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From Outcast to Mafia Queen #englishsub
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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.
01:03The 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.
01:18Do 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 Bastarda.
01:35And he'd just chosen someone else.
01:38Eighteen 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.
01:52You'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, just do me a favor.
02:07You can have your way any other day.
02:09Why 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.
02:35Elena, 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.
03:01This isn't like you.
03:02The rose was dripping wet.
03:03Its thorns had been cut.
03:05Its stem snapped short.
03:06Just 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.
03:14An illegitimate bootlicker thinking 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 Marotti family treats me?
03:45The cake slipped from her hands and landed on her shoe.
03:48Her 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, you'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?
05:58I 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.
06:11Luxury?
06:13You think I'm better off than you?
06:14My mother died early.
06:16Dawn 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.
06:34To back me up.
06:35Uncle Luca never smiled.
06:40Your 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.
07:00But wouldn't sacrifice a legitimate daughter.
07:02So they chose me.
07:06Uncle Luca must know how the gala ended.
07:11Elena.
07:12Do 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.
07:24But 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.
07:32It's already hers.
07:32That orchid had a rare golden edge.
07:35It couldn't be copied at all.
07:37Lorenzo, you know I won't clink on you.
07:38Why did you humiliate me tonight?
07:40Elena.
07:41No one else will take you.
07:42You're a Moretti bastard.
07:44Everyone Palermo knows you're mine.
07:46Elena.
07:46Elena, 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,
08:05Donna glanced at Uncle Luca,
08:07then 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,
08:23checking 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
08:35already in love with someone else.
08:38Good luck.
08:40I took off the gown in front of her
08:42and 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.
08:49Lorenzo'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.
09:01Boarding.
09:02Everything went smoothly.
09:03As the plane taxied,
09:05I shut off my phone completely,
09:06cutting all ties to Palermo.
09:08Then the announcement came.
09:10Apologies, passengers.
09:12The Rossi family has purchased
09:13all available flights out of Plaso today.
09:15We are returning back.
09:18I stared out the window
09:19as the runway slowed back down.
09:24The plane came to a stop.
09:33My phone reconnected
09:35and messages flooded in.
09:37The announcement came again.
09:39Apologies for the inconvenience.
09:41To compensate,
09:42the Rossi family will refund your ticket
09:44at ten times the price.
09:45Who do you think the Rossi family is looking for?
09:48Wow.
09:49This is so dramatic.
09:50Like a movie.
09:52I scrolled through my phone,
09:54exhausted.
09:56Lorenzo had gone to the Moretti estate
09:57early this morning looking for me.
09:59He saw the gown,
10:01the jewelry,
10:03everything 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,
10:18I was already on the plane.
10:20When Lorenzo realized
10:21I hadn't taken a single thing
10:22he'd ever given me,
10:23he snapped.
10:24I grabbed my backpack
10:25and got off the plane.
10:27It was early.
10:29I was starving.
10:31I found a small cafe
10:33and ordered pasta.
10:37Uncle Luca's message came through.
10:39Do you want to come back?
10:41Lorenzo still wants you.
10:44The Moretti family
10:45was built on schemes.
10:47Lorenzo might spoil me,
10:48but 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,
11:05watching black-suited men
11:06flood the terminal.
11:08They grabbed every woman
11:09who looked like me,
11:10asking questions.
11:10Then Lorenzo rushed in,
11:12drenched in sweat.
11:15His phone pressed to his ear.
11:17He passed right by my table.
11:18He looked desperate,
11:20frantic,
11:22calling my number
11:23over and over.
11:25My phone kept buzzing
11:26in my pocket.
11:27When no one answered,
11:29he almost smashed the phone
11:30in frustration.
11:32His men returned empty-handed.
11:35I'd never seen Lorenzo like this,
11:37completely unraveled.
11:39Where is she?
11:41I don't care what it takes.
11:43No plane flies to New York today.
11:45I checked my phone.
11:47There was a flight to Milan
11:48in 20 minutes.
11:52I scrolled through the news
11:53while I waited.
11:55Palermo's tabloids
11:55were having a field day.
11:56The headlines screamed,
11:58Rossi Air's new flame,
11:59but who's he hunting
12:00at the airport?
12:01Two women at the table
12:02behind me
12:02were gossiping loudly.
12:05God, that's so romantic.
12:08If someone did that for me,
12:09I'd say yes immediately.
12:11You don't get it.
12:13Last night at a gala,
12:14Lorenzo chose
12:15some scholarship for me.
12:17I bet.
12:18Bet he got scammed.
12:20Wait,
12:20he didn't pick a rich girl?
12:22He picked a charity chase?
12:24Then why is he
12:25freaking out today?
12:26I sipped my coffee,
12:28trying not to react.
12:30I'm guessing Lorenzo
12:31didn't realize
12:31giving the white lowest
12:32was a marriage proposal.
12:33The first girl
12:34said smugly,
12:35How do you know all this?
12:38Because I was
12:39at the gala last night.
12:41I froze.
12:42I glanced back,
12:43didn't recognize her.
12:45Lucky.
12:46So what does
12:47the rich girl look like?
12:51She's beautiful.
12:54Stunning, actually.
12:57Then why would Lorenzo
12:59give the lily
12:59to an outsider?
13:00The girl's voice
13:01turned sharp.
13:02Who cares?
13:03The other girl's
13:04just a bastard anyway.
13:06Not like us real heiresses.
13:08I coughed,
13:08and both women turned.
13:10The moment they saw my face,
13:12one of them
13:12gasped and pointed,
13:14unable to speak.
13:19What?
13:22The other girl stared at me,
13:24then whispered,
13:25whispered,
13:26wait,
13:27are you?
13:29I pressed a finger
13:30to my lips.
13:31Both women slapped their hands
13:32over their mouths.
13:33I stood up and left.
13:34As I walked away,
13:36I heard one of them
13:36shriek.
13:37You didn't tell me
13:38she looked like that!
13:39You have zero chance now!
13:42I am on my way
13:42to the boarding gate,
13:43and another refund notification
13:45hit my phone.
13:46The Rossi family
13:47had bought out
13:48every route out of Palermo,
13:49even flights to other cities.
13:51I stood there,
13:52clutching my phone,
13:53stuck.
13:54Then it rang,
13:54a New York number.
13:57Hello?
13:58Dante Vitale.
13:59The name of my
13:59arranged husband.
14:00His voice was cold,
14:02but strangely pleasant,
14:03the kind that made you
14:04want to keep listening.
14:05I'm sorry, I-
14:06My men are already
14:06at the airport.
14:07They'll bring you to me.
14:09Before I could explain
14:09that all the flights
14:10were grounded,
14:11I saw it,
14:12a private jet
14:13on the tarmac.
14:14Several men in black suits
14:15stepped off the plane,
14:16standing at attention.
14:18Understood.
14:19I hung up
14:20and walked toward the jet.
14:24It was drizzling.
14:25An umbrella
14:26appeared over my head.
14:27The moment
14:28I stepped outside.
14:29The man holding it
14:30kept his eyes down,
14:31respectful.
14:32Mrs. Vitale,
14:33we're here to bring you home.
14:35That's when Lorenzo
14:36spotted me.
14:36He sprinted toward me,
14:38grabbing my wrist.
14:39Elena,
14:40come with me.
14:41Vitale's men
14:42immediately surrounded me.
14:44Lorenzo's men
14:44closed in.
14:45The two groups
14:46faced off.
14:47Onlookers
14:48pulled out their phones,
14:49filming.
14:49The man leading Dante's crew
14:51was older,
14:52impeccably dressed,
14:53with the calm precision
14:54of a man
14:54who'd seen everything.
14:56He smiled politely,
14:57but his eyes
14:58were stoned.
14:59Mr. Rossi,
15:00I'm here to escort
15:01Mrs. Vitale home.
15:02Please step aside.
15:04Lorenzo's gaze
15:04turned lethal.
15:05She hasn't left
15:06Palermo yet.
15:07I'd like to see
15:08who has the balls
15:09to take my woman.
15:11I felt exhausted.
15:12I'd tried to tell him
15:13several times,
15:14but his attention
15:14was always on Mia.
15:16Lorenzo,
15:17you've protected me
15:18for years.
15:19I'm grateful,
15:20but this is where
15:21it 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
15:34was soaked.
15:35His eyes red.
15:36The Vitale butler
15:37stepped between us,
15:39unmoved.
15:39Apologies,
15:40Mr. Rossi,
15:41but the agreement
15:42with the Moretti family
15:43has been finalized.
15:44Mrs. Vitale
15:45leaves with us today.
15:47Lorenzo ignored him,
15:48staring only at me.
15:49I shook my head.
15:50Lorenzo,
15:51I told you.
15:52I only wanted three years.
15:54I have someone
15:55I truly like.
15:57I never planned
15:58to marry you.
15:59This again?
16:01Elena,
16:02you've been trapped
16:03in Morettis.
16:04Where would you even
16:04meet someone to love?
16:06I know calling you
16:06my shadow upset you.
16:08Stop being stubborn
16:09and come back with me.
16:10We'll talk there, okay?
16:12His tone had shifted,
16:13almost pleading now.
16:14I was grateful
16:15for his years of protection,
16:16but the moment Lorenzo
16:18let go of me
16:18and handed that flower
16:20to the scholarship girl,
16:21it meant we could
16:22no longer walk together.
16:24Lorenzo,
16:25Mia is your fianc茅.
16:27All of Palermo saw it.
16:29You two should be
16:29happy together.
16:31Marry a scholarship girl?
16:33He laughed bitterly.
16:34Are you serious?
16:35I'd marry you
16:36before I'd ever marry her.
16:38My expression went cold.
16:40Lorenzo had always liked me,
16:41but he'd never respected me.
16:43This time,
16:44I didn't hesitate.
16:45I turned and walked
16:46toward the jet
16:47with the butler.
16:48Lorenzo stood frozen,
16:49his fists clenched,
16:51fury radiating off him.
16:53Elena!
16:54You leave Palermo
16:56and no one
16:57will protect you anymore.
16:59Think carefully.
17:00Once you're gone,
17:02don't come back
17:03regretting it.
17:04I didn't answer.
17:05I stepped onto the plane.
17:06The butler had thoughtfully
17:08prepared a towel for me.
17:09He pointed to the washroom
17:10at the back of the plane,
17:11keeping his voice low.
17:13You can freshen up there,
17:14Mrs. Vitari.
17:15Getting caught in the rain,
17:16you'll catch cold.
17:18The jet was luxurious,
17:20clearly not a rental.
17:21This had to be
17:22the Vitale family's
17:23private plane.
17:24The Vitale family's power
17:26was on another level.
17:27Even the Morettis
17:28didn't own a private jet.
17:30The plane didn't just
17:31have a bathroom,
17:32it had a full bed.
17:33Strangely,
17:34the bedding was
17:35soft pink,
17:36definitely not something
17:37Dante Vitale
17:38would choose for himself.
17:39In the bathroom,
17:40I changed into
17:41the prepared clothes.
17:42Another shock.
17:43The clothes fit me perfectly.
17:44When I came out,
17:46the butler had dismissed
17:47the guards to the back
17:47of the cabin.
17:48Excuse me,
17:49I asked.
17:50Does the Don usually
17:51use this plane?
17:52The butler saw my confusion.
17:54This plane was purchased
17:55specifically for you,
17:56Mrs. Vitale.
17:57Everything was customized
17:58to your preferences.
18:00The Don personally
18:01selected the bedding,
18:02the 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
18:10someone he loved?
18:11The flight to New York
18:12is long.
18:13You should rest.
18:14So we've prepared
18:15a humidifier for you.
18:22No one had ever cared
18:24about my comfort before.
18:25I'd only ever learned
18:26to read other people's moods.
18:27This sudden concern
18:28made me restless.
18:30Fortunately,
18:30the butler noticed
18:31my discomfort
18:32and quietly withdrew.
18:33I pulled out a pen
18:34and started sketching notes,
18:36my mind full of worry
18:37about what lay ahead.
18:39The plane landed
18:39on a sprawling green estate.
18:41When I looked closer,
18:42I realized
18:43this was the Vitale compound.
18:45Even coming from
18:46a wealthy family,
18:46I'd never seen anything
18:48this lavish.
18:49Dante Vitale came
18:50to meet me personally,
18:52wearing a warm smile.
18:53Nothing like the cold,
18:54ruthless man
18:55from the rumors.
18:56He draped a coat
18:57over my shoulders.
18:58His voice was smooth
18:59and pleasant.
19:00Are you cold?
19:01I shivered slightly
19:02and stepped back,
19:03putting some distance
19:04between us.
19:05Mr. Vitale,
19:07I know you have
19:08someone you love.
19:09I know marrying me
19:10was forced on you.
19:11Don't worry.
19:12I only need three years.
19:14I won't keep you
19:15from the woman
19:16you love for long.
19:17His brow furrowed,
19:18looking puzzled.
19:19Someone I love?
19:21Three years?
19:22Yes.
19:23For three years,
19:24I'll play the role
19:25of your wife.
19:26I won't interfere
19:27with your private life.
19:29After three years,
19:30we separate.
19:31I won't take a cent
19:32from you.
19:33I can sign an agreement.
19:35His frown deepened.
19:36He looked sharply
19:37toward the butler.
19:38When he got no response,
19:39he stepped closer
19:40and pulled me gently
19:41into his arms.
19:42My face flushed
19:43completely red.
19:45Who said we were
19:45going to keep things
19:46this separate?
19:47My wife?
19:48Seeing me embarrassed
19:49seemed to improve
19:50his mood.
19:51He lifted my chin,
19:52leaning closer.
19:53Everything I have
19:54is yours, my wife.
19:55Even after we went inside,
19:56I still hadn't recovered
19:57from the shock.
19:58Wasn't this man
19:59supposed to be cold
20:00and ruthless?
20:01Dante's home
20:02was all sharp lines
20:03and clean edges.
20:04But there were
20:05touches of color,
20:06soft furnishings
20:07that had clearly
20:07been added recently.
20:09The aesthetic was good,
20:10the pieces carefully chosen.
20:11They didn't clash.
20:13Instead,
20:13they made the space
20:14feel comfortable.
20:15I sat on the couch.
20:16I handed him
20:17a folded paper.
20:18This is my plan.
20:20I'd like to borrow
20:21some money.
20:22I'll pay you back
20:23in installments.
20:24He pulled the paper
20:24from my hand
20:25and 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,
20:35this had to look like disrespect.
20:37I'd done my research
20:38before landing.
20:39The Vitali family
20:40didn't need alliances.
20:41They didn't need
20:42anyone's support.
20:43They stood alone
20:44at the top.
20:44People lined up
20:45from New York
20:46to Palermo
20:46just to ask them
20:47for favors.
20:48I still didn't understand
20:49why they'd agreed
20:50to this marriage
20:50with the Morettis.
20:52Yes,
20:53I don't have money,
20:55but I promise
20:57I have a way
20:58to pay you back.
20:59He didn't question me.
21:00Instead,
21:01his hand closed
21:02around mine,
21:02warm against my cold fingers,
21:04and he rubbed gently.
21:06My face flushed again.
21:07His mood
21:07seemed to improve.
21:09Why do you need money?
21:10I looked up sharply,
21:11suddenly realizing,
21:12maybe as Mrs. Vitali,
21:14I wasn't supposed
21:15to have financial control.
21:16Maybe I was expected
21:18to live off an allowance?
21:19To ask permission
21:20for spending money,
21:21I straightened,
21:22meeting his eyes.
21:23Mr. Vitali,
21:24I don't want to be trapped
21:26by the Moretti family,
21:27and I won't be live
21:28as a housewife
21:29asking for handouts.
21:31I want my own career.
21:33If possible,
21:34I want to take back
21:35what belongs to me
21:36from the Morettis.
21:37Dante looked surprised
21:38that I'd spoken so openly.
21:40He reached up
21:40and ruffled my hair
21:41affectionately.
21:43Everything the vitals
21:44have is yours.
21:45Before I could process that,
21:46he gestured to the butler,
21:48who brought over
21:48a black card.
21:49This is my account.
21:50Spend whatever you want.
21:53The room Dante gave me
21:55was the best
21:56in the entire compound.
21:57Sunlight flooded
21:58through the windows.
21:59The decor was soft,
22:01feminine,
22:01like something
22:02out of a princess's quarters.
22:03For someone
22:04who'd been an outsider
22:05in the Moretti house
22:06my whole life,
22:06it was almost unbelievable.
22:08I slept well
22:09for the first time
22:10in years.
22:11The next morning,
22:11I woke to a message
22:12from Uncle Luca.
22:14Lorenzo is furious.
22:15Why didn't you
22:16come back with him?
22:17Uncle Luca was the only one
22:18in the Moretti family
22:19who'd ever protected me,
22:21but his protection
22:21always came
22:22with strings attached.
22:24Uncle,
22:24I'm a person,
22:25not a pet you can call
22:26whenever you want.
22:28Really?
22:29I thought you'd already
22:31turned yourself
22:31into a weapon
22:32for revenge.
22:34Three years,
22:35I borrowed
22:35$100,000
22:36from the Vitales.
22:38I did everything
22:38a Don's wife
22:39was supposed to do.
22:40I attended galas
22:41with Dante,
22:42smiled for the cameras,
22:43let people court
22:44my favor.
22:45I played the role
22:46of the beautiful
22:47trophy wife.
22:48Even though Dante
22:48spoiled me endlessly,
22:50I never forgot my place.
22:51But in those three years,
22:53I used that $100,000
22:54to leverage resources
22:56in Palermo.
22:56I dismantled
22:57Moretti operations
22:58piece by piece,
23:00pulled their best men
23:01and capos
23:02into my own network.
23:03Don Earl
23:04finally saw the truth.
23:05His 23 children
23:07were useless.
23:08The second generation
23:09of Moretti
23:10panicked.
23:11Afraid the family's
23:11collapse would hurt
23:12their shares of the
23:13casinos and territories,
23:14they started selling
23:15off their assets.
23:16I bought them all.
23:17One by one,
23:18I took control
23:19of their gambling
23:20operations,
23:21their shipping routes.
23:22I flipped operations
23:23that were bleeding money
23:24into profitable enterprises,
23:26expanded territories
23:27they'd neglected.
23:28By the time Don Earl
23:29realized what was happening,
23:30I controlled more
23:31of the family's
23:32income streams
23:33than he did.
23:34The other Moretti heirs
23:35couldn't compete
23:35with me anymore.
23:36It was 10 at night
23:37when I came home.
23:38Dante was sitting
23:39in the warm glow
23:40of the living room,
23:41waiting for me.
23:42My chest tightened.
23:43I walked over
23:44and wrapped my arms
23:45around his shoulders
23:46from behind.
23:47I held him for a long moment,
23:48then I let go
23:49and stepped back,
23:50composed 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
23:59planning to say
24:00stuck in my throat.
24:01He took my hand
24:02and led me to the table,
24:03watching as I drank the soup.
24:08When are you going
24:09to let yourself
24:09depend on me?
24:10You don't have to
24:11exhaust yourself like this.
24:13I felt warmth
24:13spread through me.
24:14Looking at him
24:15in the soft light,
24:16I felt a pang of guilt.
24:17The three years are up.
24:19It's time for me
24:20to go back to Morettis.
24:22Dante had known
24:22all along
24:23that I hadn't truly
24:24given up on my plans.
24:25His expression
24:26showed no surprise.
24:30You don't like this
24:30from what I understand.
24:31Only Luca has been good to you.
24:33And that Lorenzo,
24:33I heard he's come to New York
24:34several times looking for you.
24:36But you never saw him.
24:37I was surprised he knew
24:38and I didn't see him.
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