- 2 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00At the gala in Palermo, I stood in a row with 12 other heiresses, waiting to be chosen.
00:05One flower, one night, one chance.
00:08As Don Earl's bastarda, I had no room to fail.
00:11Lorenzo Rossi, heir of the Rossi family, was my childhood friend.
00:15He was the only man who'd agreed to protect me, and he had promised me the white lily.
00:19We'd made the deal just yesterday, three years of cover.
00:22Then he could love whoever he wanted.
00:23Yesterday, he'd said yes.
00:25Tonight, at the last second, he smiled and handed the flower to the girl beside me,
00:29Mia, the scholarship student he'd been sponsoring.
00:32Her hands were shaking as she took it.
00:34Let Mia have the spotlight today, Elena.
00:38The poor thing has never known happiness.
00:40Don't worry.
00:41As long as I'm here, no one will dare arrange your marriage.
00:44I looked at him.
00:45He was already turning away, placing Mia's hand on his arm.
00:49Mia is elegant and noble.
00:52She is worthy of this honor.
00:55Noble.
00:56The word landed like a slap.
00:57Whispers rippled through the crowd.
00:59I stood empty-handed, the Don's bastard daughter, publicly passed over for a stray.
01:04When the crowd dispersed, Lorenzo appeared at my side, wine glass in hand.
01:09These idiots.
01:10I told them to save you at least one flower.
01:15Do you know what tonight means?
01:17The white lily wasn't decoration.
01:19It was a marriage proposal between families.
01:22Without it, I had nothing.
01:23No protection.
01:24No choice.
01:25No way out of the arranged marriage Donna Earl had already planned for me in New York.
01:29Lorenzo was my only option.
01:31No other man here would choose the bastard, though.
01:33And he'd just chosen someone else.
01:3618 years.
01:39He didn't answer.
01:40Behind him, Mia was smiling.
01:42The white lily in her hands, still perfect.
01:46Guilt flickered across Lorenzo's face.
01:48He sent Mia away.
01:50You're used to these events, Elena.
01:52But Mia's poor.
01:54This...
01:56Just...
01:56Just do me a favor.
02:01You can have your way any other day.
02:03Why today of all days?
02:04I stayed silent.
02:10Today's her graduation.
02:12After tonight, I can't sponsor her anymore.
02:17I promised her one unforgettable memory.
02:20Unforgettable for me, too.
02:22But it was too late.
02:23Lorenzo, do you understand what the gala...
02:26Mia returned before I could finish.
02:29Elena, did I ruin everything?
02:34Please don't blame Lorenzo.
02:36I begged him to...
02:38Enough, Elena.
02:39It's just a flower.
02:41I'll buy you another one.
02:42He reached into a nearby vase,
02:44pulled out a rose,
02:45and shoved it into my hand.
02:49Roses suit you better anyway.
02:51A lily isn't worth making a scene over.
02:54This isn't like you.
02:55The rose was dripping wet.
02:56Its thorns had been cut.
02:58Its stem snapped short, just like me.
03:00But the white lily meant honor.
03:02The wife of a don.
03:03A queen.
03:04The red rose meant mistress.
03:06A woman you kept in the shadows.
03:08An illegitimate bootlicker,
03:10thinking she could marry the Rossi heir?
03:12Didn't you hear him say noble?
03:14Even a poor student ranks higher.
03:17Lorenzo silenced the woman with one look,
03:19but the words had already sunk in.
03:24Elena, I'm sorry.
03:26You've always had everything.
03:28I just wanted one night to feel special.
03:31Everything?
03:32I'm a bastard, Mia.
03:34Do you have any idea how the Maradi family treats me?
03:37The cake slipped from her hands and landed on her shoe,
03:40her eyes filled with tears.
03:42Look, it's already done.
03:44Let her enjoy tonight.
03:47Come on, let's get you cleaned up.
03:50You can head home if you want.
03:53Home?
03:54I didn't have one.
03:55As soon as Lorenzo left my side,
03:57someone closed in.
03:58Antonio Ricci,
03:59a reckless libertine from a rival crew,
04:01sidled up to me.
04:03You smell good, Elena Moretti.
04:06Without Lorenzo,
04:07I didn't even get basic respect.
04:09Lorenzo told me to give you a flower.
04:11I didn't.
04:12I told you before,
04:14stop chasing him and try me instead,
04:16but you never listened.
04:18How's it feel now?
04:20Humiliating, isn't it?
04:21Lorenzo had given him the task of delivering my flower,
04:24knowing Antonio had been harassing me for months.
04:26Another betrayal.
04:27I only asked for three years.
04:29Three years to gain enough power
04:31to escape the Moretti family's grip.
04:33But Donna wanted me gone.
04:34She wouldn't even give me time to breathe.
04:37If it wasn't for that pretty face,
04:38you'd be nothing.
04:42Ritzy,
04:43did I not warn you?
04:45Don't touch my people.
04:47That's none of your business.
04:49Your people?
04:51You just picked the charity girl.
04:53What do you need Elena for?
04:55She's mine.
04:56That's all you need to know.
04:56Antonio spat and walked away.
04:58Lorenzo spun me around to face him.
05:01He touched you and you didn't fight back?
05:05Wasn't this your idea?
05:07Lorenzo,
05:07could I get some champagne?
05:10One's cold and stubborn.
05:11The other's bright and warm.
05:13Lorenzo's choice was easy.
05:15Tonight,
05:15you're the star.
05:16Whatever you want.
05:17We'll talk tomorrow.
05:19I'll come by your place.
05:21Tomorrow?
05:22I smiled coldly.
05:23Tomorrow,
05:24you'll have to come to New York to find me.
05:28Lorenzo left
05:29to greet the other Capos.
05:31And Mia walked back to me,
05:32holding a glass of wine.
05:34The timid scholarship girl was gone.
05:36In her place
05:37stood someone who'd tasted power.
05:39You have everything, Elena.
05:42Why do you need to take this one moment of glory from me?
05:48I should never have helped Lorenzo choose her for the scholarship.
05:52You grew up in luxury.
05:55I only wanted Lorenzo's protection for one night.
06:01Luxury?
06:03You think I'm better off than you?
06:05My mother died early.
06:06Don Earl brought me back to the estate when I was little.
06:09Donna looked at me like she wanted me dead.
06:11My father had mistresses everywhere
06:13and didn't care about one more bastard daughter.
06:15I learned to read faces young.
06:17Without this face,
06:18I wouldn't have survived.
06:19I was trapped between two sides.
06:21I turned to Uncle Luca
06:22and begged him to train me
06:24to back me up.
06:25Uncle Luca never smiled.
06:29Your father has 23 children.
06:33Why should I invest in a bastard who won't last?
06:36Because I have nothing to lose.
06:38I'll do what they won't.
06:40But the time wasn't right.
06:41Uncle Luca wouldn't help me either.
06:43They say Dante Vitale is ruthless.
06:45Anyone who crosses him gets crushed without mercy.
06:48The Morettis wanted his protection
06:49but wouldn't sacrifice a legitimate daughter.
06:52So they chose me.
06:55Uncle Luca must know how the gala ended.
07:01Elena.
07:02Do you think Lorenzo even knows what the gala means?
07:05I wasn't the type to dwell on emotions.
07:08I needed to find a way to stay.
07:11Do you know what tonight actually means?
07:13Sure, it's a matchmaking event
07:14but it's just formality.
07:15Don't worry.
07:15I'll talk to the Morettis.
07:16No one's forcing you into marriage.
07:17Then can you get the lily back from Mia?
07:19I'll return it tomorrow.
07:20That's not good.
07:21It's already hers.
07:21That orchid had a rare golden edge.
07:24It couldn't be copied at all.
07:26Lorenzo, you know I won't clink on you.
07:27Why did you humiliate me tonight?
07:29Elena.
07:30No one else will take you.
07:32You're a Moretti bastard.
07:33Everyone Palermo knows you're mine.
07:35Elena.
07:35Please don't fight with Lorenzo.
07:39Enough, Elena.
07:40Tomorrow, Mia goes back to her life.
07:43I left the gala
07:44and got into Uncle Luca's car.
07:46Accept your loss.
07:47Tomorrow you leave for New York.
07:51I'll come back.
07:53Back at the estate,
07:54Donna glanced at Uncle Luca,
07:56then at me.
07:57We've raised you for 18 years.
07:59Time to repay that.
08:00Tomorrow, you leave.
08:02Nothing in this house was mine.
08:03Not even the plane ticket.
08:05Uncle Luca said nothing
08:06and went to his room.
08:07I went to my small bedroom to pack.
08:09My half-sister, Bianca,
08:10leaned in the doorway,
08:11checking her nails.
08:14Mom told me to keep an eye on you.
08:16Don't take anything valuable.
08:19Not even tonight's gown.
08:22Oh, and Mom said Dante Vitale
08:24already in love with someone else.
08:26Good luck.
08:28I took off the gown in front of her
08:30and removed all the jewelry.
08:31Then I walked to the bathroom in my slip.
08:33Mia had posted a photo in Instagram.
08:36She was glowing,
08:37Lorenzo's arm around her.
08:38He was still wearing the cufflinks I'd given him.
08:40I left everything Lorenzo had ever given me behind.
08:44Before dawn, I was up.
08:45No goodbyes.
08:46I grabbed my backpack
08:47and headed to the airport.
08:48Security, boarding,
08:50everything went smoothly.
08:51As the plane taxied,
08:53I shut off my phone completely,
08:54cutting all ties to Palermo.
08:56Then the announcement came.
08:58Apologies, passengers.
09:00The Rossi family has purchased
09:01all available flights out of Plasso today.
09:03We are returning back.
09:06I stared out the window
09:07as the runway slowed back down.
09:11The plane came to a stop.
09:21My phone reconnected
09:22and messages flooded in.
09:24The announcement came again.
09:26Apologies for the inconvenience.
09:28To compensate,
09:29the Rossi family will refund your ticket
09:31at ten times the price.
09:33Who do you think the Rossi family is looking for?
09:35Wow.
09:36This is so dramatic.
09:37Like a movie.
09:40I scrolled through my phone.
09:42I scrolled through my phone.
09:42I scrolled through my phone, exhausted.
09:43Lorenzo had gone to the Moretti estate early this morning looking for me.
09:47He saw the gown, the jewelry, everything I'd left behind.
09:51But my backpack was gone.
09:53He panicked.
09:54He demanded answers from the Morettis.
09:56Where did Elena go?
09:58Where did Elena go?
09:58Lorenzo lost it.
10:01He almost tore the estate apart.
10:03Then he started calling me.
10:04But by then, I was already on the plane.
10:06When Lorenzo realized I hadn't taken a single thing he'd ever given me,
10:10he snapped.
10:10I grabbed my backpack and got off the plane.
10:14It was early.
10:15I was starving.
10:18I found a small cafe and ordered pasta.
10:23Uncle Luca's message came through.
10:26Do you want to come back?
10:27Lorenzo still wants you.
10:30The Moretti family was built on schemes.
10:33Lorenzo might spoil me, but he'd never lose face for me.
10:37Going back meant more humiliation.
10:45Moving forward.
10:47Maybe there was a chance.
10:49I ate slowly, watching black-suited men flood the terminal.
10:54They grabbed every woman who looked like me, asking questions.
10:57Then Lorenzo rushed in, drenched in sweat.
11:01His phone pressed to his ear.
11:03He passed right by my table.
11:04He looked desperate, frantic,
11:08calling my number over and over.
11:10My phone kept buzzing in my pocket.
11:13When no one answered, he almost smashed the phone in frustration.
11:18His men returned empty-handed.
11:20I'd never seen Lorenzo like this.
11:23Completely unraveled.
11:25Where is she?
11:26I don't care what it takes.
11:28No plane flies to New York today.
11:30I checked my phone.
11:33There was a flight to Milan in 20 minutes.
11:37I scrolled through the news while I waited.
11:40Palermo's tabloids were having a field day.
11:42The headlines screamed,
11:43Rossi airs new flame, but who's he hunting at the airport?
11:46Two women at the table behind me were gossiping loudly.
11:50God, that's so romantic.
11:53If someone did that for me, I'd say yes immediately.
11:56You don't get it.
11:57Last night at a gala, Lorenzo chose some scholarship girl.
12:02I bet he got scammed.
12:05Wait, he didn't pick a rich girl?
12:07He picked a charity chase?
12:09Then why is he freaking out today?
12:11I sipped my coffee,
12:13trying not to react.
12:14I'm guessing Lorenzo didn't realize
12:16giving the white loafs was a marriage proposal.
12:19The first girl said smugly,
12:20How do you know all this?
12:23Because I was at the gala last night.
12:25I froze.
12:26I glanced back.
12:28Didn't recognize her.
12:30Lucky.
12:31So what does the rich girl look like?
12:36She's beautiful.
12:38Stunning, actually.
12:42Then why would Lorenzo give the lily to an outsider?
12:45The girl's voice turned sharp.
12:46Who cares?
12:47The other girl's just a bastard anyway.
12:50Not like us real heiresses.
12:52I coughed, and both women turned.
12:54The moment they saw my face,
12:56one of them gasped and pointed,
12:58unable to speak.
13:03What?
13:04Do you know her?
13:06The other girl stared at me,
13:08then whispered.
13:10Wait.
13:11Are you?
13:13I pressed a finger to my lips.
13:15Both women slapped their hands over their mouths.
13:17I stood up and left.
13:18As I walked away,
13:20I heard one of them shriek.
13:21You didn't tell me she looked like that!
13:24You have zero chance now!
13:26I am on my way to the boarding gate,
13:27and another refund notification hit my phone.
13:30The Rossi family had bought out
13:31every route out of Palermo,
13:33even flights to other cities.
13:35I stood there, clutching my phone,
13:37stuck.
13:37Then it rang.
13:38A New York number.
13:41Hello?
13:41Dante Vitale.
13:43The name of my arranged husband.
13:44His voice was cold,
13:45but strangely pleasant.
13:46The kind that made you want to keep listening.
13:48I'm sorry, I...
13:49My men are already at the airport.
13:51They'll bring you to me.
13:52Before I could explain that all the flights were grounded,
13:54I saw it.
13:55A private jet on the tarmac.
13:57Several men in black suits
13:58stepped off the plane,
14:00standing at attention.
14:01Understood.
14:02I hung up and walked toward the jet.
14:07It was drizzling.
14:09An umbrella appeared over my head.
14:10The moment I stepped outside,
14:12the man holding it kept his eyes down,
14:14respectful.
14:15Mrs. Vitale,
14:16we're here to bring you home.
14:18That's when Lorenzo spotted me.
14:19He sprinted toward me,
14:21grabbing my wrist.
14:22Elena,
14:23come with me.
14:24Vitale's men immediately surrounded me.
14:27Lorenzo's men closed in.
14:28The two groups faced off.
14:30Onlookers pulled out their phones,
14:32filming.
14:32The man leading Dante's crew was older,
14:35impeccably dressed,
14:36with the calm precision of a man who'd seen everything.
14:39He smiled politely,
14:40but his eyes were stone.
14:41Mr. Rossi,
14:42I'm here to escort Mrs. Vitale home.
14:45Please step aside.
14:46Lorenzo's gaze turned lethal.
14:48She hasn't left Palermo yet.
14:50I'd like to see who has the balls to take my woman.
14:53I felt exhausted.
14:54I'd tried to tell him several times,
14:56but his attention was always on Mia.
14:59Lorenzo,
14:59you've protected me for years.
15:01I'm grateful,
15:03but this is where it ends.
15:05I don't blame anyone.
15:07Don't blame anyone?
15:09Then come back with me.
15:11I'll marry you.
15:12I'll tell the Morettis myself.
15:15The rain fell harder.
15:16Lorenzo's hair was soaked,
15:17his eyes red.
15:19The Vitale butler stepped between us,
15:21unmoved.
15:22Apologies, Mr. Rossi,
15:23but the agreement with the Moretti family
15:25has been finalized.
15:27Mrs. Vitale leaves with us today.
15:29Lorenzo ignored him,
15:30staring only at me.
15:31I shook my head.
15:32Lorenzo, I told you,
15:34I only wanted three years.
15:36I have someone I truly like.
15:39I never planned to marry you.
15:41This again?
15:43Elena,
15:44you've been trapped in Morettis.
15:46Where would you even meet someone to love?
15:47I know calling you my shadow upset you.
15:50Stop being stubborn
15:51and come back with me.
15:52We'll talk there, okay?
15:54His tone had shifted,
15:55almost pleading now.
15:56I was grateful for his years of protection,
15:58but the moment Lorenzo let go of me
16:00and handed that flower
16:01to the scholarship girl,
16:02it meant we could no longer walk together.
16:06Lorenzo,
16:07Mia is your fiancé.
16:09All of Palermo saw it.
16:10You two should be happy together.
16:12Marry a scholarship girl?
16:14He laughed bitterly.
16:16Are you serious?
16:17I'd marry you before I'd ever marry her.
16:19My expression went cold.
16:21Lorenzo had always liked me,
16:23but he'd never respected me.
16:24This time,
16:25I didn't hesitate.
16:27I turned and walked toward the jet
16:28with the butler.
16:29Lorenzo stood frozen,
16:31his fists clenched,
16:32fury radiating off him.
16:34Elena!
16:36You leave Palermo,
16:37and no one will protect you anymore.
16:40Think carefully.
16:41Once you're gone,
16:43don't come back regretting it.
16:45I didn't answer.
16:46I stepped onto the plane.
16:47The butler had thoughtfully
16:49prepared a towel for me.
16:50He pointed to the washroom
16:51at the back of the plane,
16:52keeping his voice low.
16:54You can freshen up there,
16:55Mrs. Vitai.
16:56Getting caught in the rain,
16:57you'll catch cold.
16:59The jet was luxurious,
17:01clearly not a rental.
17:02This had to be
17:03the Vitale family's private plane.
17:05The Vitale family's power
17:06was on another level.
17:08Even the Morettis
17:09didn't own a private jet.
17:10The plane didn't just have a bathroom,
17:13it had a full bed.
17:14Strangely,
17:15the bedding was soft pink,
17:16definitely not something
17:18Dante Vitale would choose for himself.
17:20In the bathroom,
17:21I changed into the prepared clothes.
17:23Another shock.
17:24The clothes fit me perfectly.
17:25When I came out,
17:26the butler had dismissed the guards
17:28to the back of the cabin.
17:29Excuse me,
17:30I asked.
17:31Does the Don usually use this plane?
17:33The butler saw my confusion.
17:34This plane was purchased
17:35specifically for you,
17:36Mrs. Vitale.
17:37Everything was customized
17:39to your preferences.
17:40The Don personally selected the bedding,
17:42the softest material available.
17:44My jaw nearly dropped.
17:46Something this extravagant?
17:48Casually given to a stranger?
17:49Wasn't he supposed
17:50to have someone he loved?
17:51The flight to New York is long.
17:53You should rest.
17:54So we've prepared
17:55a humidifier for you.
18:02No one had ever cared
18:04about my comfort before.
18:05I'd only ever learned
18:06to read other people's moods.
18:07This sudden concern
18:08made me restless.
18:10Fortunately,
18:10the butler noticed my discomfort
18:12and quietly withdrew.
18:13I pulled out a pen
18:14and started sketching notes,
18:16my mind full of worry
18:17about what lay ahead.
18:18The plane landed
18:19on a sprawling green estate.
18:21When I looked closer,
18:22I realized
18:23this was the Vitale compound.
18:24Even coming from
18:25a wealthy family,
18:26I'd never seen anything
18:28this lavish.
18:29Dante Vitale came
18:30to meet me personally,
18:31wearing a warm smile,
18:33nothing like the cold,
18:34ruthless man
18:35from the rumors.
18:36He draped a coat
18:37over my shoulders.
18:38His voice was smooth
18:39and pleasant.
18:40Are you cold?
18:41I shivered slightly
18:42and stepped back,
18:43putting some distance
18:44between us.
18:44Mr. Vitale,
18:47I know you have
18:48someone you love.
18:49I know marrying me
18:49was forced on you.
18:51Don't worry.
18:51I only need three years.
18:53I won't keep you
18:54from the woman
18:55you love for long.
18:56His brow furrowed,
18:58looking puzzled.
18:59Someone I love?
19:00Three years?
19:01Yes.
19:02For three years,
19:03I'll play the role
19:04of your wife.
19:06I won't interfere
19:07with your private life.
19:08After three years,
19:09we separate.
19:10I won't take a cent from you.
19:12I can sign an agreement.
19:14His frown deepened.
19:15He looked sharply
19:16toward the butler.
19:17When he got no response,
19:18he stepped closer
19:19and pulled me gently
19:20into his arms.
19:21My face flushed
19:22completely red.
19:23Who said we were
19:24going to keep things
19:25this separate?
19:26My wife?
19:27Seeing me embarrassed
19:28seemed to improve his mood.
19:30He lifted my chin,
19:31leaning closer.
19:32Everything I have
19:33is yours, my wife.
19:34Even after we went inside,
19:35I still hadn't recovered
19:36from the shock.
19:37Wasn't this man
19:38supposed to be cold
19:39and ruthless?
19:40Dante's home
19:40was all sharp lines
19:42and clean edges,
19:42but there were touches
19:44of color,
19:44soft furnishings
19:45that had clearly
19:46been added recently.
19:47The aesthetic was good,
19:48the pieces carefully chosen.
19:50They didn't clash.
19:51Instead,
19:52they made the space
19:53feel comfortable.
19:54I sat on the couch.
19:55I handed him
19:55a folded paper.
19:57This is my plan.
19:59I'd like to borrow
20:00some money.
20:00I'll pay you back
20:01in installments.
20:02He pulled the paper
20:03from my hand
20:03and scanned it.
20:06You need money?
20:08It was humiliating,
20:10arriving with nothing.
20:11No dowry,
20:12nothing of value.
20:13For the Vitalis,
20:14this had to look
20:14like disrespect.
20:15I'd done my research
20:16before landing.
20:17The Vitali family
20:18didn't need alliances.
20:19They didn't need
20:20anyone's support.
20:21They stood alone
20:22at the top.
20:23People lined up
20:23from New York
20:24to Palermo
20:24just to ask them
20:25for favors.
20:26I still didn't understand
20:27why they'd agreed
20:28to this marriage
20:28with the Morettis.
20:30Yes,
20:31I don't have money,
20:33but I promise
20:35I have a way
20:36to pay you back.
20:37He didn't question me.
20:38Instead,
20:39his hand closed
20:39around mine,
20:40warm against my cold fingers,
20:42and he rubbed gently.
20:43My face flushed again.
20:45His mood seemed to improve.
20:47Why do you need money?
20:48I looked up sharply,
20:49suddenly realizing,
20:50maybe as Mrs. Vitali,
20:52I wasn't supposed
20:53to have financial control.
20:54Maybe I was expected
20:55to live off an allowance?
20:57To ask permission
20:58for spending money,
20:59I straightened,
21:00meeting his eyes.
21:01Mr. Vitali,
21:02I don't want to be trapped
21:03by the Moretti family,
21:04and I won't be live
21:06as a housewife
21:07asking for handouts.
21:09I want my own career.
21:10If possible,
21:11I want to take back
21:12what belongs to me
21:13from the Morettis.
21:15Dante looked surprised
21:15that I'd spoken so openly.
21:17He reached up
21:17and ruffled my hair affectionately.
21:20Everything the vitals have
21:21is yours.
21:22Before I could process that,
21:24he gestured to the butler,
21:25who brought over
21:26a black card.
21:27This is my account.
21:28Spend whatever you want.
21:31The room Dante gave me
21:32was the best
21:33in the entire compound.
21:34Sunlight flooded
21:35through the windows.
21:36The decor was soft,
21:38feminine,
21:38like something out
21:39of a princess's quarters.
21:40For someone who'd been
21:41an outsider in the Moretti house
21:43my whole life,
21:44it was almost unbelievable.
21:45I slept well
21:46for the first time in years.
21:48The next morning,
21:48I woke to a message
21:49from Uncle Luca.
21:51Lorenzo is furious.
21:52Why didn't you come back with him?
21:54Uncle Luca was the only one
21:55in the Moretti family
21:56who'd ever protected me,
21:58but his protection
21:58always came with strings attached.
22:00Uncle,
22:01I'm a person,
22:02not a pet you can call
22:03whenever you want.
22:05Really?
22:06I thought you'd already
22:07turned yourself
22:08into a weapon for revenge.
22:10Three years.
22:11I borrowed $100,000
22:13from the Vitales.
22:14I did everything
22:15a Don's wife
22:16was supposed to do.
22:17I attended galas
22:18with Dante,
22:19smiled for the cameras,
22:20let people court my favor.
22:22I played the role
22:22of the beautiful trophy wife.
22:24Even though Dante
22:25spoiled me endlessly,
22:26I never forgot my place.
22:28But in those three years,
22:29I used that $100,000
22:31to leverage resources
22:32in Palermo.
22:33I dismantled Moretti operations
22:35piece by piece.
22:36Pulled their best men
22:37and capos
22:38into my own network.
22:40Don Earl finally saw the truth.
22:42His 23 children
22:43were useless.
22:44The second generation
22:45of Morettis panicked.
22:47Afraid the family's collapse
22:48would hurt their shares
22:49of the casinos
22:50and territories,
22:50they started selling off
22:52their assets.
22:52I bought them all.
22:53One by one,
22:54I took control
22:55of their gambling operations,
22:56their shipping routes.
22:58I flipped operations
22:59that were bleeding money
23:00into profitable enterprises,
23:01expanded territories
23:03they'd neglected.
23:04By the time Don Earl
23:05realized what was happening,
23:06I controlled more
23:07of the family's
23:08income streams
23:09than he did.
23:10The other Moretti heirs
23:11couldn't compete
23:11with me anymore.
23:12It was 10 at night
23:13when I came home.
23:14Dante was sitting
23:15in the warm glow
23:16of the living room,
23:17waiting for me.
23:18My chest tightened.
23:19I walked over
23:20and wrapped my arms
23:21around his shoulders
23:22from behind.
23:23I held him
23:23for a long moment.
23:24Then I let go
23:25and stepped back,
23:26composed again.
23:29Why are you back
23:30so late?
23:30He asked quietly.
23:32Are you tired?
23:33I had soup made for you.
23:34The words I'd been
23:35planning to say
23:36stuck in my throat.
23:37He took my hand
23:38and led me to the table,
23:39watching as I drank
23:40the soup.
23:43When are you going
23:44to let yourself
23:45depend on me?
23:46You don't have to
23:47exhaust yourself like this.
23:48I felt warmth
23:49spread through me.
23:50Looking at him
23:50in the soft light,
23:51I felt a pang of guilt.
23:52The three years are up.
23:55It's time for me
23:55to go back to Morettis.
23:57Dante had known
23:58all along
23:58that I hadn't truly
23:59given up on my plans.
24:00His expression
24:01showed no surprise.
24:05You don't like this
24:06from what I understand.
24:06Only Luca has been
24:07good to you.
24:08And that Lorenz,
24:08I heard he's come to New York
24:09several times
24:10looking for you.
24:11But you never saw him.
24:12I was surprised he knew
24:13and had said nothing.
Comments