- 36 minutes ago
- #asm
He Dared Me To Divorce Him #ASM
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On our first wedding anniversary, my husband, Dante Ricci, handed me divorce papers.
00:04Hung out with your two ex-husbands yesterday. We played Truth or Dare.
00:06I lost, so they dared me to get you to sign them.
00:08Bet you wouldn't have the guts to go through with it.
00:11Babe, you're not gonna let them get away with that, are you?
00:13I have two ex-husbands, my childhood friends Marco Rosotti and Luca Barbieri.
00:19But those first two marriages were just business, to help their families out of a jam.
00:24Only my marriage to Dante was for love.
00:26I thought I'd finally found my home, until I overheard the three of them talking.
00:30Kiara's sick. Her dying wish is for the three of us to spend one whole month with her, just the
00:34three of us.
00:35Dante, you can handle that, can't you?
00:37Of course. I'll get Isabella to sign the divorce papers, I'll just tell her it's a dare, and we'll get
00:42remarried after the month is up.
00:43I heard everything. I didn't let on. I just calmly signed the papers.
00:48Then I texted my father, the godfather of the Romano family.
00:52Father, I'm divorced.
00:54That arranged marriage you mentioned? Is the offer still on the table?
00:58I was standing outside our front door, holding a gift from Chicago. Dante loves.
01:02The conversation inside continued.
01:05Will Isabella go for it?
01:07Of course she will.
01:09She knows the rules.
01:10Besides, Bella's a pushover.
01:11Never makes waves.
01:13Exactly.
01:14She's gotten us out of so much trouble.
01:16This time will be no different.
01:18Ever since we got married, Dante had always acted like he hated Marco and Luca.
01:21I thought he was jealous. I was even a little smug about it.
01:25Now I knew the truth.
01:26The three of them were close.
01:28So close they could plot its knee against together.
01:30I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
01:32So that's all I was to them.
01:34My feelings, my dignity, my marriage.
01:36Just tools for them to use.
01:38I turned around, got back in my car, and sat for a full hour just letting the cold seep in.
01:42My phone buzzed.
01:43A text from Dante.
01:44I stared at the words and almost laughed.
01:45I got out of the car, tossed the box of chocolates in the trash, and pushed open the front door.
01:50Bella.
01:51Dante shot up from the sofa, a perfect smile on his face.
01:56You're back. How was the road?
01:58He came up to me and gently kissed me on my face.
02:01He'd done it for a year.
02:04It always made me feel warm.
02:06Now, it just made me sick.
02:08I subtly wiped my cheek.
02:10Bella, I need to talk to you about something.
02:12Dante said, sitting next to me, his expression suddenly serious.
02:18Here we go, I thought with a cold smile.
02:21But I kept my face a mask of confusion.
02:24Taking my hand and rubbing his thumb over the back of it.
02:28The lawyers are suggesting a temporary divorce.
02:30Just on paper.
02:32It's to protect you, keep you from getting getting dragged into this.
02:35A temporary divorce?
02:38I raised an eyebrow, playing dumb.
02:40It's just a formality.
02:41As soon as I clean up the family business, we'll get remarried.
02:45Then his face fell into a wounded look.
02:48And I was playing truth or dare.
02:50With Marco and Luca yesterday, those bastards.
02:53They lost and dared me to do this.
02:55Said you'd never have the nerve to get divorced again.
02:58Said you didn't have the guts.
02:59He was a damn good actor.
03:01If this were the Oscars, he'd take home best actor.
03:04How could they say that?
03:06I said, faking a flash of anger.
03:08I know.
03:08And I wasn't going to take that.
03:10Dante said, his eyes shining with anticipation.
03:14I know my wife is the bravest woman there is.
03:16You're not afraid of anything.
03:17So.
03:18He pulled the papers out from under the coffee table and handed them to me.
03:22Tomorrow, we'll give them the shock of their lives.
03:24Most of his property.
03:25His stocks.
03:26His real estate.
03:27It was all going to me.
03:28I almost laughed out loud.
03:29He was so damn sure of himself.
03:30So certain we'd be remarried soon that this was all just for show.
03:33I picked up the pen on the table and signed my name at the bottom of the agreement with
03:36a clean, sharp stroke.
03:38Dante froze for a second.
03:40Clearly not expecting me to sign so quickly, so decisively.
03:43Done.
03:44You should call them now.
03:45I want to hear it when their jaws hit the floor.
03:48I knew you'd understand.
03:49You're the best wife in the world.
03:51Then he took his phone and walked into the study.
03:53She signed.
03:54Yeah, didn't even hesitate.
03:55We'll file tomorrow.
03:56Ha ha ha!
03:56I told you Bella was easy!
03:58She's still so gullible!
03:59After you're done with Chiara, make it up to Isabella.
04:01Don't let her get too bent out of shape.
04:03Of course she's my wife, after all.
04:04A moment later, my own phone lit up with two messages.
04:07The first, from Marco.
04:08The second, from Luca.
04:09I used to think our friendship was the most important thing in the world.
04:12I used to think our friendship was everything.
04:14Marco asked me to marry him to secure his inheritance.
04:16I did.
04:17Luca asked me to marry him to escape an arranged marriage.
04:20I did that too.
04:21And what did I get for it?
04:22I didn't reply.
04:23I just flipped my phone face down on the table.
04:28Honey, Marco and Luca, those idiots, they still don't believe
04:31we actually signed the papers.
04:32They insist on seeing us, to confirm it in person before they'll drop it.
04:36So annoying.
04:37I looked at his handsome, lying face in the mirror, my heart turning to ice.
04:41Fine.
04:42Let them see.
04:44I'd love to know what their faces look like when they're finally convinced.
04:50I knew you were the understanding one.
04:52Kissing my forehead with satisfaction.
04:56The meeting was at a private bar they always went to.
04:59All dim lights and moody music.
05:01As I followed Dante into our booth, I saw them immediately.
05:05Marco and Luca were lounging on the sofa.
05:07And between them, holding court like a queen, was Chiara Fontana.
05:11She was wearing a fire red slip dress.
05:15Her beauty so sharp, it was almost a weapon.
05:18The second she saw Dante, her eyes lit up.
05:29Dante!
05:30I missed you so much.
05:33What took you so long?
05:35Dante's body went stiff for a second.
05:40He glanced at me, but Chiara's embrace was too tight.
05:44And he could only pat her back awkwardly.
05:47All right, all right.
05:48Isabella's still here.
05:49I had to laugh.
05:51The way he said it, you'd think I was the third wheel.
05:54Chiara pulled Dante down onto the sofa, squeezing in between him and Marco,
05:59and immediately launched into stories about their school days.
06:03Marco, do you remember that time you got into a fight with the basketball captain?
06:11You needed three stitches above your eye.
06:15And Dante, that Latin exam?
06:19If you hadn't secretly passed me that note, I would have failed for sure.
06:24Every story she told was a memory I wasn't a part of.
06:28She was proudly showing off how close she was with them,
06:31effortlessly pushing me to the outside.
06:33I picked up my drink and took a quiet sip, an outsider at my own table.
06:39Back then, we were the only people in the world we could trust.
06:43We were in Duttered Whirly-Cumber's Mewmistering the Divith Vine.
06:47She came to Chicago from Italy when she was 15, all bold and fiery.
06:52She became the center of everyone's world, including Marco's and Luca's.
06:57They started revolving around her, forming a new circle.
07:01I was slowly pushed to the sidelines,
07:04only remembered when they needed the Romano family to solve a problem.
07:11The cracks were always there.
07:13I just chose to ignore them.
07:16Only today was I willing to face ugly truth.
07:19Oh my God, look at me, getting so caught up in old times.
07:23I've been ignoring Isabella.
07:24Why don't we play truth or dare?
07:26It's been forever.
07:27A cold laugh echoed in my head.
07:31They really had a thing for this game.
07:34Sure.
07:45Dare!
07:50French kiss the person of the opposite sex to your left for 30 seconds.
07:58Isabella, you don't mind, do you?
08:00In that moment, every eye was on me, waiting.
08:04Waiting for me to scream or to force a pained smile.
08:08Of course not.
08:11We're divorced, aren't we?
08:13Dante clearly hadn't expected me to be so calm,
08:16to drop the word divorced so easily in front of everyone.
08:19Marco's brow furled.
08:21He looked like he was about to step in and stop this farce.
08:25Marco, a bet's a bet.
08:29Those are the rules of the game.
08:31Can't break them.
08:33Chiara, now with backup, looked even more smug.
08:36She turned her head, looking up at Dante with a look of pure invitation.
08:41He lowered his head and, right in front of me, kissed her.
08:5030 seconds.
08:51I watched them, my mind silently counting down.
08:541-2.
08:55Time had never felt so long.
08:57When they finished, Chiara looked triumphant.
09:00She licked her swollen lips and gave me a defiant smirk.
09:03Since you're divorced, shouldn't you give me my ring back?
09:07I froze.
09:08My eyes dropping to the diamond on my ring fender.
09:19What do you mean?
09:21Take the look at the inner band.
09:24My name is still engraved on it.
09:27My hands started to tremble.
09:30Slowly, I twisted off the ring that had once made my heart leap and turned it over.
09:36Among the delicate filigree, I saw our names Dante and Isabella.
09:39But in a tiny, almost hidden spot was a line in Italian.
09:42In that moment, the world started to spin.
09:44I looked at Dante, desperate for him to explain.
09:46To deny it, to tell me it was all a mistake.
09:48But he wouldn't meet my eyes.
09:50He just stood there, silent.
09:51I remembered the day he proposed.
09:53He was on one knee, looking at me with so much love.
09:55I had this ring custom made just for you.
09:57It's one of a kind in the world, just like you are in my heart.
10:00I cried, thinking I was the luckiest woman alive.
10:02It turned out the ring was never meant for me.
10:04It belonged to Chiaca.
10:06It had her name on it.
10:07It was a promise of his love for her and me.
10:09I was just the placeholder.
10:11Right then, I was so glad I had signed them.
10:13Chiola's eyes lit up.
10:14She snatched the ring, slipped it onto her own finger, and admired it.
10:18Thank you, Isabella.
10:19It really does suit me.
10:21Dante stepping forward to grab my hand.
10:25Isabella, let me explain.
10:27Don't bother.
10:28Since we're divorced, I shouldn't be living here anymore.
10:30My office.
10:319 a.m. tomorrow.
10:32We'll finish the paperwork.
10:34Isabella, wait!
10:35Please!
10:36Nice one, Dante.
10:37She fooled even faster than when Luca and I got her to sign our marriage contracts.
10:41I heard him call my name behind me.
10:43His voice laced with panic.
10:44I didn't stop.
10:45Chiara can't wait much longer.
10:47Let's head out tomorrow.
10:48In the elevator, I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
10:51No tears.
10:52Just a dull ache in my chest.
10:55Once the car was moving, my phone buzzed.
10:57Isabella, I will explain about the ring.
10:59Find a place to stay for now, and I'll come get you in a few days.
11:02Be good.
11:03Don't overthink things.
11:04I looked at the message, a sneer playing on my lips.
11:07He still thinks I'm coming back.
11:10I deleted the text and sent one to my father.
11:12Father, I am divorced.
11:13That arranged marriage you mentioned is the offer still on the table.
11:16He replied almost instantly.
11:17Of course, my dear daughter.
11:19I am glad you finally made a wise decision.
11:21A year ago, after my second divorce, my father had suggested an arranged marriage to a man
11:26from a powerful allied family.
11:27But I was lost in my fantasy of being in love with Dante, and refused.
11:31How stupid I had been.
11:32Half an hour later, I got a new friend request on my phone.
11:35The message read,
11:36Time to meet your fiancée.
11:38The next morning at 9, I arrived at my downtown office with the Romano family's private lawyer.
11:43Dante was already there, looking exhausted and anxious.
11:46He clearly hadn't slept.
11:48Isabella, about the ring, I have to explain.
11:51The jeweler messed up the engraving.
11:53I was going to get it replaced, but there wasn't time,
11:55and I didn't want to upset you over something so small.
11:58I listened silently, feeling nothing.
12:00I figured I'd quietly get you a new one after the wedding.
12:02Isabella, I know this hurt you, but you have to believe me, what I feel for you is real.
12:05After this month, after I handle things with Chiara, we'll get remarried.
12:08I promise I'll make it up to you with the most beautiful wedding ring in the world.
12:11One month, he meant that after he finished his romantic toy with Chiaga,
12:14he expected to remarry me like nothing happened.
12:17I understand.
12:18Let's just get this done.
12:25Dante looked stunned, probably not expecting me to be so cooperative.
12:29The whole process was quicker than I thought.
12:32Signatures, witnesses, a legally binding contract.
12:35In less than half an hour, our marriage was officially over.
12:40The moment we stepped out of the office, Dante's phone rang.
12:43He glanced at the caller ID, and his whole face softened.
12:47He answered, his voice gentle.
12:49Chiara, okay, I'm on my way.
12:50Don't worry, I'll take care of you.
12:51Wait for me, I'll be right there.
12:54Isabella, Chiara isn't feeling well.
12:55I have to go check on her.
12:56Wait here for me, and I'll be back to take you wherever you're staying.
12:58Then he rushed off without a second glance.
13:01I stood in the lobby, watching his hurried retreat, a wave of sadness and relief washing
13:05over me.
13:06That was the man I once loved so deeply.
13:10Not one minute after our divorce was final, he was already running to another woman.
13:15I turned and walked toward a conference room at the other end of the hall.
13:19My new fiancé was waiting.
13:21Meanwhile, after waiting by the building's entrance for nearly ten minutes and seeing
13:24no sign of Isabella, Dante decided to go back up to remind her about the plan.
13:29Just as he reached the entrance, he slammed right into a man walking out, papers scattered
13:33across the marble floor.
13:35Dante's divorce decree mixed with the other man's documents.
13:38A gust of wind from the revolving door flipped open the cover of one file.
13:42It was a marriage contract.
13:43As Dante bent down to grab his papers, he caught a glimpse of the photo on that contract.
13:47He froze.
13:48He only saw a small part of it, but that profile, the side of that face.
13:52Excuse me.
13:53The man said politely, quickly gathering his files.
13:57Dante looked up, trying to get a clear look at the man's face, but he'd already put on
14:01a pair of sunglasses, revealing only a sharp jawline and thin lips.
14:05There was an aristocratic air about him that felt strangely familiar to Dante.
14:09It's fine.
14:10Dante replied, but his eyes were glued to the marriage contract in the man's hands.
14:14The man finished collecting his things and headed for the exit.
14:17Dante stood rooted to the spot.
14:19That picture on the marriage contract.
14:21Even just a corner of it.
14:23Why did it look so familiar?
14:24And he felt like he'd seen this man somewhere before.
14:27That calm, imposing aura.
14:29That air of old world power.
14:30An absurd thought flashed through his mind.
14:33Hey, wait!
14:34He yelled, chasing after the man who was about to get into a car.
14:38Just as Dante called out to the man, his phone rang.
14:41It was Luca.
14:42He hesitated, then picked up.
14:44Dante, where the hell are you?
14:46We're all waiting.
14:47Luca's voice was urgent.
14:49When Dante looked up again, the man was gone.
14:51A black Rolls Royce peeled around the corner.
14:55Shit!
14:56He muttered.
14:57A second later, a text from Marco came through with coordinates.
15:01Get a move on.
15:03We need to be on the private island in the Bahamas before sunset.
15:06Chiara is waiting.
15:07Dante stared at the screen, and a memory hit him.
15:10A promise he'd buried for years.
15:13It was Chiara's dream, back when they graduated high school.
15:17She wanted to take everyone to that secret private island and party for three days straight.
15:22Watch the most beautiful sunset, and drink the strongest shit they could find.
15:28Security on the island was tight.
15:30He was the only one with an invite.
15:32This was something only he could do for her.
15:34He glanced back at the building, wondering if he should go up and give Isabella a heads up.
15:39But time was short.
15:41It was just for a month.
15:42When he got back, everything would go back to normal.
15:47Dante shook his head, pushing the thought of the mysterious man out of his mind, and drove
15:52to the private airfield.
15:54When he got there, everyone was already waiting.
15:56Chiara was in a red dress, the sea breeze blowing through her long hair.
15:59The diamond necklace around her neck glittered in the setting sun.
16:02He'd bought her that necklace for her 17th birthday with six months of his allowance.
16:06She was still wearing it.
16:07Dante stood at the bottom of the jet stairs looking at her, and it was like they were kids
16:11again, ten years ago.
16:12Back then, Chiara had just moved to Chicago from Italy, wearing the same kind of red dress,
16:17looking at them with a shy but hopeful expression.
16:20As he was lost in the memory, a pang of guilt hit him.
16:23He hadn't given Isabella many gifts.
16:25The Romano family had everything.
16:27She didn't need luxury.
16:28He'd only given her a simple diamond bracelet for her birthday, but she'd worn it every single
16:32day like a treasure.
16:33He suddenly remembered signing the divorce papers today.
16:36Isabella's wrist had been bare.
16:38The bracelet was gone.
16:39The realization made his stomach drop.
16:41Dante?
16:42What are you thinking about?
16:44We've been waiting forever.
16:46You're late, so you have to take three shots as punishment.
16:50Chiara ran over and hooked her arm through his, her voice a playful whine.
16:53The warmth of her arm and the sparkle in her eyes as she looked up at him threw him back
16:57to their teenage years.
16:58His voice soft, a fond smile on his face.
17:01All right, I'll take my punishment.
17:03The guy saw the vibe and started whooping and hollering, a knowing glint in their eyes.
17:07Dante still got it bad for Chiara.
17:09By the time they reached the island villa, the sky was dark.
17:13On the terrace, a party was in full swing.
17:15A gentle sea breeze blew as stars glittered overhead, and glasses clinked.
17:20Just as Dante was about to hand Chiara a glass of champagne, Marco intercepted, swapping the
17:25flute in her hand for a glass of juice.
17:27You're sick, no booze, Marco said, his eyes full of concern.
17:31Chiara took the juice.
17:32What are you talking about?
17:33The air froze, everyone stared.
17:35Dante's champagne glass hung in midair.
17:37His eyes locked on Chiara.
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