- 7 minutes ago
- #asm
His Stolen Bride, My Mafia King #ASM
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00has a savage tradition known as the claiming rooted in old honor codes and mafia control
00:05it demands the groom steal his bride away at midnight fighting through her family's guards
00:09to prove his power and write to her i waited three years for dominic at last he and his men
00:14slipped into my courtyard i was ready to run to him until i heard his hushed order grab bianca in
00:19the chaos she's fragile if she's sold off to the don of the valentino family to settle the debt
00:24she won't survive the night as for elena she'll fight like hell she'll keep herself safe the men
00:29hesitated dominic you and elena are already married if she finds out she'll burn this place to the
00:34ground let her it's dark enough the case of mistaken identity during the claiming will be easy to
00:40explain i'll calm her down later he paused his voice turning icy besides the marriage license she signed
00:47was a forgery i promised bialca a safe life in palermo she's my priority i heard every word from
00:53behind the door i didn't scream i didn't cry i just slipped back into the room they'd expected
00:59me to fight to hurt anyone who tried to take me instead i silently climbed onto the back of the
01:05man
01:06who'd broken into my chamber and became his bride elena my contact at the registry checked
01:13you you weren't actually dominic's legal wife something inside my chest shattered i'd lived as
01:19dominic's wife for five years all that time the russo family never accepted me his mother never
01:26used my name only ever referring to me as that girl at family galas i was always seated at the
01:32farthest table in official portraits i was placed at the edge so i could be easily cropped out dominic
01:38said his mother wouldn't let up until i broke so he sent me back to the meretti estate he promised
01:43he'd follow our traditions and complete the formal claiming ritual to bring me back as his donna
01:48then the russo family would have no choice but to accept me i waited for three years i'd held my
01:54tongue longing for this night but he'd come for another woman he'd kept me deceived for years with
02:00a forged marriage license all to hide the truth the one he truly meant to claim was my half-sister
02:05bianca i stared at my reflection my face was empty shouts exploded in the courtyard the ritual had begun
02:15laughter rang out boots thudded against stone and guards put on a show of resisting ritual torches
02:20painted half the sky red all the excitement was for them the celebration was for bianca the other
02:27group of men had come from the valentino family they'd originally come for bianca by the rules of
02:32the ritual if a woman didn't want to be taken she could hide and send them away empty-handed but
02:37bianca
02:37didn't hide she waited in her room to be taken and the man she waited for was my husband the
02:43room i
02:43was in wasn't mine it was bianca's that afternoon my stepmother pulled me aside for once her voice was
02:50gentle elena stay in bianca's room tonight yours is too far back too quiet they'll never find you
02:55the men coming for bianca are savagers you've always been tough you can handle the rough play bianca
03:01is fragile if she gets caught in the crossfire it'll be a disaster i said nothing i knew exactly
03:07what she meant by the rules of the claiming the groom's men would storm in the woman was expected
03:11to fight and struggle it was called the gauntlet the harder she fought the more valuable she was
03:17considered the groom had to prove he could take her by force those punches and shoves were real
03:22my stepmother studied my face testing me besides dominic has never been to the meredia state at night
03:28the front room he'll find you faster back then i'd only wanted to make things easier for dominic
03:33i agreed i even texted him my room location but they'd been planning this switch all along
03:40a roar of celebration erupted outside we got her the bride is ours laughter and cheering rang out
03:46followed by the sharp crack of celebratory gunfire i listened but didn't move i knew exactly who they'd
03:52taken i could picture dominic carrying bianca through the crowd his men shielding them as guests hurled
03:57objects and blocked their path bianca would hide her face against his back pretending to struggle
04:02how perfect i lowered my gaze moments later my door was kicked in a group of men flooded into the
04:09dark
04:09room their footsteps heavy and chaotic someone seized my arm hands began shoving and striking me
04:15i felt fists slam into my shoulders and back this was the gauntlet the harder the beating the more the
04:21family valued the bride i didn't flinch or resist i let them yank me from my chair and drag me
04:27towards the door at first it felt like a formality but the violence quickly turned ugly
04:33someone slammed my arm against the stone wall
04:40fists began hammering my ribs with real cruel force this was intentional the pain was excruciating
04:47but i didn't make a sound i should have known you were tough elena i finally understood what my
04:53stepmother had meant by calling me tough just when i thought it would never end someone stepped in to
04:59shield me
05:01enough
05:02it was a stranger's voice sharp with fury
05:06he blocked the others shoving the attackers back with his arms
05:11that's the way it works the harder we hit the more she's worth
05:15what rule
05:17his voice dropped to a dangerous growl
05:20this isn't your wife
05:21if someone was beating your woman like a dog would you just stand there and watch
05:25the room went silent
05:28he glanced back at me
05:30in the shadows i could only make out the sharp line of his jaw
05:34then he bent down and hoisted me onto his back
05:38who is he he's taking this ritual way too serious
05:40he carried me out in long steady strides
05:43people chased after us
05:45throwing things and blocking the way
05:47but his grip on my legs never wavered
05:50when he finally carried me out of my private courtyard
05:52he paused to catch his breath
05:57in the distance the faint glow of ritual torches moved
06:01that was the other group
06:02through the bushes i heard their laughter
06:06dominic was at the front
06:07sweat soaked but wearing a triumphant smile
06:10bianca was on his back
06:12her arms wrapped tight around his neck
06:14his men were cheering
06:18i lay silent on the stranger's back as they drew near
06:23torchlight flickered across my face
06:25dominic's eyes flicked over me
06:27and letui the bemorme me for a split second
06:29then his gaze moved on
06:31turning back to his men as he joked and laughed
06:33he didn't recognize me
06:36bianca whispered something in his ear
06:38and he leaned in with a soft smile
06:41i suddenly thought back to three years ago
06:43when i'd returned to the meretti estate
06:45to visit my father and stayed for a while
06:47the first time dominic came to find me there
06:49he'd worn that exact same smile
06:51that day my father's men put him to the test
06:54they blocked him at the gates and roughed him up
06:56just to see if a russo truly cared for a meretti girl
06:59he'd shown up at my door with a split lip and bruised ribs
07:03i asked if it hurt
07:04for my wife i'd take a lot worse
07:07he was a spoiled russo heir who'd never been hurt before
07:10yet he'd taken a beating from my father's men
07:12just for me
07:13he always acted like it was nothing
07:15but i knew the truth
07:16my father's men didn't go easy on outsiders
07:19another time it poured rain
07:21he showed up soaked to the bone
07:24his shirt torn
07:25but the pastries tucked inside his jacket were still dry
07:29i called him an idiot for coming out in weather like that
07:32didn't want you to wait too long
07:34i held those pastries
07:36staring at the cut on his cheek and thought
07:38this is the man i'll spend my life with
07:41but now he carried bianca with that exact same smile
07:45come on bianca
07:47my vision blurred for a second
07:49then sharpened again
07:50not gonna drop me are you
07:52no never
07:52are you sure
07:53are you sure
07:53when did it all start to change
07:55probably three years ago
07:57when my father died
07:58i felt completely hollow inside
08:00i'll handle it
08:01dominic cancelled everything to stay at the meretti estate with me for two weeks
08:05the day he had to leave
08:07he took my hand and spoke softly
08:10elena
08:10you just got through the funeral and you look awful
08:12if my mother sees you like this she'll start on you again
08:15i don't want you putting up with that
08:16just stay here at the estate and rest
08:18you've always wanted to take over the family business
08:19right
08:20i'll go back and smooth things over at home
08:22then come get you
08:22i looked at him and nodded
08:24i was truly exhausted from the constant fighting with his mother
08:27back then i believed he was looking out for me
08:30that he didn't want me to go back and face those cold stares
08:33only later did i realize distance doesn't create beauty
08:36it just makes it easier for him to love someone else
08:39last year when mrs russo turned 60
08:41dominic came to bring me back
08:43the moment i stepped inside i saw my stepsister bianca
08:46she was supposed to be in palermo for work
08:49but there she was in the living room
08:50arranging fruit her movements smooth and familiar
08:53so she lived here now
08:55dominic paused while taking off his shoes and explained
08:58bianca's workplace is near our house
08:59she's staying here temporarily
09:01there wasn't a trace of guilt in his voice
09:03and i didn't push for more
09:05my stepmother had married into the moretti family
09:07long after bianca and i were grown
09:09we'd never been close
09:11over the years we'd only seen each other during holidays
09:13i couldn't quite put into words how i felt about her staying there
09:17hey sis
09:19don't worry i'm just crashing here for a bit
09:21i'll move out once i find a place
09:23i nodded but said nothing
09:25back then i never could have imagined
09:27for three years i waited alone in the empty moretti estate
09:30and all that time my little sister had been working in the russo house
09:34now watching bianca on dominic's back
09:36it all suddenly clicked
09:38i hadn't been waiting for him to bring me home at all
09:40i'd been waiting for my heart to die
09:43bianca's voice drifted closer on the wind
09:45what about elena
09:46if she finds out she'll lose it
09:48she's all bark and no bite
09:50she'll get over it after throwing a fit
09:52he paused his voice lowering
09:54it's pitch black during the claiming
09:56i just made a mistake
09:57she'll feel sorry for me before she even gets angry
10:00when she finds out i'll just smooth it over
10:04bianca laughed softly
10:06my knuckles whitened
10:07one of his men spoke up suddenly
10:09kappa what if someone else claimed elena
10:11the group fell quiet
10:13then dominic laughed
10:14you think she'd let anyone take her without a fight
10:16with that temper of hers she'll tear the place apart tonight
10:19true
10:19no way elena goes quietly
10:21feel sorry for that poor bastard
10:23wonder what he looks like now
10:25the laughter swelled
10:26i looked down
10:27let's go
10:28he must have heard everything
10:30heard them laughing about me
10:32heard how they thought i'd tear the roof off
10:35but he said nothing
10:36he just kept walking
10:37at the gate of the meretti estate
10:39we ran straight into them
10:41torchlight flickered over us
10:44luca
10:45yeah
10:46it really is you
10:48you claiming someone tonight too
10:50yeah
10:51which family
10:55a neighbor family
10:58casso man
10:59always figured you'd stay single forever
11:01congrats
11:03dominic took a step forward
11:05i felt his gaze linger on my back
11:07that look lasted too long
11:09long enough i almost thought he'd recognized me
11:13let's go
11:14wait
11:18dominic
11:19my ankle hurts
11:20what's wrong
11:22did you twist it earlier
11:24i don't know
11:25i don't know
11:25it just aches
11:27let's go
11:27we need to get to your place before sunrise
11:30dominic didn't waste another second
11:31gonna run
11:32i'll buy you a drink next time
11:36their footsteps faded into the distance
11:42he really didn't recognize you
11:44i rested my face against his shoulder and said nothing
11:47my eyes stung
11:49his pace slowed
11:50steps gentle and steady
11:52the moon was bright
11:53the road stretched on
11:55i had no idea where he was taking me
11:57but in that moment i thought
11:58anywhere was better than going back
12:02music filled the russo estate hall
12:05the whole place buzzed with celebration
12:07wine flowed freely
12:09and couples danced to old songs
12:11this was the party after a successful claiming
12:15by tradition it would last until sunrise
12:17dominic sat at the edge of the crowd
12:19phone in hand
12:20no messages from elena
12:22that wasn't like her
12:25she never kept things bottled up
12:27if she found out i claimed the wrong woman
12:30she would have called screaming by now
12:31i already had my excuses
12:34it was pitch black
12:36don't overthink it
12:37you're the only one i want
12:39i'll wait for her to blow up over the phone
12:41then talk her down gently
12:43she'd hurl some threat
12:44and he'd smooth it over
12:45done
12:46she never stayed mad at me for long
12:49but this time
12:50no call
12:51no text
12:52no yelling
12:55capo
12:55still waiting elena
12:56don't bother
12:57signal shit out here
12:59her area gets fine signal
13:00then her phone's probably dead
13:02or she didn't see it
13:03she's probably off beating someone up right now
13:07dominic stayed quiet
13:09elena had once told him
13:10i set a special ringtone for your messages
13:12don't want to miss them
13:15i'd sit out in the courtyard till midnight
13:17just waiting for you to call
13:20he didn't believe she didn't see it
13:23but he had no better explanation
13:25all right quit overthinking
13:26this is your big night
13:27your bride's waiting for you
13:29what are you doing sitting here
13:31tradition says once you've claimed her
13:33you stay with her all night
13:34finish the ritual
13:35i told beyonce this was temporary
13:38i just got her out of there
13:39i didn't plan on
13:40didn't plan on what
13:41capo this is the claiming
13:42not a game
13:43you took her
13:44you finish it
13:45otherwise you insult her whole family
13:47besides
13:47you and elena have been together for years
13:49she won't care about formalities
13:51just get through tonight
13:52dominic opened his mouth to argue
13:54what are you guys talking about
13:56dominic froze
13:57dominic
13:57i know this one's fake
13:59but can we at least finish the ritual
14:01her eyes glistening
14:03i know you love elena
14:05but can you pretend i'm your bride
14:07just tonight
14:09dominic said nothing
14:11bianca bowed her head
14:12her lashes fluttering
14:15toast the bride
14:16toast the bride
14:18toast the bride
14:20dominic picked up his glass
14:22linking arms with bianca
14:23light danced across both their faces
14:26cheers and laughter erupted around there
14:29loud enough to rattle the walls
14:31his eyes kept straying to the dark road beyond the estate
14:34the same road he'd carried bianca down tonight
14:37at the gate he ran into lucas and toro
14:40they met years ago at a family party
14:45they had a few drinks together
14:48acquaintances at best
14:49that man had been quiet but steady
14:51the kind of man you could trust with your life
14:53tonight luca had been carrying someone too
14:56said she was from another family
14:57she was thin
14:58lying quietly on lucas back
15:00only a glimpse of her neck was visible
15:02the line of that neck
15:03the curve of her bowed head
15:05it had felt strangely familiar
15:07but bianca had cried out in pain
15:09so he hadn't thinked again
15:11dominic dominic
15:13is that okay
15:14yeah
15:15then he stepped aside
15:17pulled out his phone and dialed elena's number
15:20he needed to explain
15:21to make sure she didn't misunderstand
15:28finally someone picked up
15:30hello
15:31background noise
15:33sounds of people moving things
15:37dominic blinked
15:39let me talk to elena
15:42elena
15:45she's not here
15:47we're packing up her stuff to send over
15:49send over
15:51send where
15:53elena never lets her phone leave her hand
15:54where are you sending her things
15:56the woman hesitated
15:57not expecting the question
15:59i'm elena's aunt
16:01we have to pack her things
16:02and send to her husband's house
16:03husband's house
16:05so elena was preparing
16:06to move back in with me
16:08that made sense
16:09he'd always planned to bring her back
16:11after the claiming
16:12stop leaving her at the marathi estate alone
16:15auntie
16:15about the claiming tonight
16:17there was a bit of a mix-up
16:19did elena say anything
16:20no several families did claiming tonight
16:23what would elena have to say
16:24despite the words
16:25a sense of unease surged in him
16:27oh i can't talk anymore
16:29we're busy packing
16:30both elena and bianca were taken tonight
16:33we have to get their things ready
16:34dominic froze
16:36what did she mean
16:37both were taken
16:39didn't i only take bianca
16:41as for elena
16:42she would never go with someone she didn't love
16:44auntie
16:45you said elena was taken
16:47yes
16:47by the santori family
16:49dominic's throat tightened
16:50he couldn't speak
16:51he suddenly remembered something
16:53and his mind exploded
16:56santori
16:57luca
16:58the man he met at the gate
17:00the one carrying a girl
17:01saying she was his bride
17:03that silhouette
17:04that looked so familiar
17:06elena
17:07elena
17:07she didn't fight
17:08fight
17:09why would she
17:10a claiming isn't a bad thing
17:12she was as quiet as she could be
17:14she just went with him
17:15we all thought it was strange
17:16with her temper
17:17shouldn't she have beaten the man
17:19but nothing happened
17:20she just let him carry her away
17:22dominic's hand began to shake
17:24quiet as she could be
17:26just let him carry her away
17:28no that wasn't elena
17:31no
17:32that wasn't elena
17:33that wasn't the elena i knew
17:34he remembered talking to elena
17:37about claimings before
17:38she had sat on his doorstep
17:40swinging her legs
17:41speaking excitedly
17:42the girls in moretti family
17:45if they're claimed by someone
17:46they don't like
17:47they don't just let them
17:48they kick
17:49bite
17:50and scratch
17:50they fight until the man
17:52gives up himself
17:53you're so wild
17:54who would dare claim you
17:58well it depends on
17:59who's coming
18:01if it's you
18:05i just put on a show
18:06of struggling a little
18:08for appearances
18:10just a little
18:12three times at most
18:14if you came to claim me
18:15i'd probably be the first
18:16to jump on your back
18:17so you wouldn't have
18:18to take those hits
18:18this girl is so foolish
18:20auntie elena
18:22when was she taken
18:24when
18:25tonight
18:26right after you left
18:27dominic opened his mouth
18:29but not a single word
18:30came out
18:30hello
18:32dominic
18:32are you still there
18:34i'm here
18:35why are you asking so much
18:37elena's husband
18:38will take care of her
18:39you claimed bianca
18:40tonight didn't you
18:41that poor girl's
18:42had it rough
18:42take good care of her
18:44all right
18:44i have to go
18:45we're still packing
18:46elena left in such a hurry
18:48she forgot so many things
18:49we have to get them to her
18:50bye now
18:51the line went dead
18:52the dial tone rang in his ears
18:54a steady hammering sound
18:56over and over
18:57he stood at the edge of the crowd
18:59white knuckling his phone
19:01around him were songs
19:02laughter
19:03music
19:04all the noise of celebration
19:06someone walked past
19:07slapping his shoulder
19:08in congratulations
19:09someone shoved a drink
19:10into his hand
19:11tugging him toward the dance floor
19:13bianca waved at him
19:14from across the fire
19:15a soft smile on her face
19:17but he couldn't hear a thing
19:18while he'd been carrying
19:19bianca away
19:20elena had been lying
19:21on another man's back
19:23they had passed each other
19:24in the dark
19:24he'd thought she would fight
19:26scream
19:26resist
19:27but she did nothing
19:29capo
19:30where the hell are you going
19:32to get my wife
19:33what wife
19:34you claim bianca tonight
19:36you walk out now
19:37you insult the whole
19:38moretti family
19:39this was temporary
19:42getting bianca out of
19:43a bad situation
19:43that's it
19:44temporary
19:45capo you completed the ritual
19:47the whole palermo
19:48knows bianca's yours now
19:49you leave her tonight
19:50she's got no standing
19:51no protection
19:53bianca stood by the fire
19:54watching him
19:55eyes uncertain
19:56one night
19:58stay tonight
19:59keep up appearances
20:01tomorrow you can do
20:02whatever you want
20:03but tonight
20:05you owe bianca that much
20:06dominic clenched his fist
20:08then slowly let go
20:09he walked back to the fire
20:13where
20:15were you going
20:17nowhere
20:18bianca lowered her head
20:19not asking more
20:20that night he sat by the fire
20:22watching the flames flicker and die
20:24he watched the people come and go
20:26watched the moon rise
20:27and slowly set
20:28he called elena countless times
20:30it was always off
20:33at dawn he rose and left
20:35dominic
20:36he didn't look back
20:38he drove back to corleone
20:41the sun was just rising
20:42the hounds were baying
20:44and the morning mist was lifting from the vineyards
20:46he stopped an old groundskeeper and asked where luca's villa was
20:50the man pointed toward a newly built villa at the foot of the hill
20:54he ran over
20:55the iron gates stood open
20:57but the house was empty
21:01looking for don luca
21:02he left at dawn with his new bride
21:04said there was urgent family business and had to return
21:07dominic stood frozen in place
21:11when did they come back
21:12how should i know
21:14dominic stood before that empty house for a long time without moving
21:18he pulled out his phone and called elena again
21:22still off
21:23he scrolled through his contacts and realized he didn't even have luca's number
21:28they were never close
21:29he didn't know where luca lived
21:30what city he was in
21:32he knew nothing
21:33he only remembered last night
21:35the way elena had lain so quietly on that man's back
21:38he rushed back to the russo estate
21:40picked up bianca
21:41and headed back to palermo
21:43the whole way
21:44bianca was quiet
21:45occasionally glancing at him
21:47wanting to speak
21:48he didn't want to talk
21:49so she didn't ask
21:51but elena wasn't at their home
21:53he had failed again
21:54in the days that followed
21:56his mind was still trapped in that claiming
22:01just a little more
22:02just a little more
22:03and he could have stopped his woman from being taken
22:07dominic
22:09she no longer called him brother-in-law
22:11she held a cup of warm milk
22:14you haven't eaten much these past few days
22:17drink some milk
22:18thank you
22:19bianca didn't leave
22:20she sat beside him
22:21i need to talk to you
22:23your mother refused to let you legally marry my sister
22:26that was her condition for tolerating the relationship
22:29so you gave elena a fake certificate
22:31to make her believe you were committed
22:34then to save me from the valentino family
22:37you are registered a real marriage
22:40with me
22:41bianca lowered her head
22:43her lashes trembling
22:44you claimed me in front of the families
22:46completed the ritual
22:48made me your donna
22:50dominic since it has come to this
22:52why don't we simply be together
22:54dominic froze
22:56what did you say
22:57do you dare say you don't truly like me
23:00you legally married me
23:03you completed the claiming ritual
23:05you made me your donna
23:08you say it was to save me from valentino
23:10but you never had to go that far
23:12just admit it
23:13you like me
23:16as for elena
23:17she's just not right for you
23:19all she cares about is her dad's business
23:21she never even thinks about helping you with your work
23:23or fitting in with your crowd
23:25what's she even gonna give you
23:27but i'm different
23:29i know what you want
23:30and i know how to make your mom happy
23:31i can give you way more than she ever could
23:35dominic looked into those eyes
23:37that were nothing like elena's
23:38elena's eyes were bright
23:40like stars in the mountains
23:41no secrets
23:42no pretense
23:43happy was happy
23:44sad was sad
23:46plain and simple
23:47but bianca's eyes were soft
23:49like a pool of water
23:50that could pull you under
23:51before you even realized it
23:53he suddenly asked himself
23:54back when he'd go to the meretti estate
23:56bringing things for elena
23:57did he always bring a little something
23:59for bianca too
24:02and later
24:03when bianca said her sister
24:04got the family business
24:05she had to find work
24:07was it just because he felt sorry
24:09for how fragile she seemed
24:10that he let her move into his home
24:12he wasn't sure anymore
24:13was that casual kindness
24:15he'd shown her over the past three years
24:17really just a coincidence
24:18and when he saw bianca smile
24:20was that feeling in his chest
24:22really just the affection of a brother
24:24he didn't know when it started
24:25or perhaps he always knew
24:27but refused to admit it
24:29he only knew one thing for certain
24:30elena was the one he was supposed to marry
24:33the wife he chose
24:34the girl he was willing to give up everything
24:38dominic snapped back
24:39looking at her
24:40but thinking of elena
24:41thinking of her lying on that man's back
24:43thinking of how she hadn't said a word
24:45thinking of how she hadn't even bothered to struggle
24:47his heart felt as if a piece had been savagely carved out
24:50so the mistaken identity
24:52he thought no one knew
24:53elena had seen it all
24:55so she walked away in the other direction
25:00not long after his mother arrived
25:02walked in already lecturing
25:04since you and bianca are registered
25:06just live your lives
25:07why are you constantly thinking about that woman
25:10who ran off with another man
25:12and hasn't even come home
25:13dominic knew she would say this
25:15in these three years
25:16bianca had charmed her well
25:18she made her almost forget
25:19who it was that used to be insulted in the kitchen
25:22who worked until midnight
25:23without a word of thanks
25:25bianca knew how to act cute
25:26how to speak softly
25:28how to buy expensive gifts to make her smile
25:30and elena? elena didn't know these things
25:33elena only knew how to work hard
25:35how to be good to him
25:36how to stand there and wait to be seen
25:38but she was never seen
25:40mother
25:42elena didn't run off
25:44if that isn't running off
25:46what is
25:46she was claimed
25:48claiming our normal out there
25:50if she had you in her heart
25:51why hasn't she come back?
25:53because i have no right to ask her to
25:55his mother froze
25:57back then
25:58you said the only condition for accepting her
26:01was not registering the marriage
26:03so
26:04the contract i had with her was fake
26:06from beginning to end
26:08she was never truly my wife
26:10since she isn't back
26:11i have no standing to look for her
26:13if she wants to marry someone else
26:16his throat tightened
26:17i don't even have the right to object
26:20then who do you blame?
26:22i did interfere with the registration
26:23but the rest was your choice
26:25if you didn't like bianca
26:26why did you claim her?
26:28why did you register with her?
26:30dominic's throat choked
26:31he couldn't explain
26:33saying bianca was to help her leave
26:35registering was for her status
26:36but saying those things now felt pathetic
26:39even to him
26:40by helping her
26:41he had lost himself
26:42i'm telling you
26:44everyone in the family knows about you and bianca
26:46you legally married that girl
26:48you claimed her in front of the families
26:51you made her your donna
26:53and now you want to discard her?
26:55what does that say about the russo family?
26:59we're divorced
27:01what?
27:02we divorced two months ago
27:05i couldn't live with her
27:08then what do you want to do now?
27:10what did he want?
27:11he wanted to laugh
27:11he wanted to find elena
27:13but with what?
27:14he didn't even know if she still hated him
27:16he didn't even have the chance to use a divorce
27:18to force her to see him
27:19three years later
27:21you're either locked in the moretti estate
27:23or driving across sicily chasing a ghost
27:24get out for once
27:26dominic
27:27every family sends someone tonight
27:29you should show your face
27:30the hall was crowded with the elite
27:32of the most powerful syndicates
27:35dominic wandered through it aimlessly
27:37eyes passing over each face
27:39and moving on
27:40three years
27:41he thought sometimes
27:42after her father died
27:43she had nobody left
27:44maybe that's why she never went back to moretti estate
27:47she'd had him once
27:48but what had he done with that?
27:50he'd made her wait three years
27:51then carried another woman out right in front of her
27:54what had he actually given her?
27:56a fake marriage license?
27:58empty words?
27:59three years of his mother's contempt?
28:02he'd watched every bit of it
28:03and never once stepped in front of it
28:05and in the end
28:06on what should have been the best night of her life
28:09he walked away from her for good
28:11was she somewhere doing well now?
28:13had she already forgotten him?
28:21dominic
28:21isn't that elena?
28:23the man was in a black shirt
28:25focused
28:25unhurried
28:26the woman beside him
28:30she was speaking to someone
28:32and her eyes curved into a smile
28:34that was the person he'd been looking for for three years
28:36standing right there
28:38close enough to see
28:41elena
29:00she looked at him the way you look at someone you half recognize
29:03i'm sorry
29:04do we know each me?
29:05i'm terrible with faces
29:06she looked at him again more carefully
29:09mr russo
29:10it's been a while
29:11she genuinely hadn't recognized him
29:14three years
29:15dominic was gaunt and weathered
29:17no longer the handsome
29:18dashing man he had once been
29:19luca looked up then
29:21and glanced at him
29:22he said nothing
29:23simply stepping closer to elena's side
29:25it was a natural
29:27protective stance
29:28you two
29:29are you truly truly together?
29:33elena turned slightly to look at luca
29:35that look was soft
29:37certain
29:38and natural
29:40mr russo let me introduce you
29:42this is my wife
29:43during the claiming you met her remember?
29:46wife?
29:47that's
29:47how can that count?
29:49that was a mistake
29:50a blunder
29:51it was dark
29:51and i claimed the wrong person
29:53claimed the wrong person?
29:54mr russo
29:55in our tradition
29:56a claiming isn't a kidnapping
29:57it's a silent agreement between families
30:00if the girl doesn't want it
30:01can she be taken?
30:04if she truly didn't want to go
30:06she would have beat me
30:07until my own mother
30:08didn't recognize me
30:12the words were a knife
30:14in dominic's chest
30:14he remembered what elena had said
30:17if it's someone i don't like
30:19i'll fight until he don't recognize himself
30:21but the truth was
30:22she had lain quietly
30:24on luca's back
30:25without a single sound
30:26he stood there
30:27watching elena turn her head
30:29to meet the other man's gaze
30:30if you're here on russo business
30:32i can point you to the right people
30:33if not you're in the way
30:37elena
30:38listen to me
30:38listen to what?
30:39listen to you say the marriage was fake?
30:41listen to you tell me about your plan
30:42to swap brides
30:43so the fragile bianca wouldn't suffer?
30:45you
30:46you heard all that?
30:49mr russo
30:51meeting today is fate
30:52but it doesn't mean you can harass my wife
30:55luca
30:56she's my wife
30:57luca said nothing
30:59only looked down at elena
31:01he had explained this to his wife before
31:03that night he had followed the crew to the maradi estate
31:07but not for himself
31:08his cousin had wanted bianca
31:10and dragged him along for support
31:12he couldn't refuse
31:14so he went
31:15but at the edge of the estate
31:17the cousin suddenly clutched clutched his stomach
31:20his face pale
31:22i can't i can't
31:24that wine at lunch was bad
31:26i need a place
31:27he waved him off
31:28you go ahead
31:29find bianca and hide her
31:30actually she doesn't like me
31:31i just wanted to try if she'd accept me
31:34if she won't
31:35we'll just leave
31:36don't let her suffer
31:37with that he vanished into the trees
31:39luca stood in the darkness
31:41feeling ridiculous
31:44he came to help with a claiming
31:45and the groom had run off
31:48he stood there
31:50not knowing whether to stay or go
31:53later
31:54he went in
31:56not to claim anyone
31:57but to find bianca
32:05and tell her to hide
32:08luca said nothing
32:09only looked down at elena
32:11he had explained this to his wife before
32:13that night he had followed the crew to the maradi estate
32:16but not for himself
32:18his cousin had wanted bianca
32:20and dragged him along for support
32:21he couldn't refuse
32:22so he went
32:23i can't i can't
32:24that wine at lunch was bad
32:25i need a place
32:26he waved him off
32:27you go ahead
32:27find bianca and hide her
32:29actually she doesn't like me
32:30i just wanted to try if she'd accept me
32:32if she won't
32:32we'll just leave
32:33don't let her suffer
32:34with that
32:35he vanished in the darkness
32:36feeling ridiculous
32:37he came to help with a claiming
32:39and the groom had run off
32:40he stood there
32:41not knowing whether to stay or go
32:44later
32:44he went in
32:46not to claim anyone
32:47but to find bianca
32:49and tell her to hide
32:50then another crew
32:51poured through the door
32:52and started throwing their weight around
32:54first it was the motions
32:56then it started being rude
32:57she didn't move
32:59didn't fight back
33:00just sat there and took it
33:02he couldn't watch it
33:03he walked over
33:04crouched down in front of her
33:06do you want to leave?
33:08she looked at him
33:09and her eyes turned home
33:11but she didn't crew
33:12she simply nended
33:14and climbed onto his back
33:15perhaps that was fate
33:19if his cousin
33:20hadn't had a stomach ache
33:21perhaps in her despair
33:22she really would have gone with
33:24or perhaps
33:24after they found the mistake
33:26they would have parted ways peacefully
33:27treated the night as a blunder
33:28but there are no ifs
33:30he and elena decided to give each other a chance
33:32so they made the claiming real
33:34and so
33:34they found their current happiness
33:36elena suddenly called his name
33:38her voice soft
33:39didn't you get your wish
33:40and claim bianca
33:43dominic's throat choked
33:45i
33:46bianca
33:47he and bianca
33:48had divorced long ago
33:49but what point was there
33:51in saying that now
33:52elena i claimed the wrong one
33:54that night
33:55i was supposed to claim you
33:56i thought you'd fight
33:58i thought you'd
33:58i never imagined
33:59bianca kind
34:00i'll give bianca back to you
34:01i'll give everything back to you
34:03give elena back to me
34:04elena smiled
34:05a light faint smile
34:06dominic
34:07a claiming isn't a game
34:08in our traditions
34:09a mistake is the will of heaven
34:11heaven willed me to go with him
34:12so i went
34:13heaven willed me to go with him
34:15so i went
34:15you claimed bianca
34:17and i married luca
34:19we're even
34:21dominic stood there
34:22shaking
34:22he saw luca gently put an arm
34:24around her shoulder
34:25he wanted to chase them
34:27but he couldn't move
34:28in the crowd
34:29elena's back grew further
34:31and further away
34:32the rain came suddenly
34:33and the crowd began to disperse
34:36dominic still stood there
34:37in the rain
34:38he suddenly remembered
34:39the summer years ago
34:40when he went to find elena
34:42you fool
34:43i was afraid you'd be waiting
34:44then eyes bright like shanton stars
34:48dominic
34:48i'll wait for you
34:50okay
34:50he'd made her wait for three years
34:52in the rain he suddenly laughed
34:54and he couldn't tell the rain
34:55you would've proclaimed it
34:55you
Comments