Nick Fury's words struck Bruce like lightning.
He froze. Then slowly, his gaze lifted back to the headstone before him.
On it, Betty's picture smiled at him—radiant, as though she were still alive.
Bruce said nothing.
…
An hour later.
Back at his apartment, Bruce carried a cardboard box filled with Betty's belongings from the bedroom to the living room.
He carefully removed their wedding photo from the wall, set it gently against the wall, then sank to the floor, staring at it blankly.
A chime broke the silence.
His phone.
It was an email from Nick Fury. Attached—a S.H.I.E.L.D. medical report.
Bruce opened it. Read it. Said nothing. Then dialed Fury's number.
The line connected.
"Bruce—"
"You were part of her plan. Or was this plan yours from the start, Nick?"
"…What?" Fury faltered, a pit forming in his gut.
Bruce's eyes never left the photo.
"Betty knew the man who killed General Ross was the same one who killed the Hulk. I assume you told her that."
"…What?"
"I'm not stupid, Nick." Bruce's voice was calm. Too calm. "My IQ may not be genius-level, but it's higher than yours. And right now, I almost wish it weren't."
On the other end, Fury breathed heavily for a few seconds. Then: "I don't understand what you're—"
"Betty couldn't have been pregnant. Not with me."
Fury stiffened. "…What?"
"I was exposed to lethal levels of gamma radiation," Bruce whispered. His eyes darkened. "I can't father children."
"So tell me, Nick—what was your real reason for forging that report? Betty refused your plan, didn't she?"
Fury fell silent. Then laughed bitterly. "…Yes."
"You're lying, Nick."
"…What?"
"Again—I'm smarter than you." Bruce's tone turned sharp. "When I was hunted by Ross, I learned to hear lies, even without seeing a face. And you just lied to me."
"Bruce, I—"
"You're pathetic," Bruce cut him off. "She refused your proposal, yet you went ahead anyway. Why?"
He pulled out a second phone, opened the video files. Betty's last recording began to play.
Betty sat on their couch, calm, her eyes steady.
"Bruce… if you're watching this, I'm already gone. I'm sorry. I thought about forgetting everything, starting over with you. I really did. But I couldn't. To me, my father wasn't a monster—he was the best man I ever knew. I loved you. But I couldn't forget him."
Her voice trembled, then steadied.
"When I resolved to act, Nick Fury approached me. He suggested… pregnancy. That it would bind you to avenge me. I refused. I could use love to chain you, but I would never use a lie."
She paused, tears in her eyes. "Bruce, whatever choice you make, remember—I loved you. On our wedding day, I married you out of love."
"Goodbye."
"Forever yours, Betty."
The video ended.
Bruce exhaled slowly, then spoke into the phone. "You didn't expect her to leave me a message, did you, Nick?"
Fury's silence said enough.
Finally, Fury sighed. "He's too dangerous, Bruce. Someone has to stop him if he ever loses control. Natasha and Barton can't. Rogers won't. Stark is stepping down. Thor's gone. That leaves only you. Only the Hulk."
"So yes. Betty's death is tragic. But it means you must step up."
Bruce chuckled darkly. "You're such a hypocrite, Nick Fury."
"Bruce—"
"Don't pretend this is about justice. You're terrified. Terrified Hawk will discover it was you who leaked his location to Ross. Terrified he'll crush your skull the way he did Ross's. So you tried to twist Betty's grief into your weapon. And when she refused—you forged that report."
Fury didn't deny it. His voice was flat.
"Bruce, you're mistaken. I—"
"Stop. The only reason you're still on this line is because you're scared I'll tell Hill and the others the truth. Relax. I won't. You can slam the phone down in rage now."
A click.
Silence.
Bruce dropped the phone, unmoved.
His eyes returned to Betty's frozen smile in the video.
Her words echoed: "I loved you."
And he knew what he must do.
"Actually…" he whispered, "I wasn't lying when I said the Hulk is dead. He is."
His lips twisted into a bitter smile.
"But I think I can bring him back. For a price."
He touched the wedding photo.
"One life… for one life. Betty, I hated the Hulk. He ruined everything. But now… nothing matters anymore."
"You're gone. So I'll trade my life for his. Wait for me in hell. I'll be there soon."
In the darkened apartment, Bruce murmured to himself, eyes on her image.
…
(End of Chapter)
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