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Blood Wedding Anniversary #shortmax
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00:00On our 7th wedding anniversary, I was straddling my mafia husband, Raymond, kissing him deeply.
00:05My fingers fumbled in the pocket of my expensive silk dress, searching for the pregnancy test I'd hidden there.
00:10I wanted to save the news of my unexpected pregnancy by the end of the evening.
00:13Raymond's right-hand man asked with a suggestive smile in Italian.
00:21Raymond's mocking laughter vibrated through my chest, sending a chill down my spine.
00:25He replied, also in Italian.
00:31His hand was still caressing my waist, but his gaze was distant.
00:42His men chuckled knowingly, raising their glasses and swearing their silence.
00:46The warmth in my blood turned to ice, inch by inch.
00:48The one thing they didn't know was that my grandmother was from Sicily, so I understood every word.
00:52I forced myself to remain calm, keeping the perfect smile of a donna fixed in place,
00:57but the hand holding my champagne flute trembled.
00:59Instead of making a scene, I opened my phone, found the invitation I had received a few days ago
01:03for a private international medical research project, and tapped accept.
01:07In 3 days, I would disappear from Raymond's world completely.
01:10Noticing I hadn't touched the blood orange he'd peeled for me,
01:12Raymond gently wiped a smudge of wine from the corner of my mouth with his thumb.
01:15Baby, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?
01:17Looking at the deep affection in his eyes, all I felt was disgust.
01:21One moment he was discussing my sister's body with his men,
01:24and the next, he was the perfect husband, deeply in love with his wife.
01:27I wondered how long he could keep up this masterful performance.
01:31It's nothing. I was just wondering, what were you all talking about just now?
01:35Raymond casually pinched my cheek, letting out a doting chuckle.
01:40We were discussing an arms deal.
01:42I know you don't like hearing about that side of the business, so we used Italian.
01:46He must have been so lost in his debauchery lately that he'd forgotten my grandmother was Sicilian,
01:50and that I've understood Italian since I was a child.
01:52The smoke and liquor in the air suddenly felt suffocating.
01:55I pushed him away.
01:57Please, carry on. I'm going to get some fresh air.
02:02Without waiting for Raymond's reply, I walked straight to the estate's terrace.
02:05As I passed, the other wives cast envious glances my way.
02:09Look at our Donna. Truly blessed.
02:11It throws such a grand party for her every year.
02:14The queen of the Marino family.
02:17What an enviable position.
02:18Hearing such praise used to make me feel proud and happy.
02:21I believed I had found the best husband in the world.
02:24But now, I only felt there and eat my heart of frozen lake.
02:27No one knew the filthy games Raymond, the man who supposedly loved me to death, played behind my back.
02:32Yesterday, I had snuck into his study to leave the anniversary gift I'd prepared for him.
02:36It was a restricted area, a place that held many of the Marino family's secrets,
02:40a place even I rarely had the chance to enter.
02:42But this time, I smelled my sister Lola's unique perfume there.
02:45That cheap, cloying scent had soaked into the leather sofa, clung to his suit jacket, and lingered in the air.
02:50The moment I walked out of that study, I knew my marriage to Raymond was over.
02:54A sudden vibration from my phone broke my train of thought.
02:58Camilla, I saw on the system that you accepted the project offer.
03:01You gave up your career for Marino all those years ago.
03:04I'm so happy to see you're coming back.
03:07I'll send someone to pick you up in three days.
03:09You can spend these next few days saying goodbye to your family.
03:12At the word of family, my knuckles whitened as I gripped my phone.
03:15Ever since my parents were killed in a blood feud five years ago, Raymond was the only family I had
03:20left.
03:20But now that he had betrayed me, he was no longer my family.
03:24Professor, that won't be necessary.
03:25Please apply for the highest level of security clearance on my behalf and erase all public records of me.
03:30My mentor's voice, full of surprise, came through the phone.
03:33Why?
03:34Once those records are erased, Camilla Vedari will have completely vanished from the face of the earth.
03:40Raymond will go insane when he can't find you.
03:43I laughed bitterly.
03:44He won't. He betrayed me.
03:47My eyes began to sting.
03:48After leaving medical school, the only medical practice I got was patching Raymond up after his gunfights.
03:53I had lost myself and gained nothing in return.
03:56All right.
03:58I'll arrange the highest level of security clearance for you.
04:02Just get your affairs in order these next three days.
04:06Hearing my mentor agree, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
04:09The security protocol meant I no longer had to rack my brain for a way to leave Raymond.
04:13My mentor fell silent.
04:15After a long moment, he sighed.
04:17Just as the words left my mouth, a familiar deep voice sounded from behind me, making me jump.
04:22Darling, who did you say was betrayed?
04:25I turned to meet Raymond's dark green eyes, which had sharpened with suspicion, and put on my usual gentle smile.
04:29Oh, I was just chatting with a friend about one of the West Coast families.
04:33The Don betrayed his wife, and now she's filing for divorce and a share of the assets.
04:38If he loved acting so much, I would play along.
04:40Raymond's gaze was sharp as he scanned my face, searching for any telltale micro expression.
04:45Only after confirming there was nothing amiss did his tense shoulders slowly relax.
04:49Does he placed a light kiss on my temple?
04:51What an idiot.
04:52To betray your woman is to betray your own throne.
04:56My queen, that kind of thing will never happen in our family.
05:00But what if it did happen?
05:02For example...
05:03Camilla, there is no what if.
05:05I, Raymond Marino, swear on the honor and bloodline of the Marino family.
05:10I will never betray you.
05:12Of course.
05:14I was just speaking hypothetically.
05:16Raymond fell silent for a moment, then gently rubbed his slightly rough jaw against my cheek.
05:20It was strange.
05:21While carrying on an affair with my sister, he also displayed an intense, suffocating possessiveness towards me.
05:27Then let my punishment be that I can never find you again.
05:31You know, Camilla, you are my life.
05:34Without you, I'd go to hell anyway.
05:35I didn't respond, only gently wriggled free from his embrace.
05:38In three days, I would leave this embrace I once craved.
05:41Raymond, the punishment you just promised is about to come true.
05:44Voice interrupted.
05:46Don, everything is ready.
05:48Raymond nodded, a mysterious smile playing on his lips as he took my hand and led me toward the edge
05:52of the terrace.
05:56He suddenly covered my eyes and whispered in my ear.
05:59My baby, I have a special gift for you.
06:02Five.
06:04Four.
06:05Three.
06:06The moment the countdown finished, he removed his hands from my eyes.
06:10The sight before me was breathtaking.
06:11He had booked the entire private port, where hundreds of drones danced in the night sky.
06:16The twinkling drones eventually formed my name.
06:19Camilla.
06:19Raymond embraced me from behind, his voice as gentle as ever.
06:22My sweetheart, we've been married for seven years.
06:27But every day with you feels as wonderful as the day we first met.
06:32I looked at the sparkling letters in the night sky, feeling as if I were in a different lifetime.
06:37Yes, seven years.
06:38From the innocent princess of the Vettorai family to the Donna of the Marino family.
06:42These seven years have changed me so much.
06:44Enough to turn deep love into betrayal, and vows into lies.
06:48Raymond turned me to face him, his dark green eyes so focused, they seemed to melt me.
06:52Seven years.
06:53And every year I've wanted to give you the best.
06:56He slowly leaned in to kiss me.
06:58If I hadn't heard him and Lola moaning in his office yesterday, I might have been fooled
07:02by this Oscar-worthy performance until the day I died.
07:04Just as his lips were about to touch mine, his phone vibrated.
07:07A flicker of annoyance at being interrupted crossed his face, an expression I knew all too well.
07:12Good.
07:12I wouldn't have to think of a way to dodge him.
07:19Damn it.
07:21I gave explicit orders that no one was to disturb us tonight.
07:24I want to know which idiot dared to ignore them.
07:27But when he saw the caller ID, his expression changed instantly.
07:30I glanced at the screen and saw, my little canary.
07:33I knew it was Lola.
07:34Raymond cleared his throat.
07:36I clearly saw a flash of panic and raw desire in his eyes.
07:39Sure enough, the next second he turned to me.
07:42What is it?
07:43I asked casually, my nails digging deep into my palms.
07:46The truth was obvious, but I still hoped that this time, he would choose me.
07:51There's some urgent family business I need to handle, darling.
07:54I might have to leave, for a bit.
07:59Now?
08:00I'm sorry.
08:01I know tonight is important, but this really can't wait.
08:06He kissed my forehead.
08:08You go back to the room and rest.
08:10I'll be back to join you as soon as I'm done.
08:12I nodded, acting like an obedient wife.
08:14I understand.
08:15And family business always comes first.
08:18Hearing my response, Raymond was visibly relieved.
08:21He gave me a quick hug before turning and leaving in a hurry.
08:24I stood on the terrace, watching his convoy of cars drive out of the estate gates.
08:28Once their taillights have completely disappeared, I turned and walked toward the parking garage.
08:32Since he had urgent business to attend to, I decided I should go see for myself just how urgent it
08:36was.
08:37I started the engine and quietly followed his convoy.
08:41I tracked Raymond's convoy to a private club on the east side of the city.
08:45It was open only to members of the Marino family.
08:47Thankfully, the guards at the entrance recognized my car and gave me a respectful nod.
08:52I parked across the street, observing from my car window.
08:55As soon as the car door opened, I saw Lola in a tight red dress and 10-centimeter heels,
08:59pouncing into Raymond's arms like a cat in heat.
09:03Darling, that drone show made me so jealous.
09:06Raymond patted her back, his tone doting.
09:08Wasn't the firework show for your birthday a few days ago enough?
09:11Such a greedy little canary?
09:12You silly girl.
09:13You'll have everything you want, but now is not the time.
09:15I promised you, as long as you behave and don't let Nora find out about our little game,
09:19all the power and status she has will one day be yours too.
09:21Hearing this, a sharp pain shot through my heart, as if a thousand daggers were piercing
09:25my chest.
09:26I remembered the spectacular fireworks display on the west side of town a few days ago.
09:30That night, Raymond had said he was going to deal with a traitor to the family and didn't
09:34come home all night.
09:35I had been so worried something had happened to him that I couldn't sleep a wink.
09:38As it turned out, the real threat was my husband sleeping in my sister's bed.
09:42And I, his wife, was the real fool kept in the dark.
09:45Lola let out a coquettish whine, her fingertips tracing deadly circles on his firm chest.
09:49Can't I even be jealous, my Don?
09:52Ine, what can I do?
09:53You're my baby after all.
09:55Now I have something special for you tonight.
09:58Lola whispered something in his ear, then yanked on his tie.
10:01Raymond's eyes instantly darkened with desire.
10:04Then what are you waiting for?
10:06Tell me what it is.
10:07You'll find out when we get upstairs.
10:09You'll have to unwrap your gift personally.
10:12Right there in public, Raymond swept her up into his arms and strode towards the club.
10:16Lola let out a seductive cry, the rest of her words swallowed by Raymond's deep kiss.
10:20The elevator doors closed, taking them straight to the presidential suite on the top floor.
10:25I sat in my car, watching their figures disappear into the elevator.
10:28Seven years of marriage, and it all meant nothing to him.
10:31Even though I already knew everything, seeing it for myself was still as painful as a knife
10:35to the heart.
10:35The tears I'd been holding back finally fell, streaming down my cheeks.
10:38I remembered how, when we first got married, Raymond had sworn on the honor of the Marino
10:43family that he would spend our entire anniversary day with me every year.
10:46But now, a single text from Lola was enough to make him abandon that sacred vow.
10:50I had lost completely.
10:52I took a deep breath, suppressing the storm of emotions inside me.
10:55Just three more days.
10:57In three days, I would escape all of this.
10:59It was two in the morning when I returned to the estate.
11:01I went straight to a guest room and locked the door.
11:04At 3.30, I heard Raymond return.
11:06He was shouting my name in the master bedroom.
11:08Camilla?
11:10Camilla?
11:11Damn it!
11:12Where did she go?
11:13Dawn.
11:14The Donna's car isn't in the garage.
11:16She may have gone out.
11:18Find her.
11:19Tear this city apart if you have to, but find her.
11:22The footsteps grew closer as he began searching room by room.
11:25When he pushed open the guest room door, I pretended to have just woken up.
11:28The moment he saw me, his anger vanished, replaced by the raw panic of a man who thought he'd
11:33just lost everything.
11:34My God, Nora, you scared the hell out of me.
11:36Why didn't you let me know you were back?
11:38Do you have any idea I almost had the whole place shot up when I couldn't find you?
11:41He rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace, his body trembling slightly.
11:45I couldn't sleep, so I moved to another room.
11:49What's wrong?
11:50Nothing.
11:51I was just terrified when I couldn't find you.
11:54If you really cared about me, you wouldn't have touched another woman.
11:57And you certainly wouldn't have touched my sister.
12:08After being steeped in lies for so long, I could now lie flawlessly myself.
12:13Raymond, his face etched with relief, lay down beside me and locked me in his arms as if
12:17I were a priceless treasure.
12:19Don't you ever do that again.
12:21I'll go crazy if I can't find you.
12:24You know I'd do anything for you.
12:26I closed my eyes, a cold smile on my lips.
12:28The next morning, I prepared an exquisite gift box.
12:31Inside, I placed the family signet ring that symbolized my status as Donna, along with the
12:36divorce papers I had drafted and signed overnight.
12:40Raymond, this is my anniversary gift for you.
12:42He took the box, his eyes filled with surprise.
12:45Should I open it now?
12:47No.
12:47Wait two days.
12:49It'll have more impact then.
12:51He nodded obediently and carefully placed the box in his safe.
12:55I will definitely love your gift.
12:57In two days, I would have vanished from his world completely.
13:00By then, this a gift would tell him the whole truth.
13:03Just as I finished speaking, the doorbell rang.
13:05The door opened to reveal Lola's face.
13:08Tear streaked and pitiful.
13:09Raymond's face darkened instantly.
13:10He grabbed Lola by the wrist and dragged her into the back garden.
13:14Are you trying to get yourself killed?
13:15I warned you to never show your face here.
13:18If your sister finds out about anything, you know the consequences.
13:22I walked to the second floor window, which gave me a perfect view of everything in the garden.
13:26Raymond was like an enraged beast, shoving Lola away forcefully.
13:29Are you insane?
13:31Do you want to bring, to bring the entire family down?
13:35Terrified by his rage, Lola trembled, pulling a hospital report from her bag with a shaking hand.
13:40Even from that distance, I could faintly make out her words.
13:45No, I shouldn't have come, but I'm pregnant.
13:49The doctor said lead last night was too rough.
13:52I'm nine weeks along, and it's a high-risk pregnancy now.
13:55Those words struck me like a bolt of lightning, shattering me completely.
13:59My chest felt as if a hole had been gouged out of it, raw and bleeding.
14:02Lola was also pregnant with a child of the Marino family.
14:05I remembered how, when we first got married, we had discussed the issue of continuing the bloodline.
14:10Having a baby too early will affect our relationship.
14:13I want our marriage to be filled with pure love forever.
14:16Back then, I was so mesmerized by his so, called a devotion, that I believed his nonsense and had been
14:21on birth control ever since.
14:22Only now did I understand.
14:23He could so casually father a child with another woman.
14:27From the very beginning, he never wanted to have a child with me.
14:30Hearing the word, pregnant, Raymond froze.
14:32He stared intently at Lola's stomach.
14:34A flash of confusion in his eyes.
14:36He'd always taken precautions.
14:38So how?
14:52Lola's tears turned to smiles as she stood on her toes to offer him a kiss.
14:55Raymond's eyes instantly darkened, but he gently sidestepped her kiss.
14:59We're at the Marino estate.
15:00Be more careful.
15:02Besides, you need to prioritize the child in your womb now.
15:05Don't provoke me.
15:07A roguish smile touched his lips as he walked back toward the villa.
15:10I quickly retreated to my room and sat back down at the dining table.
15:13Nine weeks.
15:14That must have been the night I first discovered he hadn't come home.
15:17I touched my own stomach.
15:19Feeling nothing but sorry for this little life.
15:21It's mommy's fault.
15:22I couldn't give you a happy family.
15:24Soon, Raymond pushed the door open.
15:27Camilla.
15:28I need to go out and handle something.
15:31The Romano family has been making some moves lately, possibly targeting our business.
15:35I have to go deal with it myself.
15:37You will be good and wait for me here at the estate for the next couple of days.
15:40I gave a faint nod of understanding.
15:42Seeing my placid expression, he was relieved and kissed my forehead before leaving.
15:46He was still so good at his act.
15:48Moving effortlessly between Lola and me.
15:50I watched his disappearing figure, then glanced at the calendar on the wall.
15:53This might be the last time we ever see each other in this life.
15:56That afternoon, my phone vibrated without warning.
15:59On the screen was a picture of an ultrasound report.
16:02It was followed by another picture.
16:03Raymond gently cradling Lola's slightly swollen belly, bowing his head to kiss it reverently.
16:07The tenderness on his face was a gentleness I had never seen before.
16:11Even though the sender was an unknown number, the identity of the sender was obvious.
16:15Perhaps carrying the Merino air had given my sister the audacity to provoke me, the Donna.
16:19But what she didn't know was that none of this had any effect on me anymore.
16:22My heart was already a still, dead sea.
16:25My heart was ash.
16:26I was determined to disappear.
16:28For the next two days, as expected, there was no word from Raymond.
16:31I took advantage of this time to erase every trace of myself from the estate.
16:35I donated what jewels and antiques I could and burned the rest of my personal belongings.
16:39I only kept the bare necessities to take with me.
16:41On the day I left, I woke before dawn and packed everything into a suitcase.
16:45I waited quietly for the car from the lab to pick me up.
16:48Just as I was about to contact my mentor to confirm the pickup time,
16:51my phone received another text from that number.
16:53Mr. The doctor said it's a boy.
16:55I'm carrying the Merino air.
16:57Raymond said he's going to make things official for me and our child.
16:59You useless woman who can't even produce an air.
17:02If you know what's good for you, get out of the Merino estate on your own.
17:04This time, I replied.
17:06Congratulations.
17:07Your wish is about to come true.
17:10Just after I sent the message, the car arrived.
17:12I dragged my suitcase and got into the back seat.
17:15As we passed St. Mary's Cathedral, a sudden downpour began.
17:19Raindrops hammered against the car window, blurring the world outside.
17:22It was then that I saw a familiar line of black cars parked in front of the cathedral through the
17:25rain-swept glass.
17:26That was where we held our wedding seven years ago.
17:29In the rain, Raymond emerged from the church, holding a black umbrella, his other hand holding Lola's tightly.
17:34She wore a white maternity dress, which stood out starkly in the rain.
17:37They had just come out of the church, as if they had just finished a prayer.
17:41Just as Raymond was helping Lola into the car, a gust of wind parted the curtain of rain.
17:45He looked up and happened to look in my direction.
17:47Through two layers of rain-blurred glass, our gazes met again at the very place that had witnessed our vows.
17:53When he saw it was me, his eyes filled with shock, confusion, and fear.
17:57His lips moved silently, as if calling my name.
17:59I looked away, severing our final, silent connection.
18:03The next second, my phone began to vibrate wildly.
18:06The screen displayed the name Raymond.
18:07I turned the phone off completely.
18:09Since I had accepted the highest security protocol, I had to completely cut ties with my past.
18:14The car drove through familiar streets.
18:16Every inch of the city was Merino territory, and it held all my memories of Raymond.
18:20But now, none of it had anything to do with me.
18:22I removed the SIM card from my phone and tossed it out the window without a second thought.
18:26Damn it!
18:27At the same moment, Raymond shoved through the crowd, ignoring Lola's cry of alarm,
18:31and lunged toward the spot where the car had just been.
18:33But it had already vanished into the traffic, leaving only the smell of exhaust in its wake.
18:37Lola grabbed his sleeve.
18:39Raymond, what's wrong?
18:40Did something happen?
18:42It's nothing.
18:43Let's go.
18:43He forced himself to calm down and got back into the car.
18:46But the knot of unease in his gut tightened.
18:48What was Camilla doing there?
18:50Wasn't she at the estate?
18:51And the look in her eyes he'd just seen at the intersection, it terrified him.
18:55After the car reached the safe house, Raymond had Lola rest upstairs.
18:58My little canary, you stay here tonight.
19:01Tomorrow we'll go for a more detailed checkup.
19:04Okay, but you have to stay with me.
19:07I have some things to deal with.
19:09I'll be back soon.
19:11Just then, his private phone rang.
19:13It was the estate's butler.
19:15Dawn, something terrible has happened.
19:17The Donna, she's gone.
19:18What do you mean, gone?
19:20Explain yourself.
19:21The Donna's room is empty.
19:22Her personal belongings are gone.
19:23Not only that, but the jewelry from her safe, her important papers,
19:26even the Videtti family heirlooms, it's all gone.
19:28We've searched the entire villa.
19:30We can't even find a single strand of the Donna's hair.
19:32It's like, it's like she was never here at all.
19:34The phone slipped from Raymond's hand, clattering to the floor.
19:36A wave of cold, raw fear washed over him.
19:39Hearing the noise, Lola came downstairs.
19:42Raymond, you look terrible.
19:43What happened?
19:44The butler said Camilla is gone.
19:46I have to find her.
19:47Without another word, Raymond bolted out into the rain.
19:50At that moment, a surge of triumph shot through Lola.
19:52It seemed the taunting text she'd sent this morning had worked.
19:55The high and mighty Donna had finally been knocked off her throne.
19:58Watching Raymond rush off, she suppressed a smile, forcing a look of concern.
20:03Let's go back and wait for news.
20:05But in her heart, she hoped more than anyone that Raymond would never find me.
20:08Raymond was dialing the number that had been burned into his soul over and over again,
20:12but all he heard was the cold, mechanical voice on the other end.
20:15The number you have dialed is not in service, or is temporarily unavailable.
20:19The downpour soaked his suit, but he didn't care.
20:21After dozens of failed calls, he finally gave up.
20:24He floored the accelerator, and the armored Maybach tore through the streets like a bullet.
20:28The butler asked,
20:29Don, why are you back?
20:31Trembling as he approached, Raymond took the stairs two at a time and threw open the door
20:35to the master bedroom.
20:36Every trace of me had been erased, as if I had never existed in this world.
20:40The closets and the vanity were empty.
20:41The very air scrubbed clean of my scent.
20:44He rushed to my studies.
20:45The medical textbooks were gone from the shelves.
20:48The papers from the desk, all vanished.
20:51Boss, we've searched the entire villa.
20:54We can confirm that all of Mrs. Rossi's things are gone, including the Vittori family's signet ring.
20:59Raymond froze, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes.
21:02That was the symbol of her status as a Vettori.
21:04She would never abandon it.
21:06All his men stood before him, trembling.
21:08Don, could there have been a misunderstanding with the Donna?
21:11Perhaps she left in a fit of anger.
21:13Bullshit!
21:14Get everyone moving!
21:16Find her!
21:16Now!
21:17Just two days ago, when he'd left, my expression had been completely normal.
21:21The thought reminded him of Lola's visit to the estate.
21:23Could something have happened then that he didn't know about?
21:26No.
21:26Impossible.
21:27He had always been cautious when dealing with Lola.
21:30Their entire conversation that day had been in the back garden.
21:33Camilla had been resting upstairs.
21:35He was certain she couldn't possibly have heard anything.
21:37Raymond mobilized the entire Marino family network across North America.
21:41Ports, airports, train stations.
21:43There was no news of me anywhere.
21:44He couldn't even find any activity in my bank accounts or credit cards.
21:48An entire night passed.
21:49And they had nothing.
21:50He couldn't understand how I could have vanished into thin air without a single warning.
21:54Unless a more powerful force was helping Camilla cover her tracks.
21:57Suddenly, a thought struck him.
21:59Could Lola have?
22:00Before he could finish, his consigliere, Giuseppe, strode in from outside.
22:04He held up a clear plastic bag containing a shattered phone.
22:07Don, we found this on 5th Avenue.
22:10It's the Donna's phone.
22:12The tech department says they might be able to recover the data.
22:15Raymond took the bag, his hands shaking.
22:17Camilla would never damage her own things without a reason.
22:20Fix this damn thing now!
22:21I want answers!
22:2320 minutes later, a technician handed the repaired phone to Raymond.
22:26The screen lit up, displaying the last few text messages.
22:29The first was the picture of the ultrasound report Lola had sent me.
22:32The second was the photo of him, gently cradling Lola's slightly swollen belly,
22:36his head bowed to kiss it reverently.
22:38And then there was Lola's arrogant taunt.
22:40Sister, the doctor said it's a boy.
22:42I'm carrying the Merino air.
22:44That arrogant text, I later learned, was all it took.
22:47In an instant, Raymond understood everything.
22:49He knew, it was Lola's taunts that had driven me away.
22:53A volcanic rage erupted from his chest.
22:55My only regret was that I wasn't there to witness what happened next.
22:58Later, through various channels,
23:00I pieced together the full picture of that bloody night.
23:02They said Raymond drove like a madman to the secret estate where Lola was staying.
23:06When Lola opened the door and saw him,
23:08her face lit up with joy, assuming he had finally cast me aside for good.
23:11She was lost in a beautiful dream of becoming the next Donna of the Merino family.
23:15Raymond, are you here to take me home?
23:17I'll pack my things and go with you right now.
23:20I knew you couldn't bear to be without me and our baby.
23:25The words had barely left her mouth when a sharp slap cracked across her face,
23:29and Raymond grabbed her.
23:30His face was as dark as the depths of hell, and he radiated pure, murderous rage.
23:36Lola, who do you think you are to go telling Camilla about us?
23:40Lola clutched her face, staring at him in disbelief.
23:42She stumbled back a few steps, nearly falling, a cold sweat breaking out on her skin.
23:47She knew how deep Raymond's feelings for me ran.
23:49She had always been content to be the mistress who stayed in the shadows.
23:52But since becoming pregnant, her ambition had swollen.
23:55After all, who wouldn't want to be the official Donna of the family?
23:59She had been far too arrogant, and that's why she had taken the risk of sending me those taunting texts.
24:03But her plan was already unraveling.
24:05She knew me well enough to know that once I learned the truth, I would leave without a second thought.
24:09And then, she thought everything would be hers.
24:12But she never imagined Raymond would see the messages she'd sent.
24:15Of course, she wasn't stupid enough to admit it now.
24:18She just shook her head, feigning composure.
24:20Raymond, what are you talking about? I don't understand.
24:23I just want to be with you.
24:24I never dreamed of competing with my sister for her position,
24:28and I would never send her a message like that.
24:30There has to be a misunderstanding.
24:32Misunderstood what exactly?
24:33That you sent her the photos, or that you arrogantly told her you were carrying the air?
24:38If he hadn't seen those texts, Raymond might have believed her.
24:41But now, those glaring words replayed in his mind,
24:44and the murderous glint in his eyes intensified at her excuses.
24:47He threw the phone at her feet.
24:49The screen showed the very messages Lola had sent.
24:51Seeing the evidence before her, Lola could no longer deny it.
24:54She choked back a sob and grabbed Raymond's arm, trying to explain.
24:58I know I shouldn't have done it,
24:59but I couldn't bear the thought of our child growing up with the stigma of being illegitimate.
25:04Could you really stand while your own blood is pointed at and whispered about?
25:08Illegitimate.
25:09He's not just illegitimate.
25:10He's a bastard.
25:12I warned you,
25:14the position of Donna belongs to Camilla and Camilla alone.
25:16You will never be worthy.
25:19I only kept you around as a distraction.
25:22How could you ever compare to Camilla's place in my heart?
25:25If you had just behaved and stayed my little cannery,
25:28I would have given you and the child enough money to live out your lives after he was born.
25:32But since you broke my rules, don't blame me for what happens next.
25:35Raymond pulled a document from his pocket.
25:37It was a DNA test report.
25:39Probability of paternity, 0%.
25:41The moment Lola saw the report, her face went ashen.
25:44She stammered, collapsing to the floor.
25:46How, how is this possible?
25:51Raymond, I can explain.
25:53Explain how you passed off another man's bastard as the heir to the Marino family?
25:58You not only betrayed me, but you also tried to betray my family.
26:02It's not true.
26:03The test must be wrong.
26:05Wrong?
26:06The results were all identical.
26:08And you know what the sickest joke of all is?
26:10He crouched down and tilted her chin up with his fingers.
26:16I lost the only woman who ever mattered in my life.
26:19I wanted to.
26:20Over a bastard that wasn't even mine.
26:22Lola knew there was no arguing.
26:24Then she snapped.
26:26Raymond, you're a fool!
26:28That's right.
26:29This child has nothing to do with you, but it was enough to make my sister believe it, wasn't it?
26:33The one who drove her away was never me.
26:35It was you.
26:36You'll never get her back, and she will never forgive you.
26:40Hearing the word to leave, Raymond's eyes went bloodshot.
26:42You're lying!
26:44Camilla will come back!
26:46All I have to do is apologize, and she'll forgive me!
26:49He turned and yelled toward the door.
26:53Vincenzo!
26:54Get in here!
26:56Get rid of her and the bastard in her belly.
27:00Do it cleanly.
27:02I don't want to hear another word about them.
27:05Ever.
27:06Lola never imagined he could be so utterly merciless.
27:09Her pleas grew more frantic and shrill.
27:11But Raymond didn't spare her a single glance.
27:13After eliminating the woman who betrayed his family, Raymond once again threw all his energy into finding me.
27:18But whether he used his informants inside the FBI or activated the entire East Coast Underworld Intelligence Network,
27:24he couldn't find a single trace of me.
27:26Even his contacts within the federal government said there were no records of me.
27:29It was as if I had been completely erased from the world.
27:32Impossible.
27:32Raymond slammed his fist on the table, shattering the table.
27:37How can a living person just vanish into thin air?
27:40It was then that Raymond remembered the question I had asked him on our anniversary night.
27:45Then let my punishment be that I can never find you again.
27:48Now, his words had come back to haunt him, a cruel, self-fulfilling prophecy.
27:53He suddenly remembered the exquisite box I had given him before I left, telling him to open it two days
27:57later, on the very day I disappeared.
27:59My disappearance had been so jarring that he had completely forgotten about it until now.
28:03A sliver of hope rose in his despair.
28:05Maybe the box held a clue to my whereabouts.
28:07Maybe I just wanted to teach him a lesson and was waiting somewhere for him to repent.
28:11He carefully retrieved the velvet box, his hands trembling as he slowly opened it.
28:15Inside, a single ring lay on the velvet.
28:17It was the signet ring that symbolized the alliance of our two families, the very symbol of my status as
28:22Donna.
28:23Beside it lay a set of divorce papers.
28:25My signature was on the dotted line.
28:26In that moment, the last shred of his delusion shattered completely.
28:30He finally understood.
28:32This time, I was determined to leave for good.
28:34A tide of regret washed over him, threatening to drown him.
28:37Why had he ever touched that damned little whore, Lola?
28:40He had simply felt that after seven years with only me, his life as a Don had grown stale.
28:44And every time he attended a gathering of the families, he saw the other Dons with their various canaries, and
28:49in a moment of weakness, he had gotten entangled with that little tramp.
28:52But he had never thought of abandoning me.
28:54In his heart, I was his only queen, his only Donna.
28:57He never imagined that a simple craving for a forbidden thrill would destroy seven years of marriage and cost him
29:02the most precious woman in his life.
29:04Don, we found a lead.
29:07Donna's professional credentials were transferred to an international medical research institution.
29:11What institute?
29:12A top teen global medical research lab.
29:15They have numerous classified projects and are protected by several international foundations.
29:19Antonio handed him a report.
29:20Raymond took the report.
29:22His expression growing darker the more he read.
29:24Completely closed off, with zero contact with the outside world.
29:27For Camilla, he would go to the moon if he had to, no matter the cost.
29:31Meanwhile, in the lab, I was swamped.
29:33After marrying Raymond, I hadn't touched any lab equipment for years, and my skills had grown rusty.
29:39Unwilling to disappoint my mentor, who had such high hopes for me, I spent more than 12 hours a day
29:43in the lab.
29:43The high-intensity research work consumed all my time, leaving me no spare energy to think about that bloody, sinful
29:49world of the mafia.
29:50My colleagues were dedicated, all of us striving toward the noble goal of conquering terminal diseases.
29:55There was only academic collaboration between us.
29:57No betrayal or deceit.
29:59Without my noticing, six months flew by.
30:01The first phase of our experiment finally had a breakthrough, and everyone was ecstatic.
30:06Just as we were preparing to celebrate, the voice of the director came over the intercom.
30:10All core researchers, report to the meeting room.
30:12We have an important new donor to introduce.
30:14I walked into the conference room in my white lab coat.
30:17I never expected that the face appearing on the large video screen would be the one I never wanted to
30:21see again.
30:22Raymond Marino.
30:23The mafia don I once loved deeply, but now wish to erase completely from my memory.
30:27The lab's director seated Raymond at the head of the table, introducing the philanthropic investor to everyone.
30:32Only then did I learn that this mafia don had laundered nearly half of his family's illegal assets and poured
30:37it all into our medical research project.
30:38All for the price of admission into this top-secret program.
30:41I forced myself to remain calm, staring at the screen with a blank expression.
30:45Mr. Marino has brought us the largest single donation in the history of our research program.
30:53Warm applause filled the room.
30:54My colleagues were thrilled by the massive influx of capital.
30:57His funding will accelerate our breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
31:03I hope you'll all join us for a welcome dinner tonight.
31:06I wore a simple white shirt and black trousers, my hair tied back in a casual ponytail.
31:10I was a stark contrast to the other women in their evening gowns.
31:14Raymond stood in the center of the dining hall, dressed in a custom-tailored, deep blue suit.
31:18He was thinner, his eaves sunken, but those dark green eyes were as sharp as ever.
31:22Throughout the meal, I ignored his existence completely, focusing on discussing research progress with my colleagues.
31:27But I could feel his intense gaze on me, as persistent and heavy as a shadow.
31:31After dinner, I walked quickly toward the dormitory area, only to be stopped at a corner in the hallway.
31:36Raymond stood before me, escorted by two men in black suits.
31:39I had known this moment would come.
31:41I turned to face the eyes I had once loved and now loathed, my voice as cold as ice.
31:46What are you doing here?
31:48Raymond's eyes looked like they wanted to devour me, as if he was terrified I would vanish from his sight
31:52again.
31:53Look, do you know what it took to find you?
31:56Six months, I sold half of the family's assets and donated billions just to get through that door.
32:01Why didn't you tell me when you left?
32:03I went crazy looking for you.
32:05I used the entire power of North America.
32:08I am no longer Camilla Marino, nor your wife.
32:11You have no claim to me.
32:13You have a family to attend to, and a new wife to find.
32:16Seeing my indifferent expression, Raymond's own expression twisted with an emotion he couldn't control.
32:21His voice was hoarse.
32:23I know I was wrong.
32:24I never should have touched that bitch who betrayed our family.
32:27I took care of Lola and the bastard.
32:29They're gone.
32:30Come home with me Camilla.
32:32Come back to where you belong.
32:33Hearing him describe the disposal of my sister so casually, a chill shot through me.
32:37This man's cold-bloodedness was beyond my imagination.
32:40Now, I even wonder if I had ever truly known him during our seven years of marriage.
32:44From the moment you betrayed me, we were over.
32:49I don't know how you found me, but changing my identity and dropping off the face of the earth wasn't
32:55clear enough?
32:57I never want to be involved in your world again.
33:00Raymond paused, his voice taking on a humility I had never heard before.
33:04But I know I was wrong just that once.
33:07I swear.
33:12Forgive me.
33:14I swear there will never be another woman in my life but you.
33:18Infidelity is never a mistake, but a choice.
33:20And I will never tolerate betrayal, not even once.
33:23In my ass, you have long been dead.
33:25Besides, there is now a blood debt between.
33:27No matter how unbearable Lola is, she is my sister.
33:30You killed her, and I will never forgive the shashar.
33:32Raymond's face went white as a sheet, as if my words had struck him in the heart.
33:36Raymond tried to explain.
33:38The baby.
33:38I don't want to hear it.
33:40Just then, a security guard stepped forward.
33:45Sir, this is a core risk area.
33:47This is a research search area.
33:48You must leave immediately.
33:50I breathed a sigh of relief and turned toward my room.
33:53Just as I was about to close the door, a cry, thick with anguish, came from behind me.
33:59Camilla, if I didn't touch her, if I stopped when I should have, would you have stayed?
34:05My steps faltered.
34:06I didn't turn back.
34:07I didn't answer.
34:09I shut the door, sealing myself off from that world of sin.
34:12After all, in this world, there is no what-ifs.
34:15And I had already found my own path.
34:16I was about to close the door, I was about to close the door.
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