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Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:01At the gala in Palermo, I stood in a row with 12 other heiresses, waiting to be chosen.
00:06One flower, one night, one chance.
00:09As Don Earl's Bastarda, I had no room to fail.
00:12Lorenzo Rossi, heir of the Rossi family, was my childhood friend.
00:16He was the only man who'd agreed to protect me, and he had promised me the white lily.
00:20We'd made the deal just yesterday, three years of cover.
00:23Then he could love whoever he wanted.
00:25Yesterday, he'd said yes.
00:26Tonight, at the last second, he smiled and handed the flower to the girl beside me, Mia, the scholarship student
00:32he'd been sponsoring.
00:34Her hands were shaking as she took it.
00:35Let Mia have the spotlight today, Elena.
00:39The poor thing has never known happiness.
00:42Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will dare arrange your marriage.
00:46I looked at him. He was already turning away, placing Mia's hand on his arm.
00:50Mia is elegant and noble.
00:54She is worthy of this honor.
00:57Noble.
00:58The word landed like a slap.
00:59Whispers rippled through the crowd.
01:01I stood empty-handed.
01:02The Don's bastard daughter publicly passed over for a stray.
01:06When the crowd dispersed, Lorenzo appeared at my side, wine glass in hand.
01:11These idiots.
01:12I told them to save you at least one flower.
01:17Do you know what tonight means?
01:19The white lily wasn't decoration.
01:21It was a marriage proposal between families.
01:24Without it, I had nothing.
01:25No protection.
01:26No choice.
01:27No way out of the arranged marriage Donna Earl had already planned for me in New York.
01:31Lorenzo was my only option.
01:33No other man here would choose the bastardha.
01:35And he'd just chosen someone else.
01:3818 years.
01:41He didn't answer.
01:43Behind him, Mia was smiling.
01:44The white lily in her hands, still perfect.
01:48Guilt flickered across Lorenzo's face.
01:51He sent Mia away.
01:53You're used to these events, Elena.
01:55But Mia's poor.
01:56This is her only shot to shine in her whole life.
02:02Just do me a favor.
02:07You can have your way any other day.
02:08Why today of all days?
02:10I stayed silent.
02:16Today's her graduation.
02:18After tonight, I can't sponsor her anymore.
02:23I promised her one unforgettable memory.
02:26Unforgettable for me, too.
02:28But it was too late.
02:30Lorenzo, do you understand what the gala...
02:33Mia returned before I could finish.
02:36Elena, did I ruin everything?
02:40Please don't blame Lorenzo.
02:42I begged him to...
02:44Enough, Elena.
02:46It's just a flower.
02:47I'll buy you another one.
02:49He reached into a nearby vase,
02:51pulled out a rose,
02:52and shoved it into my hand.
02:56Roses suit you better anyway.
02:58A lily isn't worth making a scene over.
03:00This isn't like you.
03:02The rose was dripping wet.
03:03Its thorns had been cut.
03:05Its stem snapped short, just like me.
03:07But the white lily meant honor.
03:09The wife of a don.
03:10A queen.
03:11The red rose meant mistress.
03:13A woman you kept in the shadows.
03:15An illegitimate bootlicker.
03:17Thinking she could marry the Rossi heir?
03:19Didn't you hear him say noble?
03:21Even a poor student ranks higher.
03:24Lorenzo silenced the woman with one look.
03:26But the words had already sunk in.
03:31Elena, I'm sorry.
03:33You've always had everything.
03:35I just wanted one night to feel special.
03:38Everything?
03:40I'm a bastard, Mia.
03:42Do you have any idea how the Maradi family treats me?
03:45The cake slipped from her hands and landed on her shoe.
03:47Her eyes filled with tears.
03:49Look, it's already done.
03:51Let her enjoy tonight.
03:54Come on.
03:55Let's get you cleaned up.
03:58You can head home if you want.
04:01Home?
04:01I didn't have one.
04:02As soon as Lorenzo left my side, someone closed in.
04:06Antonio Ricci, a reckless libertine from a rival crew, sidled up to me.
04:11You smell good, Elena Moretti.
04:14Without Lorenzo, I didn't even get basic respect.
04:17Lorenzo told me to give you a flower.
04:19I didn't.
04:20I told you before, stop chasing him and try me instead.
04:24But you never listened.
04:26How's it feel now?
04:28Humiliating, isn't it?
04:29Lorenzo had given him the task of delivering my flower?
04:32Knowing Antonio had been harassing me for months?
04:34Another betrayal.
04:35I only asked for three years.
04:37Three years to gain enough power to escape the Moretti family's grip.
04:41But Donna wanted me gone.
04:42She wouldn't even give me time to breathe.
04:45If it wasn't for that pretty face, she'd be nothing.
04:51Ritzy, did I not warn you?
04:53Don't touch my people.
04:56That's none of your business.
04:58Your people?
04:59You just picked the charity girl.
05:01What do you need Elena for?
05:03She's mine.
05:04That's all you need to know.
05:05Antonio spat and walked away.
05:07Lorenzo spun me around to face him.
05:10He touched you and you didn't fight back?
05:13Wasn't this your idea?
05:15Lorenzo, could I get some champagne?
05:19One's cold and stubborn.
05:20The other's bright and warm.
05:22Lorenzo's choice was easy.
05:23Tonight, you're the star.
05:25Whatever you want.
05:26We'll talk tomorrow.
05:27I'll come by your place.
05:30Tomorrow?
05:31I smiled coldly.
05:32Tomorrow, you'll have to come to New York to find me.
05:37Lorenzo left to greet the other Capos.
05:40And Mia walked back to me, holding a glass of wine.
05:43The timid scholarship girl was gone.
05:45In her place stood someone who'd tasted power.
05:49You have everything, Elena.
05:51Why do you need to take this one moment of glory from me?
05:57I should never have helped Lorenzo choose her for the scholarship.
06:02You grew up in luxury.
06:04I only wanted Lorenzo's protection for one night.
06:12You think I'm better off than you?
06:15My mother died early.
06:16Don Earl brought me back to the estate when I was little.
06:19Donna looked at me like she wanted me dead.
06:21My father had mistresses everywhere and didn't care about one more bastard daughter.
06:25I learned to read faces young.
06:27Without this face, I wouldn't have survived.
06:29I was trapped between two sides.
06:31I turned to Uncle Luca and begged him to train me, to back me up.
06:35Uncle Luca never smiled.
06:39Your father has 23 children.
06:43Why should I invest in a bastard who won't last?
06:46Because I have nothing to lose.
06:48I'll do what they won't.
06:50But the time wasn't right.
06:51Uncle Luca wouldn't help me either.
06:53They say Dante Vitale is ruthless.
06:55Anyone who crosses him gets crushed without mercy.
06:58The Morettis wanted his protection, but wouldn't sacrifice a legitimate daughter.
07:02So they chose me.
07:06Uncle Luca must know how the gala ended.
07:12Elena, do you think Lorenzo even knows what the gala means?
07:16I wasn't the type to dwell on emotions.
07:18I needed to find a way to stay.
07:21Do you know what tonight actually means?
07:23Sure, it's a matchmaking event, but it's just formality.
07:25Don't worry.
07:26I'll talk to the Morettis.
07:27No one's forcing you into marriage.
07:28Then can you get the lily back from Mia?
07:29I'll return it tomorrow.
07:30That's not good.
07:31It's already hers.
07:32That orchid had a rare golden edge.
07:34It couldn't be copied at all.
07:36Lorenzo, you know I won't clink on you.
07:38Why did you humiliate me tonight?
07:40Elena, no one else will take you.
07:42You're a Moretti bastard.
07:44Everyone Palermo knows you're mine.
07:45Elena, please don't fight with Lorenzo.
07:49Enough, Elena.
07:51Tomorrow, Mia goes back to her life.
07:54I left the gala and got into Uncle Luca's car.
07:57Accept your loss.
07:58Tomorrow you leave for New York.
08:02I'll come back.
08:04Back at the estate, Donna glanced at Uncle Luca, then at me.
08:08We've raised you for 18 years.
08:10Time to repay that.
08:12Tomorrow, you leave.
08:13Nothing in this house was mine.
08:15Not even the plane ticket.
08:16Uncle Luca said nothing and went to his room.
08:18I went to my small bedroom to pack.
08:20My half-sister Bianca leaned in the doorway, checking her nails.
08:25Mom told me to keep an eye on you.
08:28Don't take anything valuable.
08:30Not even tonight's gown.
08:33Oh, and Mom said Dante Vitale already in love with someone else.
08:38Good luck.
08:40I took off the gown in front of her and removed all the jewelry.
08:43Then I walked to the bathroom in my slip.
08:45Mia had posted a photo in Instagram.
08:47She was glowing, Lorenzo's arm around her.
08:50He was still wearing the cufflinks I'd given him.
08:52I left everything Lorenzo had ever given me behind.
08:55Before dawn, I was up.
08:57No goodbyes.
08:58I grabbed my backpack and headed to the airport.
09:00Security, boarding, everything went smoothly.
09:03As the plane taxied, I shut off my phone completely, cutting all ties to Palermo.
09:08Then the announcement came.
09:10Apologies, passengers.
09:12The Rossi family has purchased all available flights out of Plasso today.
09:15We are returning back.
09:18I stared out the window as the runway slowed back down.
09:24The plane came to a stop.
09:33My phone reconnected and messages flooded in.
09:37The announcement came again.
09:38Apologies for the inconvenience.
09:40To compensate, the Rossi family will refund your ticket at 10 times the price.
09:45Who do you think the Rossi family is looking for?
09:48Wow.
09:48This is so dramatic.
09:50Like a movie.
09:53I scrolled through my phone, exhausted.
09:56Lorenzo had gone to the Moretti estate early this morning looking for me.
09:59He saw the gown, the jewelry, everything I'd left behind.
10:04But my backpack was gone.
10:06He panicked.
10:07He demanded answers from the Morettis.
10:10Where did Elena go?
10:11Lorenzo lost it.
10:14He almost tore the estate apart.
10:16Then he started calling me.
10:17But by then, I was already on the plane.
10:20When Lorenzo realized I hadn't taken a single thing he'd ever given me, he snapped.
10:24I grabbed my backpack and got off the plane.
10:27It was early.
10:29I was starving.
10:31I found a small cafe and ordered pasta.
10:37Uncle Luca's message came through.
10:39Do you want to come back?
10:40Lorenzo still wants you.
10:43The Moretti family was built on schemes.
10:47Lorenzo might spoil me, but he'd never lose face for me.
10:51Going back meant more humiliation.
10:59Moving forward.
11:01Maybe there was a chance.
11:03I ate slowly, watching black-suited men flood the terminal.
11:07They grabbed every woman who looked like me, asking questions.
11:10Then Lorenzo rushed in, drenched in sweat.
11:15His phone pressed to his ear.
11:17He passed right by my table.
11:18He looked desperate, frantic.
11:22Calling my number over and over.
11:25My phone kept buzzing in my pocket.
11:27When no one answered, he almost smashed the phone in frustration.
11:32His men returned empty-handed.
11:35I'd never seen Lorenzo like this.
11:37Completely unraveled.
11:40Where is she?
11:41I don't care what it takes.
11:42No plane flies to New York today.
11:44I checked my phone.
11:47There was a flight to Milan in 20 minutes.
11:52I scrolled through the news while I waited.
11:55Palermo's tabloids were having a field day.
11:56The headlines screamed,
11:57Rossi airs new flame, but who's he hunting at the airport?
12:01Two women at the table behind me were gossiping loudly.
12:05God, that's so romantic.
12:08If someone did that for me, I'd say yes immediately.
12:11You don't get it.
12:12Last night at a gala, Lorenzo chose some scholarship girl.
12:17I bet.
12:18Bet he got scammed.
12:20Wait, he didn't pick a rich girl?
12:22He picked a charity chase?
12:24Then why is he freaking out today?
12:26I sipped my coffee, trying not to react.
12:29I'm guessing Lorenzo didn't realize giving the white loafs was a marriage proposal.
12:34The first girl said smugly,
12:35How do you know all this?
12:38Because I was at the gala last night.
12:40I froze.
12:42I glanced back, didn't recognize her.
12:45Lucky.
12:46So what does the rich girl look like?
12:51She's beautiful.
12:54Stunning, actually.
12:57Then why would Lorenzo give the lily to an outsider?
13:00The girl's voice turned sharp.
13:02Who cares?
13:03The other girl's just a bastard anyway.
13:06Not like us real heiresses.
13:08I coughed, and both women turned.
13:10The moment they saw my face, one of them gasped and pointed, unable to speak.
13:19What?
13:20Do you know her?
13:22The other girl stared at me, then whispered.
13:26Wait.
13:27Are you?
13:29I pressed a finger to my lips.
13:31Both women slapped their hands over their mouths.
13:33I stood up and left.
13:34As I walked away, I heard one of them shriek.
13:37You didn't tell me she looked like that!
13:40You have zero chance now!
13:42I am on my way to the boarding gate, and another refund notification hit my phone.
13:46The Rossi family had bought out every route out of Palermo.
13:49Even flights to other cities.
13:51I stood there, clutching my phone.
13:53Stuck.
13:54Then it rang.
13:54A New York number.
13:57Hello?
13:58Dante Vitale.
13:59The name of my arranged husband.
14:00His voice was cold, but strangely pleasant.
14:03The kind that made you want to keep listening.
14:05I'm sorry, I-
14:06My men are already at the airport.
14:07They'll bring you to me.
14:09Before I could explain that all the flights were grounded, I saw it.
14:12A private jet on the tarmac.
14:14Several men in black suits stepped off the plane, standing at attention.
14:17Understood.
14:19I hung up and walked toward the jet.
14:24It was drizzling.
14:25An umbrella appeared over my head.
14:27The moment I stepped outside, the man holding it kept his eyes down, respectful.
14:32Mrs. Vitale, we're here to bring you home.
14:34That's when Lorenzo spotted me.
14:36He sprinted toward me, grabbing my wrist.
14:39Elena, come with me.
14:41Vitale's men immediately surrounded me.
14:44Lorenzo's men closed in.
14:45The two groups faced off.
14:47Onlookers pulled out their phones, filming.
14:49The man leading Dante's crew was older, impeccably dressed, with the calm precision of a man who'd
14:55seen everything.
14:56He smiled politely, but his eyes were stone.
14:58Mr. Rossi, I'm here to escort Mrs. Vitale home.
15:02Please step aside.
15:04Lorenzo's gaze turned lethal.
15:05She hasn't left Palermo yet.
15:07I'd like to see who has the balls to take my woman.
15:11I felt exhausted.
15:12I'd tried to tell him several times, but his attention was always on Mia.
15:16Lorenzo, you've protected me for years.
15:19I'm grateful.
15:20But this is where it ends.
15:22I don't blame anyone.
15:24Don't blame anyone?
15:27Then come back with me.
15:29I'll marry you.
15:30I'll tell the Morettis myself.
15:32The rain fell harder.
15:34Lorenzo's hair was soaked.
15:35His eyes red.
15:36The Vitale butler stepped between us, unmoved.
15:39Apologies, Mr. Rossi, but the agreement with the Moretti family has been finalized.
15:44Mrs. Vitale leaves with us today.
15:46Lorenzo ignored him, staring only at me.
15:49I shook my head.
15:50Lorenzo, I told you.
15:52I only wanted three years.
15:53I have someone I truly like.
15:57I never planned to marry you.
15:59This again?
16:01Elena, you've been trapped in Morettis.
16:04Where would you even meet someone to love?
16:05I know calling you my shadow upset you.
16:08Stop being stubborn and come back with me.
16:10We'll talk there, okay?
16:12His tone had shifted, almost pleading now.
16:14I was grateful for his years of protection.
16:16But the moment Lorenzo let go of me and handed that flower to the scholarship girl,
16:21it meant we could no longer walk together.
16:25Lorenzo, Mia is your fiancé.
16:27All of Palermo saw it.
16:29You two should be happy together.
16:31Marry a scholarship girl?
16:33He laughed bitterly.
16:34Are you serious?
16:35I'd marry you before I'd ever marry her.
16:38My expression went cold.
16:40Lorenzo had always liked me, but he'd never respected me.
16:43This time, I didn't hesitate.
16:45I turned and walked toward the jet with the butler.
16:48Lorenzo stood frozen, his fists clenched, fury radiating off him.
16:53Elena!
16:54You leave Palermo, and no one will protect you anymore.
16:59Think carefully.
17:00Once you're gone, don't come back regretting it.
17:03I didn't answer.
17:05I stepped onto the plane.
17:06The butler had thoughtfully prepared a towel for me.
17:09He pointed to the washroom at the back of the plane, keeping his voice low.
17:12You can freshen up there, Mrs. Vitale.
17:15Getting caught in the rain, you'll catch cold.
17:18The jet was luxurious, clearly not a rental.
17:21This had to be the Vitale family's private plane.
17:24The Vitale family's power was on another level.
17:27Even the Morettis didn't own a private jet.
17:30The plane didn't just have a bathroom.
17:32It had a full bed.
17:33Strangely, the bedding was soft pink.
17:36Definitely not something Dante Vitale would choose for himself.
17:39In the bathroom, I changed into the prepared clothes.
17:42Another shock.
17:43The clothes fit me perfectly.
17:45When I came out, the butler had dismissed the guards to the back of the cabin.
17:48Excuse me, I asked.
17:50Does the Don usually use this plane?
17:52The butler saw my confusion.
17:54This plane was purchased specifically for you, Mrs. Vitale.
17:57Everything was customized to your preferences.
18:00The Don personally selected the bedding, the softest material available.
18:04My jaw nearly dropped.
18:06Something this extravagant?
18:07Casually given to a stranger?
18:09Wasn't he supposed to have someone he loved?
18:11The flight to New York is long.
18:13You should rest.
18:14So we've prepared a humidifier for you.
18:22No one had ever cared about my comfort before.
18:25I'd only ever learned to read other people's moods.
18:27This sudden concern made me restless.
18:30Fortunately, the butler noticed my discomfort and quietly withdrew.
18:33I pulled out a pen and started sketching notes, my mind full of worry about what lay ahead.
18:39The plane landed on a sprawling green estate.
18:41When I looked closer, I realized this was the Vitale compound.
18:45Even coming from a wealthy family, I'd never seen anything this lavish.
18:49Dante Vitale came to meet me personally, wearing a warm smile.
18:53Nothing like the cold, ruthless man from the rumors.
18:56He draped a coat over my shoulders.
18:58His voice was smooth and pleasant.
19:00Are you cold?
19:01I shivered slightly and stepped back, putting some distance between us.
19:05Mr. Vitale, I know you have someone you love.
19:09I know marrying me was forced on you.
19:11Don't worry.
19:12I only need three years.
19:14I won't keep you from the woman you love for long.
19:17His brow furrowed, looking puzzled.
19:19Someone I love?
19:21Three years?
19:22Yes.
19:23For three years, I'll play the role of your wife.
19:26I won't interfere with your private life.
19:29After three years, we separate.
19:31I won't take a cent from you.
19:33I can sign an agreement.
19:34His frown deepened.
19:36He looked sharply toward the butler.
19:38When he got no response, he stepped closer and pulled me gently into his arms.
19:42My face flushed completely red.
19:44Who said we were going to keep things this separate?
19:47My wife?
19:48Seeing me embarrassed seemed to improve his mood.
19:50He lifted my chin, leaning closer.
19:53Everything I have is yours, my wife.
19:55Even after we went inside, I still hadn't recovered from the shock.
19:58Wasn't this man supposed to be cold and ruthless?
20:01Dante's home was all sharp lines and clean edges.
20:04But there were touches of color, soft furnishings that had clearly been added recently.
20:09The aesthetic was good, the pieces carefully chosen.
20:11They didn't clash.
20:13Instead, they made the space feel comfortable.
20:15I sat on the couch.
20:16I handed him a folded paper.
20:18This is my plan.
20:20I'd like to borrow some money.
20:22I'll pay you back in installments.
20:24He pulled the paper from my hand and scanned it.
20:28You need money?
20:30It was humiliating.
20:31Arriving with nothing.
20:32No dowry.
20:33Nothing of value.
20:34For the Vitalis, this had to look like disrespect.
20:37I'd done my research before landing.
20:39The Vitali family didn't need alliances.
20:41They didn't need anyone's support.
20:43They stood alone at the top.
20:44People lined up from New York to Palermo just to ask them for favors.
20:48I still didn't understand why they'd agreed to this marriage with the Morettis.
20:51Yes, I don't have money, but I promise I have a way to pay you back.
20:59He didn't question me.
21:00Instead, his hand closed around mine, warm against my cold fingers, and he rubbed gently.
21:05My face flushed again.
21:07His mood seemed to improve.
21:09Why do you need money?
21:10I looked up sharply, suddenly realizing, maybe as Mrs. Vitali, I wasn't supposed to have financial control.
21:16Maybe I was expected to live off an allowance?
21:19To ask permission for spending money, I straightened, meeting his eyes.
21:23Mr. Vitali, I don't want to be trapped by the Moretti family.
21:27And I won't be live as a housewife, asking for handouts.
21:31I want my own career.
21:33If possible, I want to take back what belongs to me from the Morettis.
21:37Dante looked surprised that I'd spoken so openly.
21:39He reached up and ruffled my hair affectionately.
21:43Everything the vitals have is yours.
21:45Before I could process that, he gestured to the butler,
21:48who brought over a black card.
21:49This is my account.
21:50Spend whatever you want.
21:53The room Dante gave me was the best in the entire compound.
21:57Sunlight flooded through the windows.
21:59The decor was soft, feminine, like something out of a princess's quarters.
22:03For someone who'd been an outsider in the Moretti house my whole life,
22:06it was almost unbelievable.
22:08I slept well for the first time in years.
22:10The next morning, I woke to a message from Uncle Luca.
22:14Lorenzo is furious.
22:15Why didn't you come back with him?
22:17Uncle Luca was the only one in the Moretti family who'd ever protected me,
22:21but his protection always came with strings attached.
22:24Uncle, I'm a person, not a pet you can call whenever you want.
22:28Really?
22:29I thought you'd already turned yourself into a weapon for revenge.
22:34Three years.
22:34I borrowed $100,000 from the Vitales.
22:38I did everything a Don's wife was supposed to do.
22:40I attended galas with Dante.
22:42Smiled for the cameras.
22:43Let people court my favor.
22:45I played the role of the beautiful trophy wife.
22:48Even though Dante spoiled me endlessly, I never forgot my place.
22:51But in those three years, I used that $100,000 to leverage resources in Palermo.
22:56I dismantled Moretti operations piece by piece.
23:00Pulled their best men and capos into my own network.
23:03Don Earl finally saw the truth.
23:05His 23 children were useless.
23:08The second generation of Morettis panicked.
23:11Afraid the family's collapse would hurt their shares of the casinos and territories,
23:14they started selling off their assets.
23:16I bought them all.
23:17One by one, I took control of their gambling operations, their shipping routes.
23:22I flipped operations that were bleeding money into profitable enterprises.
23:26Expanded territories they'd neglected.
23:28By the time Don Earl realized what was happening,
23:30I controlled more of the family's income streams than he did.
23:33The other Moretti heirs couldn't compete with me anymore.
23:36It was 10 at night when I came home.
23:38Dante was sitting in the warm glow of the living room, waiting for me.
23:42My chest tightened.
23:43I walked over and wrapped my arms around his shoulders from behind.
23:47I held him for a long moment.
23:48Then I let go and stepped back, composed again.
23:53Why are you back so late?
23:55He asked quietly.
23:56Are you tired?
23:57I had soup made for you.
23:59The words I'd been planning to say stuck in my throat.
24:01He took my hand and led me to the table, watching as I drank the soup.
24:08When are you going to let yourself depend on me?
24:10You don't have to exhaust yourself like this.
24:12I felt warmth spread through me.
24:14Looking at him in the soft light, I felt a pang of guilt.
24:17The three years are up.
24:19It's time for me to go back to Morettis.
24:22Dante had known all along that I hadn't truly given up on my plans.
24:25His expression showed no surprise.
24:30You don't like this from what I understand.
24:31Only Luca has been good to you.
24:32And that Lorenz, I heard he's come to New York several times looking for you.
24:35But you never saw him.
24:37I was surprised he knew and.
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