- 1 day ago
Three Ex Husbands, One Scam - Full
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On April Fool's Day, my husband, Bleyo, handed me divorce papers.
00:04Your two exes called me yesterday, talking shit.
00:07They said you're too uptight, can't take an April Fool's joke.
00:11Said you'd never have the guts to sign divorce papers.
00:16Honey, you wouldn't make me look bad in front of them, would you?
00:19I have two ex-husbands, my childhood friends, Mako and Leo.
00:23But those first two marriages were just business to help their families out of a jam.
00:27Only my marriage to Blair was for love.
00:30I felt I'd finally found my home, until I overheard the three of them talking.
00:36Lucy is sick.
00:37Her dying wish is for the three of us to spend one whole month with her.
00:41Just the three of us.
00:43Blair, you can handle that, can't you?
00:45Of course.
00:46I'll get Eliana to sign the divorce papers.
00:48I'll just tell her it's an April Fool's joke.
00:51And we'll get remarried after the month is up.
00:53I heard everything.
00:54I didn't let on.
00:55I just calmly signed the papers.
00:57Then, I texted my father, the godfather of the Moretti family.
01:01Father, I'm divorced.
01:02That arranged marriage you mentioned, is the offer still on the table?
01:06I was standing outside our front door, holding a gift from Chicago handmade candies from that
01:12century-old chocolate shop Blair loves.
01:14The conversation inside continued.
01:16Will Eliana go for it?
01:18Of course she will.
01:20She's a Moretti.
01:21She knows the rules.
01:22Besides, Ellie's a pup over.
01:24Never makes waves.
01:26Exactly.
01:27She's gotten us out of so much trouble.
01:29This time will be no different.
01:31Ever since we got married, Blair had always acted like he hated Marco and Leo.
01:35I thought he was jealous.
01:37I was even a little smug about it.
01:39Now I knew the truth.
01:40The three of them were clues.
01:41So close, they could plot against me together.
01:45I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, so that's all I was to them.
01:49My feelings, my dignity, my marriage, just tools for them to use.
01:54I sat in the car for an entire afternoon, letting the chill seep through my whole body.
01:58My phone buzzed, a text from Blair.
02:01Babe, how was the trip?
02:03Got home soon.
02:04I miss you.
02:05I stated the words, I miss you, and almost laughed.
02:08I got out of the car, tossed the box of chocolates in the trash, and pushed open the front door.
02:13Blair shot up from the sofa, a perfect smile on his face.
02:17Ellie, you're back.
02:20How was the road?
02:21He walked over, smoothly taking my coat and handbag, and gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
02:27He'd done it for a year.
02:28It always made me feel warm.
02:30Now, it just made me sick.
02:32I suddenly wiped my cheek.
02:34Blair sat down next to me, his expression suddenly serious.
02:40Ellie, I need to talk to you about something.
02:42Here we go.
02:44I fought with a cold smile, but I kept my face, a mask of confusion.
02:49The commission is auditing the family's assets.
02:52The lawyers are suggesting a temporary divorce, just on paper.
02:58It's to protect you, keep you from getting dragged into this.
03:01A temporary divorce?
03:03He explained eagerly.
03:04Then his face fell into a wounded look.
03:07It's just a formality.
03:09As soon as I clean up the family business, we'll get remarried.
03:12And yesterday, those bastards Marco and Leo called me.
03:15They said since you've been married twice, you'd never dare to divorce again.
03:18That you can't take an April Fool's joke.
03:20He was a damn good actor.
03:22If this were the Oscars, he'd take home best actor.
03:25How could they say that?
03:27I know.
03:28And I wasn't going to take that.
03:30I know my wife is the bravest woman there is.
03:32You're not afraid of anything.
03:35He pulled the papers out from under the coffee table and handed them to me.
03:39I took the file and skimmed it.
03:41It detaileded the division of assets.
03:43Most of his property, his stocks, his real estate.
03:47It was all going to me.
03:49Tomorrow, we'll give them the shock of their lives.
03:53I almost laughed out loud.
03:55He was so damn sure of himself.
03:57So certain we'd be remarried soon.
03:59That this was all just for show.
04:01I picked up the pen on the table and signed my name at the bottom of the agreement with
04:06a clean, sharp stroke.
04:08Done.
04:08You should call them now.
04:10I want to hear it when their jaws hit the ground.
04:12Blair froze for a second.
04:13Clearly not expecting me to sign so quickly, so decisively.
04:17I pushed the papers back to him with a sweet smile.
04:19He looked a bit dazed as he collected the agreement, then planted a soft kiss on my forehead.
04:24I knew you'd understand.
04:26You're the best wife in the world.
04:28Then he took his phone and walked into the study.
04:31I sat in the living room.
04:33Through the half-open study door, I clearly heard his hushed voice.
04:37She signed.
04:39Yeah, didn't even hesitate.
04:41We'll file tomorrow.
04:43In a month, we can...
04:45I told you Ellie was easy!
04:47She's still so gullible!
04:49After you're done with Lucia, make it up to Alana.
04:51Don't let her get too bent out of shape.
04:53Of course.
04:55She's my wife, after all.
04:56A moment later, my own phone laid up with two messages.
05:01The first, from Marco.
05:02Long time no see, when I get together.
05:05The second, from Leo.
05:07Ellie, how are you getting divorced again?
05:09Don't be sad.
05:10I always said that guy wasn't good enough for you.
05:12How about I buy you a drink?
05:14I used to think our friendship was the most important thing in the world.
05:19Marco asked me to marry him to secure his position as heir to the Falcone family.
05:23I did it.
05:24Leo asked me to marry him to get out of and arrange marriage.
05:27I did that too.
05:29And what did I get for it?
05:30I didn't reply.
05:31I just flipped my phone face down on the table.
05:33Back in the bedroom, I silently pulled the suitcase from the closet.
05:37After a year of marriage, I didn't have much.
05:40The clothes and jewelry Blair had given me, I left them all behind.
05:44Just as I was zipping up the suitcase, the doorbell rang.
05:48It was Lucia.
05:48I sat at the door and watched as she stumbled in, drunk, and threw herself into Blair's arms.
05:56Blair, I missed you so I came over.
05:59Blair instinctively glanced back at me, a flash of panic in his eyes.
06:05Lucia's drunk.
06:06She insisted on coming to see an old friend.
06:07We couldn't stop her.
06:08Alicia's still here.
06:09Have some respect.
06:10You think it's okay for a drunk woman to be hanging all over you?
06:13Blair immediately pushed Lucia away.
06:15You knew that?
06:16And you still brought her to my house?
06:19Who's the one with no respect?
06:22We're protecting Lucia's reputation.
06:24That's better than some guy who's getting cozy with another woman in front of his wife.
06:29All right, all right.
06:30Let's not fight over something so small.
06:32Lucia's just had too much to drink.
06:34She doesn't mean any harm.
06:36Then he looked at me, his eyes searching my face.
06:39You don't mind, do you, Ileana?
06:42Of course not.
06:44I watched their perfectly rehearsed little play unfold.
06:47Leo, the righteous accuser.
06:49Marco, the peacemaker.
06:51Blair, the wronged husband defending his honor.
06:54If I hadn't heard them celebrating on the phone earlier,
06:57I might have actually believed they couldn't stand each other.
07:00I thought about our old friendship.
07:03Marco, Leo, and I, we grew up together.
07:06We were the three musketeers, closer than blood.
07:09My father was always busy with family business,
07:12and everyone else kept their distance because of the Moretti name.
07:17Only Marco was willing to teach me how to shoot, taking me to the range every weekend.
07:22Leo even took a bullet for me from a rival family.
07:25He still has the scar on his left shoulder.
07:28Back then, we were the only people in the world we could trust.
07:31But that all changed when Lucia showed up.
07:34She came to Chicago from Italy, all bold and fiery.
07:38She became the center of everyone's world, including Marco's and Leo's.
07:42They started revolving around her, forming a new circle.
07:45I was slowly pushed to the sidelines,
07:48only remembered when they needed the Moretti family to solve the problem.
07:52The cracks were always there.
07:54I just chose to ignore them.
07:55Only today was I willing to face the ugly truth.
07:58Lucia finally seemed to notice me, the lady of the house.
08:03Ileana?
08:03Long time no see.
08:06I've always felt so bad.
08:08I know you think I stole Marco and Leo from you, but I really didn't mean to.
08:13Marco's heart instantly melted.
08:15He gently steadied her, and the look he gave me was sharp with annoyance.
08:20What are you talking about?
08:21Nobody stole anybody.
08:23That's right, Lucia.
08:24Anything that can be stolen wasn't really mine to begin with.
08:27You all came at the perfect time tonight.
08:30There's something I want you all to see.
08:32I walked to the coffee table and picked up the signed divorce papers.
08:36I want to make this clear in front of everyone.
08:38These are my divorce papers with Blair.
08:40I've already signed.
08:42Blair looked panicked for a second,
08:44clearly not expecting me to announce it like this,
08:46but he recovered quickly.
08:47He took a step forward, his voice dripping with fake concern.
08:53Ileana, you don't have to do this.
08:55Well, if you're divorced, then I guess you'll be giving me my ring back.
08:58Aphros, my eyes dropping to the diamond on my ring finger.
09:02What do you mean?
09:03My voice was dry.
09:04Lucia smiled smugly.
09:06Take the ring off and look at the inner bang.
09:08My name is still engraved on it.
09:10Slowly, I twisted off the ring that had once made my heart leap and turned it over.
09:15Among the delicate filigree, I saw our names, Blair and Eliana.
09:20But in a tiny, almost hidden spot was a line in Italian.
09:25Per Semperi, mia Lucia.
09:27In that moment, the world started to spin.
09:29I looked at Blair, desperate for him to explain, to deny it, to tell me it was all a mistake.
09:35But he wouldn't meet my eyes.
09:37He just stood there, silent.
09:38I remembered the day he proposed.
09:41He was on one knee, looking at me with so much love.
09:45I had this ring custom made just for you.
09:47It's one of a kind in the world, just like you are in my heart.
09:49I cried, thinking I was the luckiest woman alive.
09:53It turned out, the ring was never meant for me.
09:55It belonged to Lucia.
09:57It had her name on it.
09:58It was a promise of his love for her.
10:00And me, I was just the placeholder.
10:03I looked down at the divorce papers, and suddenly, I smiled.
10:06Right then, I was so glad I had signed them.
10:09I said, placing the ring on the coffee table.
10:12If it has your name on it, then it's yours.
10:18Lucia's eyes lit up.
10:20She snatched the ring, slid it onto her own finger, and admired it.
10:25Thank you, Eliana.
10:26It really does suit me.
10:27Eliana, let me explain.
10:30Pleia finally said, stepping forward to grab my hand.
10:33But, I had already turned, and was walking toward the stairs.
10:38Don't bother.
10:39Since we're divorced, I shouldn't be living here anymore.
10:42My office, 9 a.m. tomorrow, will finish the paperwork.
10:45I dragged my suitcase out the door, with Blair calling my name behind me.
10:50Full of panic, I didn't stop.
10:52From behind me, I heard Marco's low chuckle.
10:55Nice one, Blair.
10:56She folded even caster than when Leo and I got her to sign our marriage contracts.
11:00Lucia can't wait much longer.
11:01Here, let's head out tomorrow.
11:04Once the car was moving, my phone buzzed.
11:06A text from Blair.
11:07Eliana, I will explain about the ring.
11:10Find a place to stay for now, and I'll come get you in a few days.
11:13Be good.
11:14Don't overthink things.
11:15I looked at the message, a sneer playing on my lips.
11:18He still thinks I'm coming back.
11:20I gave my dad a call.
11:21Father, I'm divorced.
11:23That arranged marriage you mentioned, is the offer still on the table?
11:27Of course, my dear daughter.
11:29I'm glad you finally made a wise decision.
11:31A year ago, after my second divorce, my father had suggested an arranged marriage to a man
11:38from a powerful, allied family.
11:40But I was lost in my fantasy of falling in love with Blair and refused how stupid I had
11:46been.
11:46Half an hour later, I got a new friend request on my phone.
11:49The message read,
11:50Time to meet your fiancé.
11:52The next morning, at 9, I arrived at my downtown office with the Moretti family's private
11:58lawyer.
11:59Blair was already there, looking exhausted and anxious.
12:02He clearly hadn't slept.
12:03Ileana, about the ring, I have to explain.
12:06The jeweler messed up the engraving.
12:08I was going to get it replaced, but there wasn't time.
12:10And I didn't want to upset you over something so small.
12:12I figured I'd quietly get you a new one after the wedding.
12:15Ileana, I know this hurt you.
12:17But you have to believe me.
12:18What I feel for you is real.
12:20After this month, after I handle things with Lucia, we'll get remarried.
12:24I promise I'll make it up to you with the most beautiful wedding ring in the world.
12:28One month, he meant that after he finished his romantic getaway with Lucia, he expected
12:33him to remarry me like nothing happened.
12:35I understand.
12:36I was done listening to his shameless excuses.
12:39I turned to my lawyer.
12:40Let's just get this done.
12:42Blair looked stunned, probably not expecting me to be so cooperative.
12:46The whole process was quicker than I thought.
12:49Signatures, witnesses, a legally binding contract.
12:52In less than half an hour, our marriage was officially over.
12:56The moment we stepped out of the office, Blair's phone rang.
13:00He glanced at the caller ID and his whole face softened.
13:04He answered, his voice gentle.
13:07Lucia, okay, I'm on my way.
13:11Don't worry, I'll take care of you.
13:14Wait for me, I'll be right there.
13:16He hung up and turned to me, the tenderness from the call still lingering in his eyes.
13:21He tried to look conflicted.
13:24Ileana, Lucia isn't feeling well.
13:26I have to go check on her.
13:27Wait here for me, and I'll be back to take you wherever you're staying.
13:30Then he rushed off without a second glance.
13:33I stood in the lobby, watching his hurry retreat.
13:36A wave of sadness and relief washing over me.
13:39That was the man I once loved so deeply.
13:42Not one minute after our divorce was final.
13:45He was already running to another woman.
13:48I turned and walked toward a conference room at the other end of the hall.
13:53My new fiancé was waiting.
13:55Meanwhile, after waiting by the building's entrance for nearly ten minutes and seeing no sign of Eliana,
14:01Blair decided to go back up to remind her about the plan.
14:04Just as he reached the entrance, he slammed right into a man walking out.
14:09Papers scattered across the mobile floor.
14:11Blair's divorce decree mixed with the other man's documents.
14:15A gust of wind from the revolving door flipped open the cover of one file.
14:20It was a marriage contract.
14:22As Blair bent down to grab his papers, he caught a glimpse of the photo on that contract.
14:27He froze.
14:27He only saw a small part of it, but that profile, the side of that face.
14:32The man sat politely, quickly gathering his files.
14:36Excuse me.
14:36Blair looked up, trying to get a clear look at the man's face.
14:39But he had already put on a pair of sunglasses, revealing only a sharp jawline and thin lips.
14:44There was an aristocratic air about him that felt strangely familiar to Blair.
14:50It's fine.
14:51Blair replied, but his eyes were glued to the marriage contract in the man's hands.
14:56The man finished collecting his things and headed for the exit.
14:59Blair stood there, a ridiculous thought growing stronger in his mind.
15:03Who signs a marriage contract on April Fool's Day and a photo on that contract?
15:09Even though he only saw a corner of it, why did it look so familiar?
15:13He felt like he'd seen this man somewhere before.
15:16That calm, commanding presence.
15:19That natural air of old, wild power.
15:21Hey, wait!
15:22Just as Blair called out to the man, his phone rang.
15:25It was Leo.
15:26He hesitated, then picked up.
15:28Blair, where the hell are you?
15:29We're all waiting.
15:30When Blair looked up again, the man was gone.
15:32A black rose royce peeled around the corner.
15:35Shit.
15:36A second later, a text from Mako came through with correspondence.
15:39Get a move on.
15:40We need to be on the private island in the Bahamas before sunset.
15:44Lucia's waiting.
15:45Blair stared at the screen, and a memory hit him.
15:48A promise he'd buried for years.
15:50It was Lucia's dream, back when they graduated high school.
15:54She wanted to take everyone to that secret private island,
15:57and party for three days straight,
15:59watch the most beautiful sencest,
16:00and drink the strongest shit they could find.
16:03Security on the island was tight.
16:05He was the only one with an invite.
16:07This was something only he could do for her.
16:09He glanced back at the building,
16:11wondering if he should go up and give Ileana a heads up.
16:15But time was short.
16:16It was just for a month.
16:17When he got back, everything would go back to normal.
16:21Blair shook his head,
16:22pushing the thought of the mysterious man out of his mind,
16:26and drove to the private airfield.
16:28When he got there, everyone was already waiting.
16:31Lucia was in a red dress,
16:33the sea breeze blowing through her long hair.
16:36The diamond necklace around her neck glittered in the setting sun.
16:40He had bought her that necklace for her 17th birthday.
16:43With six months of his allowance,
16:45she was still wearing it.
16:46Blair stood at the bottom of the jet stairs,
16:49looking at her,
16:50and it was like they were kids again,
16:5210 years ago.
16:53Back then,
16:54Lucia had just moved to Chicago from Italy,
16:56wearing the same kind of red dress,
16:58looking at them with a shy but hopeful expression.
17:01As he was lost in the memory,
17:03a pang of gout hit him.
17:04He hadn't given Ileana many gifts.
17:07The Moratti family had everything.
17:09She didn't need luxury.
17:10He'd only given her a simple diamond bracelet for her birthday,
17:14but she'd worn it every single day, like a treasure.
17:16He suddenly remembered signing the divorce papers today.
17:20Ileana's wrist had been bare.
17:22The bracelet was gone.
17:23The realization made his stomach drop.
17:25Why wasn't she wearing it?
17:27Was she angry?
17:28Or,
17:29Lucia ran over and hooked her arm through his.
17:32Blair!
17:34What are you thinking about?
17:35We've been waiting forever.
17:37You're late,
17:38so you have to take three shots as punishment.
17:40The want of her arm and the sparkle in her eyes
17:43as she looked up at him
17:44threw him back to their teenage years.
17:47Alright,
17:47I'll take my punishment.
17:50The guy saw the vibe
17:51and started whooping and hollering
17:53and knowing glint in their eyes.
17:55Blair still got it bad for Lucia!
17:58What, you jealous?
17:59By the time they reached the island villa,
18:02the sky was dark.
18:03On the terrace,
18:04a party was in full swing.
18:05A gentle sea breeze blew
18:07as stars glittered overhead
18:09and glasses clinked.
18:11Just as Blair was about to hand Lucia
18:13a glass of champagne,
18:15Marco intercepted,
18:16swapping the flute in her hand
18:18for a glass of juice.
18:19Marco said,
18:20his eyes full of concern.
18:23You're sick.
18:24No booze.
18:25Lucia took the juice,
18:27blinked her wide,
18:28innocent eyes,
18:29and asked.
18:30The air froze.
18:31Everyone stared.
18:32Sick.
18:33What are you talking about?
18:35Blair's champagne glass
18:36hung in midair,
18:37his eyes locked on Lucia.
18:40In the stuttened silence,
18:42Lucia suddenly burst out laughing,
18:44covering her mouth,
18:45her eyes dancing with mischief.
18:47April Fools!
18:49Raising her juice glass,
18:51almost doubled over with laughter.
18:53I'm not dying!
18:55I just needed an excuse
18:57to get everyone together
18:59for a wild party!
19:01Blair froze solid.
19:03The sound of waves
19:04crashing against the rocks
19:05seemed suddenly louder.
19:07The distant cries of seabirds
19:09mocking his stupidity.
19:11Lucia wasn't sick.
19:13This was all a joke.
19:14He thought about how he divorced
19:16Eliana for this joke.
19:17He thought about Eliana's
19:20unnervingly calm expression
19:21as she signed the papers
19:22about the missing diamond bracelet
19:24on her wrist.
19:25A hot flash of anger
19:27shot through him.
19:29His voice was rough.
19:31What did you say?
19:33Seeing his face,
19:34Lucia's smile faltered,
19:36but she was still defiant.
19:38Oh, don't be so serious.
19:39It's not like you lost anything.
19:41You get to hang out with me
19:42on this beautiful island.
19:44Lucia,
19:45even for an April Fool's joke
19:46that was a little much.
19:49Yeah,
19:50we were all really worried.
19:53Blair just stood there,
19:55the champagne foot
19:56trembling in his hand.
19:59Seeing his dark expression,
20:01Lucia immediately put on
20:02her best innocent,
20:04hurt look.
20:05She walked up to him,
20:07tugging lightly on his sleeve,
20:09her eyes welling up.
20:11Blair, are you mad at me?
20:12I just...
20:13I just miss the days
20:15when we were all together.
20:17Her eyes were red
20:18as if she was about to cry.
20:20I know you have your own life now,
20:22you have a wife,
20:24but our friendship,
20:26all the good times we had,
20:29that was all real, wasn't it?
20:31That fragile, helpless look
20:33hit Blair right in his weak spot.
20:36He remembered
20:37the 17-year-old Lucia,
20:39the first time she'd cried,
20:40and asked him for help,
20:42and the fierce,
20:44protective urge he'd felt.
20:46That feeling
20:47had never completely disappeared.
20:50The others
20:51started chiming in.
20:53Some cousin
20:54from a pissing family
20:55snickered.
20:56Someone we know
20:57could never stay mad at her.
21:00Damn right!
21:02Back in school,
21:03anyone who messed with Lucia
21:05had to answer to Blair.
21:06He would've put a guy
21:07in the ground for her!
21:11Everyone laughed,
21:12and the tension
21:13started to fade.
21:14Blair looked at Lucia
21:15at the verge of tears,
21:17and finally caved.
21:23Lucia's face
21:23broke into a smile.
21:25She pushed a drink
21:26into his hand.
21:27Her cheeks flushed
21:28as she looked up at him.
21:30Thank you for coming out with me,
21:32for remembering my dream.
21:34Her voice was soft,
21:36calming his frayed nerves.
21:38Blair raised a glass,
21:39looking at the radiant woman
21:41in front of him,
21:42and the anger and suspicion
21:43began to melt away.
21:45Screw it,
21:46he thought.
21:48Let's just call it
21:49a perfect send-off
21:50to their younger days.
21:52The party ignited again,
21:55laughter and clinking glasses
21:56filling the air.
21:58As the night hit its peak,
22:00Hey, Blair's divorced,
22:02and Lucia's single!
22:04It's perfect!
22:09Everyone knew you two
22:11were crazy about each other
22:12back in the day!
22:14Now's your chance!
22:16Get together!
22:17Get together!
22:19Get together!
22:20Yeah!
22:21Blair even divorced
22:22the Moretti princess
22:23for Lucia!
22:24It's on you now, Lucia!
22:26The crowd went wild,
22:27cheering and whistling,
22:29the sound echoing
22:30across the island.
22:32Lucia's face
22:33turned beet red,
22:34and she shyly looked down,
22:35but the slight curve
22:36of her lips
22:37showed she didn't mind
22:38one bit.
22:39Blair stood frozen,
22:41the deafening chants
22:42ringing in his ears,
22:44but his mind flashed back
22:46to Eliana's eyes
22:47in the office that day,
22:49so calm,
22:50so final.
22:51He'd thought she was calm
22:53because she knew
22:54the divorce was fake.
22:55Now,
22:56he wasn't so sure.
22:58The look in her eyes,
23:00it was like she was
23:01looking at a stranger,
23:02not the husband she loved.
23:05Lucia whined,
23:05a hint of complaint
23:07in her tone.
23:07Blair?
23:09You're not going to join
23:10in their teasing,
23:12are you?
23:13Blair snapped back
23:14to reality.
23:15He looked at the girl
23:17who had been
23:17his first love,
23:19opened his mouth
23:20to say something,
23:21but the words got stuck.
23:23He couldn't figure it out.
23:26Wasn't this exactly
23:27what he wanted?
23:28This escape?
23:30This freedom?
23:31So,
23:32why did he feel
23:32so damn empty?
23:33The party ended
23:34in a blur.
23:35Blair was blackout drunk.
23:37He vaguely remembered
23:38someone helping him upstairs,
23:39unbuttoning his shirt.
23:41Soft fingers traced his neck.
23:43He tried to push them away,
23:44but he had no strength.
23:45He mumbled in the haze
23:46between sleep and waking.
23:48Illyana.
23:51Blair, I'm here.
23:53I've always been here.
23:55He woke up the next morning
23:57to sunlight streaming
23:58through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
24:00His head was pounding.
24:02The hangover
24:03made his thoughts
24:04feel like sludge.
24:05He slowly opened his eyes
24:07and saw a spill of black hair
24:08on the pillow
24:09next to him,
24:10not Illyana's wavy chestnut hair.
24:12This was straight
24:13and jet black.
24:14He shot up,
24:15suddenly half sober.
24:16It was Lucia.
24:17The sheet had stepped down
24:19to her waist.
24:20Her shoulders were bare,
24:21fragments of the night before
24:22flash in his mind.
24:24Lucia crying,
24:25saying she was scared
24:25of being alone,
24:26that she'd always loved him.
24:28She kissed him,
24:29and then...
24:31Blair cursed,
24:33rubbing his temples hard.
24:34He instinctively grabbed his phone.
24:36No messages from Illyana.
24:38That wasn't right.
24:39Usually,
24:40if he was gone for half a day
24:42on business,
24:43she'd text him,
24:44asking what he was doing,
24:45what he'd eaten,
24:46if he missed her.
24:47Sometimes a dozen messages a day,
24:49just all that little stuff.
24:50He used to find it
24:52a little annoying.
24:53Now,
24:53the silence was unnerving.
24:55Why hadn't she sent
24:56a single text this time?
24:58Did she really not care
24:59about the divorce?
25:00Just then,
25:01Lucia stood beside him.
25:03She slowly opened her eyes,
25:04and a satisfied smile
25:06spread across her face
25:07when she saw him sitting there.
25:09Good morning, Blair.
25:12Lucia, I'm sorry.
25:13I was drunk last night.
25:14We shouldn't have...
25:15What the hell
25:16is that supposed to mean?
25:17I mean...
25:19Last night was a mistake.
25:21We were both drunk.
25:22A mistake?
25:22You're trying to brush me off
25:24with that?
25:24She tried to get out of bed,
25:26but her legs gave out,
25:27and she nearly fell.
25:28Blair instinctually caught her,
25:29then immediately let go
25:30as if he had been burned.
25:32That small action
25:33was the final straw.
25:34Blair Russo,
25:35how long are you
25:36going to keep up this act?
25:38The devoted husband act?
25:39Did you forget?
25:41It was Alana's old man
25:42who put a gun
25:42to your family's head
25:43to make you marry her.
25:44No, that's not how it was.
25:46I was the one
25:47who went after Alana.
25:48You don't even love her.
25:49She didn't believe in love,
25:51was only willing to do
25:52a contract marriage
25:53for a friend's sake.
25:54I was the one
25:55who pursued her,
25:56who convinced her
25:57to give me her heart.
25:58You're lying!
26:00You told me
26:01I was the one you loved.
26:02You wrote me
26:03a love letter,
26:04didn't you?
26:04His words
26:05stabbed Lucia
26:06like a knife.
26:07Her face went pale,
26:08her eyes filling with tears.
26:10Blair stood rooted
26:11to the spot,
26:12his palms slick
26:12with cold sweat.
26:14A love letter.
26:14He had never written
26:15her a love letter.
26:16The only one he'd ever written
26:18was for Alana,
26:19but he never gave it to her.
26:21He had no idea
26:22how it ended up
26:23in Lucia's hands,
26:24but he couldn't say that.
26:25Not now.
26:26Lucia, listen to me.
26:28I don't want to hear
26:28your excuses.
26:29You're divorced now.
26:31Why can't you be with me?
26:34Do all those years
26:35mean nothing?
26:36She started sobbing,
26:38hysterically,
26:38her whole body shaking.
26:40Suddenly,
26:41she runs for the vanity
26:42and grabs the fruit knife.
26:44Lucia,
26:44what are you doing?
26:46She didn't answer.
26:48She pressed the blade
26:49to her own throat.
26:50The sharp edge
26:51left a thin red line
26:52on her pale skin.
26:54If you don't do what I say,
26:55I'll kill myself.
26:56All right, all right.
26:56Just calm down, okay?
26:58If you leave me,
26:58I'll die right here.
27:00Okay, okay.
27:00I won't leave.
27:01I'll stay.
27:02I'll stay with you.
27:03Just put the knife down.
27:04Hearing that,
27:05the crazed look
27:06in her eyes
27:07slowly faded.
27:08She lowered the knife
27:09then collapsed
27:10into his arms,
27:11crying like a child.
27:12I know I'm terrible.
27:14I'm selfish,
27:15but I really do love you.
27:16Just stay with me
27:17for a while.
27:17Just until you figure out
27:18what you really want.
27:19Please?
27:21Okay, I'll stay.
27:22Lucia's tears
27:23tinned to a smile.
27:25She immediately
27:25grabbed his phone.
27:26Before Blair could react,
27:28she had his contacts
27:29open
27:30and was deleting a name.
27:31What are you doing?
27:32Deleting everything, Aliana.
27:34This way you can be
27:35with me in peace.
27:36No distractions.
27:37Blair watched
27:38Asilene's phone number,
27:39her private messages,
27:41her email address,
27:41all of it
27:42disappeared
27:43one by one.
27:44A strange panic seized him
27:45that he'd already
27:46given his word.
27:47He could only watch
27:48as her name
27:49was erased
27:50from his life.
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