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My Mother Died to Crown Me - FULL | DramaReel
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
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Short filmTranscript
00:04Dad is the godfather of the Moretti family, running the city's black market arms trade.
00:09Mom is the only heir of the Severino family.
00:16Mom and Dad's love is a legend in New York's local world.
00:22On the surface, the Severinos run a high-end private hospital.
00:26In reality, they control New York's underground drug trade.
00:28And Mom is the family's top doctor.
00:32Years ago, Dad saved Mom from an assassination attempt.
00:35He got framed for leaking secrets.
00:37Because of that, he loses his chance to become a core member of the East Coast Mafia Commission.
00:41He never regrets it because he loves Mom.
00:44The private medical center outside New York, close to the public, is Dad's gift to Mom.
00:49The night I'm born, Dad hires New York's biggest orchestra to play outside our state all night.
00:54People say I'm the only witness to this legendary love.
00:59Until I'm five, a beautiful woman starts visiting our house often.
01:02She's always by Dad's side.
01:04She corners me in the garden, strokes the toy Dad gave me.
01:08You know, your mom's old now. She can't even hold a scalpel steady.
01:14Only I can protect your dad's future.
01:17Soon, I'll be the one in charge here.
01:21You know, your mom's old now. She can't even hold a scalpel steady.
01:27Only I can protect your dad's future.
01:31Soon, I'll be the one in charge here.
01:33I don't fully understand, but I repeat her words to Mom.
01:36The next day, I hear the family talking about her.
01:39The Moretti family's genius sniper, Vivienne, suffers permanent nerve damage in both hands from an accident.
01:45Mom is in the study, polishing her scalpel blades shining.
01:49Nina, Mom just got rid of a piece of trash for you.
01:54Do you like this gift?
01:57Dad, when are you back?
01:59I barely finish the words when I see him storm past me, face dark, heading straight for the study.
02:04He kicks the door open. Mom sits at the desk, calmly polishing a silver scalpel with a velvet cloth.
02:11Sophia, was this you?
02:13Vivienne's hands, ruined! Her whole life is over!
02:16Do you even know how important she was to me?
02:18Mom looks up.
02:20She was trash.
02:22I cleaned her up.
02:24What's the problem?
02:29What's the problem?
02:34She was a genius.
02:36Do you know how much effort I put into training her as an assassin?
02:40And you just destroy her!
02:42My legs go weak.
02:44That gun, I've seen it.
02:45Dad uses it on every mission.
02:46It's killed countless enemies.
02:48I scream and rush forward, throwing my arms around Mom to shield her.
02:52Dad, you can't hurt Mom!
02:54For a moment, the fire in Dad's eyes wavers when he sees me.
02:58The gun dips slightly.
02:59Mom quickly pulls me into her arms.
03:01I can feel her heart racing, but she's smiling.
03:05So, your subordinates matter more to you than your own daughter?
03:12Sophia, you disappoint me.
03:16Vivienne only admires me.
03:18She did nothing wrong.
03:19It's you!
03:20You can't tolerate anyone!
03:22From today, she stays in our house.
03:25I'll take care of her myself until she recovers.
03:29This is what you owe her.
03:30I watch his broad back disappear.
03:32And for the first time, the legends about Dad, they don't seem so bright anymore.
03:39I watch his broad back disappear.
03:41And for the first time, the legends about Dad, they don't seem so bright anymore.
03:45The next day, Vivienne moves into our house.
03:47She's in a wheelchair, her hands wrapped in thick bandages.
03:50Dad pushes her inside himself.
03:52She stays in the guest room next to Mom and Dad's bedroom that used to be my room.
03:55The one with the best sunlight.
03:57But Dad tells me to give it to her.
03:59Dad hires the most professional private nurses to care for her around the clock.
04:03He even moves his study into her room so he can work while keeping her company.
04:07Dad barely goes anywhere else.
04:09Even at night, he stays in her room.
04:11I often hear laughter, light and happy and Dad's gentle voice soothing her.
04:15Overnight, it feels like Mom and I don't belong in our own home anymore.
04:18Vivienne is a good actor.
04:19When Dad is around, she leans weakly in her wheelchair, speaking softly.
04:23Eyes always red.
04:26Boss, it's my fault.
04:28If I didn't admire you so much, if I didn't hang around,
04:32Mrs. Morella wouldn't have misunderstood my hands.
04:35It's okay.
04:36As long as I see you every day, I'm happy.
04:38Don't worry.
04:39I'll make sure she answers to you.
04:41But the moment Dad leaves, Vivienne's eyes turn sharp as knives.
04:44I'll be back soon, Vivienne.
04:47Clean this room.
04:49A five-year-old brat still playing with such childish things.
04:52Yes, Miss.
04:53Tell Sophia this is compensation.
04:55Her precious daughter now belongs to me.
05:00Tell Sophia this is compensation.
05:03Her precious daughter now belongs to me.
05:07Nina, don't cry.
05:09Remember, when a dog bites you, you don't kill it right away.
05:12You first pull its teeth, cut its claws so it can't bite or scratch.
05:16Then, take your time.
05:19Watch it panic and despair.
05:22I half understand.
05:25That night, a lot of people come to our house.
05:28Doctors from the Severino family hospital and important members of the Moretti family.
05:32Dad thinks Mom will give in.
05:34He relaxes a little.
05:35At the dinner table, Mom raises her glass, smiling calm and graceful.
05:39Tonight, I invited everyone to witness something.
05:42Miss Vivienne was badly injured in an accident, leaving permanent nerve damage in both hands.
05:47As a doctor and godmother of the Moretti family, I feel deeply for her.
05:50So, I've decided to personally handle all her rehab for free.
05:53Using all my resources.
05:55Until she fully recovers.
05:57Dad and Vivienne's faces change instantly.
06:00A killer, doing rehab for her victim.
06:03This isn't treatment, it's torture.
06:05Vivienne's pride is under the scalpel, stripped away one cut at a time.
06:11Vivienne's pride is under the scalpel, stripped away one cut at a time.
06:14Dad almost loses it on the spot.
06:16But he looks around at all the heads of both families in the room and grits his teeth, forcing himself
06:21to stay calm.
06:22Sophia, you.
06:23Mom sets down her wine glass, cutting him off.
06:26What?
06:27You don't trust my medical skills?
06:30Or do you think I'm taking revenge?
06:33Her gaze sweeps the room, landing on the doctors.
06:37What do you think?
06:38Mrs. Moretti is world class.
06:39Of course we trust her.
06:40Yeah, having Mrs. Moretti in charge is Vivienne's luck.
06:43He knows Mom is setting him up, publicly.
06:45In front of all these people, he can't question his wife's skills.
06:48He can't admit she's taking revenge.
06:51If he does, it'll look like the alliance between the Mauritti and Severino families is broken.
06:56For a family boss, that's deadly.
06:58Vivienne sits in her wheelchair, trembling with anger.
07:01Her hands under the bandages seeming to ache all over.
07:05Sophia, don't get smug.
07:06Mr. Moretti won't let you get away with this.
07:09Vivienne.
07:10Relax.
07:12The first step in nerve rehab is electrotherapy.
07:18Don't worry.
07:19I'll handle it myself, making sure the current hits every damaged nerve ending.
07:24Vivienne's face drains of color.
07:26Electroshock therapy.
07:27She knows exactly what that means.
07:33I can already see her struggling on the treatment table.
07:33I'll handle it myself, making sure the current hits every damaged nerve ending.
07:38Vivienne's face drains of color.
07:40Electroshock therapy.
07:41She knows exactly what that means.
07:43I can already see her struggling on the treatment table, screaming at me.
07:48After sending the guests away, Dad finally loses it.
07:51He slams his hand on the table.
07:53Enough, Sophia.
07:54Do you have to be this cruel?
07:56Cruel, Luca.
07:58When you brought that woman home, did you ever think about how I feel?
08:02When you pointed a gun at me for her, did you think about I'm your wife?
08:06When you let her bully your daughter, did you think about being a father?
08:08You're the one who pushed everything to the limit.
08:18Her voice is quiet, but every word cuts straight to the heart.
08:21The whole dining room falls silent.
08:23Dad moves his lips, but no words come out.
08:26Nina, let's go home.
08:31It was my fault, okay?
08:32My fault.
08:33My fault.
08:39It was my fault.
08:41Don't treat me, Felix.
08:42And then what?
08:43I gave you a chance.
08:44I messed everything up.
08:45I apologize, but please don't take my daughter away.
08:47Please.
08:48I'm sorry.
08:49I'm so sorry.
08:51This is supposed to be our home.
08:52It's all my fault.
08:54Please don't leave.
08:55Don't take our daughter with you.
08:57But the way she says it.
08:58It's time to go.
09:03Please don't leave.
09:04Please don't leave.
09:06It feels like stepping into a cold, empty hotel.
09:16After that night, Dad gives in.
09:18He can't risk his future and reputation.
09:20Vivian's rehab treatment is set.
09:22The location is the private medical center, Dad once gifted Mom outside New York.
09:27The next day, Mom moves us there.
09:28She says the house is too dirty and needs disinfecting.
09:31The retreat is beautiful like a fairytale castle, but the air feels heavy and tense.
09:36Every nurse and doctor bows respectfully when they see Mom, eyes full of awe and fear.
09:40Vivian's treatment room is at the very back.
09:42I sneak a peek once.
09:44Through thick glass, I see Vivian strapped to the table.
09:47Mom wears her white coat and mask, eyes cold and focused.
09:51She holds two metal probes, moving them along Vivian's arms.
09:54Every touch makes Vivian's body jerk violently.
09:57She lets out muffled, sharp screams.
09:59The sound.
10:00It's like nail scraping glass, piercing my ears.
10:04I run back to my room, trembling under the blanket.
10:06Dad comes to see me once.
10:08He looks thinner, bloodshot eyes.
10:10He holds me close, voice force.
10:12Nina, I know Mom's hurting you, but Vivian, she doesn't deserve this.
10:16Please, talk to her.
10:18Make her stop.
10:19She'll break Vivian if this goes on.
10:21I look at him seriously.
10:22Daddy, do you still love Mommy?
10:25He freezes, doesn't answer for a long time.
10:28He just hugs me tighter, as if drawing strength from me.
10:30Nina, grown up things are complicated, you'll understand one day.
10:34I don't understand.
10:35All I know is, Mom is unhappy.
10:37Vivian's screams become the retreat's daily soundtrack.
10:40A month later, they finally release her.
10:42Curls up at the sight of anyone, whispering over and over.
10:45Don't shock me, please.
10:48Don't shock me.
10:48She's gone mad.
10:49When Dad comes to pick her up, he sees her like this.
10:52The cold, ruthless mafia boss.
10:54His eyes are red, almost bleeding.
10:56He doesn't yell at Mom, he doesn't lose his temper.
10:59He just stares at her calmly, eyes like a deep, unfathomable abyss.
11:02Sophia, you win.
11:05He says it quietly.
11:06Mom takes off her glasses, wipes them, voice calm as ever.
11:09The war has only just begun.
11:12Dad carries the broken Vivian out of the retreat.
11:14I think it's over.
11:16I'm wrong.
11:17Dad's counterattack comes faster and harsher.
11:20What he wants to destroy isn't Mom's career or reputation.
11:23It's me.
11:28Dad uses the family connections to transfer me to a new school.
11:31In fact, it is not a school.
11:33It's a training camp run by several East Coast families, designed to turn kids into professional assassins.
11:38He says I'm the future heir of the Moretti family, but Mom has spoiled me too much.
11:42I need real training.
11:43He says it's for my own good, but every other heir gets private education.
11:47No heir ever gets sent to an assassin training camp.
11:49Mom disagrees.
11:51Luca!
11:51If you dare touch Nina, I swear to God!
11:54If you like playing games, then let's play.
11:57I want to see whose methods are better.
12:00Your ways of torturing people, or my ways of training.
12:04I'm taken away in a black SUV.
12:06Mom runs after the car, screaming my name heart-wrenching.
12:10I press my face to the window watching her figure shrink until she disappears.
12:13The camp is worse than anything I imagined.
12:15It's hell.
12:17The instructors follow Dad's orders without question.
12:19They're especially strict with me.
12:21At 5 years old, but I train with 10 year olds.
12:23Wake up at 4 AM.
12:25Run 10 kilometers with weights.
12:27Finish or no food.
12:28Days are filled with combat, shooting, obstacle courses.
12:31Kids die here all the time.
12:33Fall down.
12:34No comfort.
12:34Only cold scolding.
12:36Future heir of the Moretti family, this is all you got?
12:39Don't you dare embarrass us!
12:42Crying tears are for the weak!
12:45You wanna be weak?
12:46You die here!
12:47At night, I lie on the cold metal bed, covered in bruises, aching for mom.
12:53I get sick often, running high fevers.
12:55But the doctors are cold, one shot then.
12:58Mr. Morelli said minor illnesses don't need treatment.
13:01Pushing through builds your willpower.
13:03I feel like I'm dying.
13:05One stormy night, I get another high fever.
13:07I hear the dorm door crash open.
13:09A tall figure stands in the doorway.
13:12It's Dad.
13:12He walks to my bed.
13:13Sophia?
13:14Wanna see your daughter?
13:15Red Huch, the abandoned warehouse of the poor.
13:17Come alone.
13:18Don't play games.
13:19Or, you better be ready to collect her body.
13:22He hangs up, roughly lifts me from the bed, wraps me in a blanket, and tosses me into the car.
13:26I don't know where he's taking me.
13:28I only know.
13:29There's no love in his eyes.
13:31Only burning, insane hate.
13:33He's not trying to train me.
13:34He's using me, to drive mom crazy.
13:39The abandoned warehouse looms like a giant beast in the dark.
13:43The air smells of rust and gasoline.
13:45Weeds grow in the cracks of the cracked concrete floor.
13:48Dad ties me to a rusty iron pit.
13:50My fever keeps rising.
13:52I keep screaming for mom.
13:53Mom!
13:54Nina, don't be afraid.
13:56Your mom will be here soon.
13:58Daddy just wants to play a game with her.
14:02A game about choices.
14:04Soon.
14:05The screech of brakes shatters the rainy night.
14:08Mom is here.
14:09She's all alone.
14:10Wearing a thin coat soaked to the bone.
14:12When she sees me tied to the pillar, the normally calm eyes fill with fear and rage.
14:17Luca!
14:18You madman!
14:19Let my daughter go!
14:20Dad smiles standing between us.
14:22See that?
14:23Sophia, Nina's running a fever of a 103.
14:25If we don't treat it, she'll fry her brain and become an idiot.
14:28Mom turns pale as paper.
14:30What do you want?
14:31Simple.
14:31Now you choose.
14:32Jump in yourself?
14:34Or watch your precious daughter burn into a fool?
14:36A cement shoe.
14:37One of the family's cruelest punishments.
14:39Feet go into the cement.
14:41Wait for it to harden and throw the man in the river.
14:43Even the body never floats.
14:44I'll give you ten seconds.
14:46Ten.
14:47Nine.
14:48Mom looks at me.
14:49Tears pouring down.
14:50She seems to be regretting.
14:52Loving a man like this.
14:53Getting tangled with him and dragging her own child into the mess.
14:56Three.
14:58Stop!
14:59I'll jump.
15:00She turns back and creeps at Nadine.
15:02Nina.
15:03I'm sorry.
15:05Mom loves you.
15:08Then she closes her eyes and steps in.
15:21Dad's smile freezes.
15:23He can't believe what's happening.
15:24A familiar figure steps out from behind the soldiers.
15:27It's the head of the medical center the one mom trusts most.
15:30He walks to the iron barrel helps mom down.
15:33Then turns to dad with a pitying smile.
15:35Mr. Moretti.
15:36You lost.
15:37Madam knew you'd try to threaten her with your daughter.
15:40So she replaced all the cement here with ordinary plaster powder beforehand.
15:44Dad is completely stunned.
15:46He looks at the barrel then at mom's safe unharmed and his expression shifts from shock.
15:50To anger.
15:50To total defeat.
15:51Like a tiger with its teeth pulled, he collapses to the ground.
15:55Sophia.
15:56You're cruel.
15:58Mom brushes the plaster from her feet.
15:59Walks up to dad, speaking slowly.
16:02Luca.
16:04I told you the war has only just begun.
16:07You think kidnapping Nina gives you leverage over me?
16:10You underestimate a mother.
16:12And overestimate yourself.
16:14Soon the soldiers mom brought have dad under control and take him away.
16:18She reports his actions to the mafia commission.
16:21Dad is investigated for abusing his power.
16:24Maliciously targeting the Severino heir.
16:26And kidnapping the Maretta heir.
16:28I return to the medical center with mom.
16:30After the fever subsides, I fall seriously ill.
16:32Mom never leaves my side.
16:34She feeds me.
16:35Cooks for me.
16:36Tells me stories.
16:37Her arms are still warm, but something feels different.
16:40Her gaze.
16:41Besides love, there's a sharpness I don't fully understand.
16:44Two weeks later, after consulting with Maretta family leaders, the commission hands dad over to the Severino family.
16:50He loses his position as Maretta mafia boss.
16:53I, as the heir, become the new leader of the family.
16:56The Severinos lock dad in their private prison for 10 years.
16:59They try to make mom divorce dad, cutting ties with the Maretta family, but she refuses.
17:03On the day dad goes to prison, mom is pruning an orchid.
17:07She does it slowly, like she's crafting a work of art.
17:10Nina, do you hate your father?
17:11I shake my head.
17:12I don't know what hate is.
17:13I only feel sad.
17:15That's right.
17:15Don't hate.
17:16Hating someone is exhausting.
17:18The cleanest way is to remove them from your world.
17:20Like trimming these extra leaves.
17:22Mom starts teaching me more than fairy tales and piano.
17:25She teaches anatomy, letting me know every bone, every vein, every nerve.
17:29She teaches chemistry, showing me the makeup of poisons and how they act on the body.
17:34She teaches psychology, how to read people, how to exploit human weakness.
17:38She says,
17:39Nina, I can't protect you forever.
17:41The sharpest weapon in this world isn't a gun or a knife.
17:44It's your mind.
17:45You have to be stronger, smarter, colder than anyone else.
17:48That way, no one will ever hurt you again.
17:50I become her perfect creation, calm, rational.
17:53Even cold.
17:53Ten years pass in the blink of an eye.
17:58When I'm fifteen, dad gets out of prison.
18:01He's old now.
18:01His back is hunched.
18:03Half his hair is white.
18:04The fire in his eyes completely gone.
18:05He comes looking for us.
18:07That day, I'm in the garden, watering mom's newly grown black tulips.
18:11He stands not far away, staring at me guilty, trying to make up for the past.
18:17Nina, you've grown so much.
18:19His voice is dry hoarse, like sandpaper scraping across wood.
18:22I ignore him, keeping my focus on the flowers.
18:25He fidgets, takes a worn cloth doll from behind his back.
18:29This...
18:29This was your favorite when you were little.
18:31I kept it all these years.
18:32I look at the doll.
18:33The one he brought me from France when I was five.
18:36Vivienne had thrown it in the trash, but somehow he saved it.
18:40Do you want something?
18:41I ask coldly.
18:42My coldness stabs him.
18:44A sheen of tears forms in his cloudy eyes.
18:47Nina, I know I was wrong.
18:52Every day these ten years, I've been regretting it.
18:54He's almost begging.
18:56Can you let me see your mother?
19:00I just want to say sorry.
19:02Just once...
19:03Then mom comes out of the house.
19:04She wears an elegant white dress.
19:07Ten years have passed, yet there's no trace on her face, only more poised, more icy calm.
19:12She stands on the steps, looking down at him like he's a stranger.
19:15Luca?
19:16What are you doing here?
19:18Dad trembles, moves a few steps forward, then stops abruptly.
19:23Sofia, I...
19:25Leave.
19:25His face changes instantly.
19:27His fists clench.
19:28The pleading in his eyes turns to resentment and anger.
19:35The pleading in his eyes turns to resentment and anger.
19:39Sofia!
19:40You're going too far!
19:41I've already paid for what I did!
19:43What more do you want?
19:44Can't you forgive me?
19:46I am Nina's father!
19:47Mom smiles.
19:48Father?
19:50The father who used his daughter as a weapon for... for revenge?
19:54Luca, what right do you have to say that word?
19:58I warn you, leave now.
19:59And never come near us again.
20:01Or I won't mind sending you back for another ten years.
20:05Dad loses it completely.
20:07Sofia!
20:08You witch!
20:09You...
20:10You ruined everything!
20:11He lunges like a mad beast at mom.
20:13I instinctively jump in front of her.
20:15But he doesn't aim for mom.
20:17His target is the black tulips behind me.
20:19The priceless black tulips mom spent ten years cultivating from Dutch seeds.
20:23The main ingredient for her new medicine.
20:25He wants to destroy it.
20:26But before his foot hits the flower bed...
20:29He screams, convulses, and collapses flat.
20:32Foaming at the mouth, eyes rolling back acute heart attack.
20:35Mom watches coldly as he writhes in pain.
20:37Then pulls out her phone.
20:38911, this is Sofia's private medical center.
20:41Someone's having a heart attack.
20:42We need an ambulance.
20:43She hangs up.
20:44Nina?
20:45See?
20:46Trash belongs in the trash.
20:48Polluting my garden?
20:50How awful.
20:53The ambulance screams in and out.
20:55Sirens wailing.
20:57By the time they carry dad away, he's in a deep coma.
20:59I stare at the cloth doll on the ground.
21:01My heart a mess of emotions.
21:03Mom walks over, picks up the doll, and tosses it into the nearby trash can.
21:07Useless thing.
21:08Just takes up space.
21:10She takes my hand and leads me into the study.
21:12On the wall hangs a huge diagram of the human nervous system.
21:15See the vagus nerve?
21:16With the right drug or physical stimulase, you can overexcite it.
21:19Making the heart crash, blood pressure drop, triggering cardiac arrest.
21:23The whole process looks exactly like a natural heart attack.
21:26Nina.
21:27Guess how I did it.
21:29A chill runs down my spine.
21:31I remember just now, when dad lunged at mom.
21:34I instinctively stepped in front of her.
21:36I was holding the small watering spray inside it.
21:39It was mom's specially prepared nutrient solution.
21:41A few drops accidentally splashed onto dad's hand.
21:44Is it the nutrient solution?
21:48Smart girl.
21:49It's a specially designed neurotoxin.
21:51Colorless, tasteless, absorbed through the skin.
21:54The timing of the attack depends on the dose and absorption speed.
21:57I calculated it perfectly enough for him to reach my flower bat.
22:01Mom, you meant to kill him.
22:08Mom, you meant to kill him.
22:10No, I just wanted him silenced forever.
22:13A dead man or a vegetable won't go around spreading lies, ruining my reputation.
22:19It's better for you, for the medical center.
22:23For everyone.
22:24Suddenly.
22:25I understand what she meant 10 years ago when she said, the war has only just begun.
22:29Her goal was never just to send dad to prison.
22:31Her goal was to erase him from this world completely.
22:34Leave no trace.
22:36Three days later, news comes from the hospital.
22:38Dad survived.
22:39But the brain damage from prolonged oxygen deprivation has left him a vegetable.
22:43He's moved into our medical center.
22:45The same room Vivienne once stayed in.
22:47Mom personally designed his rehabilitation plan.
22:50Every day, I watch nurses wheel him into that treatment room.
22:53Where Vivienne's screams once echoed.
22:55I don't know what happens inside.
22:57All I see is dad's body shrinking before my eyes, wasting away.
23:01Like a plant drained of every drop of life.
23:03And mom's black tulips.
23:05Bloom more vibrant than ever.
23:07Almost.
23:07Unnatural.
23:09On my 18th birthday, mom throws a grand coming of age party for me.
23:13The venue is the banquet hall of our medical center.
23:15Important figures from every major family in New York's underground world attend.
23:19Mom holds my hand introducing me to each of them.
23:22This is my daughter, Nina.
23:24And the future head of both the Moreci and Severino families.
23:28Applause fills the hall.
23:29People look at me with admiration and envy.
23:31But I feel like I can't breathe.
23:33All of this feels like a carefully built cage.
23:36Halfway through the party.
23:37An uninvited guest storms in.
23:39Vivienne.
23:3910 years have passed.
23:40She is no longer the hysterical woman trapped in a wheelchair.
23:43She wears a sharp black leather jacket and flawless makeup.
23:46Her hands are still curled unnaturally.
23:48But her eyes are clear again cold and vicious.
23:52Sophia!
23:53Her shrill voice instantly silences the entire hall.
23:5610 years.
23:57I'm finally back.
23:58And I'm here to expose this true face of this poised aide Newman.
24:02I want to file a report.
24:0310 years ago.
24:04Sophia deliberately injured me and leave my hands permanently disabled.
24:0710 years ago.
24:08She framed the boss of the Moreci family and sent him to prison.
24:11She's nothing but a murderer.
24:13The entire hall erupts in shock.
24:15All eyes turn to mom.
24:16But mom remains perfectly calm.
24:18She even lifts a glass of champagne and gently swirls it.
24:21Vivienne, watch your mouth.
24:24You say I hurt people.
24:26Where's your evidence?
24:31You say I hurt people.
24:33Where's your evidence?
24:35Evidence.
24:36This is the evidence.
24:38For 10 years.
24:39I've spent every single day collecting proof of your crimes.
24:43I found the employee who switched the cement for you back then.
24:45He's willing to testify.
24:46And I traced the source where you bought the neurotoxin.
24:49Sophia, today is the day you fall.
24:52One of the investigators steps forward and begins carefully flipping through the documents.
24:56For the first time, mom's expression changes.
24:58But it isn't panic.
24:59It's amusement.
25:00She looks at Vivienne like she's watching a clown perform.
25:03Viviana, you know what your biggest weakness is?
25:06You're too stupid.
25:08And far too impatient.
25:11You think finding my evidence will bring me down?
25:14Did it ever occur to you?
25:16Why it was so easy for you to find it?
25:18Vivienne's expression stiffens.
25:20What do you mean?
25:21It means I let you find it.
25:24Every piece.
25:27Including today.
25:28When you brought investigators and walked straight into my territory.
25:33She snaps her fingers.
25:34The banquet hall doors slam shut.
25:37Dozens of men in black suits pour in from every direction,
25:39surrounding Vivienne and the investigators.
25:41In an instant, the hall becomes a sealed cage.
25:44The guests tremble in fear.
25:46Even Vivienne begins to panic.
25:48Sophia, what are you doing?
25:50Are you challenging the authority of the commission?
25:52No.
25:53She walks up to Vivienne and speaks in a voice only the two of them can hear.
25:56I'm simply finishing what I started ten years ago.
26:00Taking out the trash.
26:02For good.
26:07Vivienne's pupils shrink instantly.
26:09She tries to step back, but two bodyguards grab her shoulders and hold her in place.
26:13Sophia!
26:14Have you lost your mind?
26:15There are so many people watching!
26:17Mom lets out a soft laugh.
26:18Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the disturbance.
26:21It seems we've had a small accident.
26:23But now, please enjoy a special program I prepared for you.
26:26As soon as she finishes speaking, the giant screen in the center of the hall lights up.
26:30Surveillance footage from the medical center appears.
26:33On the screen is Vivienne.
26:34She sneaks into the records room, stealing files.
26:40Then she meets with several employees who were fired from the medical center, handing them envelopes of cash.
26:46Finally, the screen freezes on a scene of Vivienne embracing a man.
26:50I recognize him.
26:52He used to be dad's underboss.
26:53The same man who betrayed him during that conspiracy years ago.
26:56The one who was later shot dead.
26:58So Vivienne had been working with him all along.
27:00Her so-called admiration back then was never real.
27:03It was a calculated approach.
27:04What she wanted was revenge.
27:06Revenge against Luca and Sophia, the two people she believed destroyed her lover.
27:10When the video ends, the entire hall falls into dead silence.
27:14No!
27:15That's not true!
27:21No, that's not true!
27:23Vivienne's face turns as white as paper.
27:25She framed me!
27:26Sophia framed me!
27:28Mom walks up to her, eyes cold.
27:30Framed you?
27:32Vivienne, all I did was show everyone exactly what you've done.
27:35No!
27:36More than ten years ago, you and your lover conspired against my husband.
27:41Trying to steal family secrets and ruin him.
27:44I only crippled your hands.
27:45That was already mercy.
27:47But you never learned your lesson.
27:48You really think I didn't know what you've been doing these past ten years?
27:52Every person you contacted.
27:53Every meeting you had.
27:55Every word you said.
27:56All of it.
27:57Was under my control.
27:59I kept you alive simply because I wanted to see how big a wave a stray dog like you could
28:04make.
28:05Turns out...
28:06Not much.
28:07Every word mom says cuts into Vivienne like a knife.
28:11The investigators understand the situation now.
28:14They close the file and look at Vivienne coldly.
28:17Vivienne, you will come with us now and assist with the investigation into the old leak of family secrets.
28:22Vivienne completely loses control.
28:24Like a mad woman, she breaks free from the bodyguards and lunges toward me.
28:27She pulls out a gun and points it straight at me.
28:30Sofia!
28:30If I can't kill you, I'll kill your daughter!
28:33Then you'll know what it feels like to lose the person you love most!
28:37Everything happens too fast.
28:38No one has time to react.
28:40All I see is a bullet flying straight toward me.
28:45Mom steps in front of me.
28:46The bullet sinks deep into her chest.
28:48Blood instantly spreads across her white dress.
28:50Like a crimson rose blooming, suddenly in the snow.
28:56The whole world seems to fall silent.
28:59I watch mom slowly collapse, my mind going completely blank.
29:02Mom!
29:03Warm blood soaks through my dress, sticky and burning hot.
29:06Call an ambulance!
29:07Now!
29:08The banquet hall erupts into chaos.
29:10Vivienne is restrained on the spot.
29:12Looking at mom lying in a pool of blood, she bursts into hysterical laughter.
29:16Sofia!
29:17You lost.
29:18In the end, you still lost!
29:21I can't hear anything.
29:22In my world, there is only the sound of mom's breathing growing weaker and weaker.
29:25Her hand grips mine tightly.
29:27Her lips move like she's trying to say something.
29:30I lean closer to hear her.
29:32Nina, don't be afraid.
29:35Do you like this gift?
29:38There is even the faintest trace of a smile at the corner of her lips.
29:41I suddenly look up at the chaotic scene around me.
29:44Was this?
29:44Part of her plan too.
29:46Her own life is her final coming of age gift to me.
29:48When you cut the weeds, you remove the roots.
29:51With her death, she will make sure Vivienne can never rise again.
29:54With her blood, she clears the last obstacle from my path.
30:00With her blood, she clears the last obstacle from my path.
30:03The ambulance finally arrives.
30:05As they lift mom onto the stretcher, she gathers the last bit of strength and presses something cold into my
30:10palm.
30:12It's the silver scalpel she polished countless times.
30:15The blade gleams reflecting my tear-streaked face.
30:18The hospital hallway is brightly lit, yet cold as ice.
30:21The emergency room light stays on for a long, long time.
30:25Then finally it goes out.
30:27The doctor walks out, exhausted, and shakes his head.
30:29I'm sorry.
30:31We did everything we could.
30:32I stand there, unmoving.
30:34I don't cry.
30:35I don't scream.
30:36I only tighten my grip on the scalpel in my hand.
30:39Mom, I received your gift.
30:40Don't worry.
30:41From today on, I will become you.
30:43A better version of you.
30:44I will become the rightful leader of the Mariti and Severino families.
30:48And Yon who dares lay a hand on them will become the next piece of trash beneath my scalpel.
30:52I lift my head and look toward the window at the end of the corridor.
30:55Outside, the night is deep.
30:56And my war has only just begun.
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