kara didn’t deserve what you did to her. You used her—just like everyone else used her. She was never enough for you.

Sebastian’s breath hitches. He stands there, frozen, the weight of her words sinking deep into him. He opens his mouth, but the apology, the words he’s been carrying for years, just can’t find their way to the surface.

SEBASTIAN

(softly) I never meant to hurt her.

KARA

(flatly) But you did.

There’s a long pause. Neither one moves, both of them lost in the gravity of what’s been said.

Finally, Kara turns away, her voice breaking the silence.

KARA

(sternly) I’m not her, Sebastian. I’m not the woman you thought you could control. I’m not the woman you treated like a shadow to your perfect image.

Her words ring in the silence, sharp and final. She walks toward the door, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Before she exits, she stops and looks back at him, her eyes cold, yet there’s a flash of vulnerability behind them.

KARA

(firm) You haven’t earned my forgiveness. Not yet.

Sebastian stands in the middle of the room, her words echoing in his mind, cutting deeper than any of the business battles he’s faced. He doesn’t even realize he’s gripping the edge of his desk until his knuckles turn white.

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Scene 40: The Breaking Point

(INT. BLACKWOOD MANSION – LIVING ROOM)

The soft flicker of candlelight illuminates the grand living room. Kara is seated by the fireplace, her posture perfect, but there’s something in her eyes—a storm brewing beneath the calm exterior.

Sebastian watches her from the doorframe, unable to bring himself to interrupt. But after a long moment, he finally steps into the room, his voice low, but full of urgency.

SEBASTIAN

(earnestly) Kara, please... can we talk?

Kara doesn’t immediately respond. She doesn’t even acknowledge him at first. It’s as though she’s lost in her thoughts, wrestling with her emotions in a way that he can’t reach. Finally, she looks up, and the intensity in her gaze makes him freeze.

KARA

(coldly) What is there to talk about, Sebastian?

SEBASTIAN

(softly) I’ve been thinking a lot about everything you said. About how I’ve never shown you who I really am.

Kara raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

KARA

I’m not interested in words, Sebastian. I’m interested in actions.

SEBASTIAN

(stepping closer) Then I’ll show you. I’ll prove it, Kara. I’ll prove that I’m not that man anymore.

Kara stands up slowly, her eyes never leaving his. She walks toward him, her gaze searching his face as though trying to find the truth beneath the mask.

KARA

(quietly) I need you to understand something. I didn’t fight for you because I thought it was easy. I didn’t fight for you because I liked you. I did it because I knew you were worth fighting for.

Sebastian’s chest tightens, but Kara doesn’t give him a chance to speak.

KARA

(whispering) But I’m not the woman you think I am. You don’t get to control me just because we’re married. You don’t get to think that everything is forgiven because you’re sorry now.

Sebastian’s heart races as the full weight of her words settles over him.

SEBASTIAN

(softly, desperately) I’m not asking for your forgiveness, not yet. I know I don’t deserve it. But I’m asking for the chance to prove to you that I’m more than the man who hurt you.

Kara looks at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face, looking for a glimmer of sincerity. But beneath the layers of uncertainty and pain, there’s something there. Something raw.

She takes a step back, her gaze unwavering.

KARA

I’ve been fighting for you, Sebastian. For us. But I need to know if you’re truly worth fighting for.

A long silence stretches between them, the tension thick, before she speaks again, her voice softer but still firm.

KARA

If you’re not willing to fight for me, then I’ll walk away. But if you truly want to prove yourself—if you want to show me that you’re more than just a man who uses people—then I’ll be here. But don’t expect forgiveness to come easily.

She turns and walks toward the door again, leaving him standing in the center of the room, his world spinning as he faces the truth: he has everything to prove, and the one person he needs most is the one person he’s hurt the most.

As she exits the room, her words echo in his mind, leaving him with only one truth: Kara’s not just a woman to conquer. She’s a force to be reckoned with. And if he wants her back, he’ll have to fight like never before.