Three Ex Husbands, One Scam | New Movie | 2026
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On April Fool's Day, my husband, Blaio, 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, Marco and Liu.
00:23But those first two marriages were just business to help their families out of a jam.
00:27Only my marriage to Blaire 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.
00:43Blaire, 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 Blaire 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.
01:36I was even a little smug about it.
01:39Now I knew the truth.
01:40The three of them were clues.
01:42So close, they could plot against me together.
01:45I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
01:47So 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.
01:59My phone buzzed.
02:00A text from Blaire.
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 subtly 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.
02:57It's to protect you, keep you from getting dragged into this.
03:01A temporary divorce?
03:02He 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.
03:11And 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.
03:27And 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.
03:34He 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.
03:52I 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.
04:05With a clean, sharp stroke.
04:07Done.
04:08You should call them now.
04:10I want to hear it when their jaws hit the glass.
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.
04:22Then 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,
04:35I clearly heard his hushed voice.
04:37She signed.
04:39Yeah, didn't even hesitate.
04:40We'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.
04:54She's my wife, after all.
04:57A moment later,
04:58my own phone laid up with two messages.
05:00The first, from Marco.
05:02Long time no see.
05:03When 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.
05:18Marco 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 an arranged marriage.
05:27I did that too.
05:28And 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,
05:34I silently pulled the suitcase from the closet.
05:37After a year of marriage,
05:39I didn't have much.
05:40The clothes and jewelry Blair had given me,
05:43I left them all behind.
05:44Just as I was zipping up the suitcase,
05:46the doorbell rang.
05:47It was Lucia.
05:48I sat at the door and watched as she stumbled in,
05:51drunk,
05:52and threw herself into Blair's arms.
05:56Blair,
05:57I missed you so I came over.
05:59Blair instinctively glanced back at me,
06:02a flash of panic in his eyes.
06:04Lucia's drunk.
06:05She 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?
06:18Who'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
06:27in front of his wife.
06:28All 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,
06:37his eyes searching my face.
06:39You don't mind, do you, Ileana?
06:42Of course not.
06:43I 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.
07:02Marco, 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
07:14because of the Moretti name.
07:17Only Marco was willing to teach me how to shoot,
07:20taking 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.
07:27Back 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.
07:36All bold and fiery.
07:38She became the center of everyone's world,
07:40including Marco's and Leo's.
07:42They started revolving around her,
07:44forming a new circle.
07:45I was slowly pushed to the sidelines,
07:47only remembered when they needed the Moretti family to solve the problem.
07:52The cracks were always there.
07:53I just chose to ignore them.
07:55Only today was I willing to face the ugly truth.
07:58Lucia finally seemed to notice me.
08:00The lady of the house.
08:02Ileana?
08:03Long time no see.
08:05I've always felt so bad.
08:08I know you think I stole Marco and Leo from you,
08:11but I really didn't mean to.
08:13Marco's heart instantly melted.
08:15He gently steadied her,
08:16and the look he gave me was sharp with annoyance.
08:20What are you talking about?
08:21Nobody stole anybody.
08:22That'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.
08:35I want to make this clear in front of everyone.
08:38These are my divorce papers with Blair.
08:40I've already signed.
08:41Blair looked panicked for a second,
08:43clearly not expecting me to announce it like this,
08:46but he recovered quickly.
08:47He took a step forward,
08:49his voice dripping with fake concern.
08:53Illyana, you don't have to do this.
08:55Well, if you're divorced,
08:56then I guess you'll be giving me my ring back.
08:58Afros, my eyes dropping to the diamond on my ring finger.
09:02What do you mean?
09:03My voice was dry.
09:04Lucia smiled smugly.
09:05Take the ring off and look at the inner bang.
09:08My name is still engraved on it.
09:10Slowly, I twisted off the ring
09:12that had once made my heart leap
09:14and turned it over.
09:15Among the delicate filigree,
09:17I saw our names,
09:18Blair and Illyana,
09:20but in a tiny,
09:21almost hidden spot
09:22was a line in Italian,
09:24per sempre mia Lucia.
09:26In that moment,
09:28the world started to spin.
09:29I looked at Blair,
09:30desperate for him to explain,
09:32to deny it,
09:33to tell me it was all a mistake,
09:35but he wouldn't meet my eyes.
09:36He just stood there,
09:38silent.
09:38I remembered the day he proposed.
09:41He was on one knee,
09:42looking 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,
09:48just like you are in my heart.
09:49I cried,
09:50thinking I was the luckiest woman alive.
09:52It turned out,
09:53the ring was never meant for me.
09:55It belonged to Lucia.
09:56It had her name on it.
09:58It was a promise of his love for her.
10:00And me,
10:00I was just the placeholder.
10:02I looked down at the divorce papers,
10:04and suddenly,
10:05I smiled.
10:06Right then,
10:07I was so glad I had signed them.
10:09I said,
10:10placing the ring on the coffee table,
10:12If it has your name on it,
10:16then it's yours.
10:18Lucia's eyes lit up.
10:20She snatched the ring,
10:21slid it onto her own finger,
10:23and admired it.
10:24Thank you,
10:25Eliana.
10:26It really does suit me.
10:27Eliana,
10:28let me explain.
10:29Pleia finally said,
10:31stepping forward,
10:32to grab my hand,
10:33but,
10:34I had already turned,
10:35and was walking toward the stairs.
10:37Don't bother.
10:39Since we're divorced,
10:40I shouldn't be living here anymore.
10:41My office,
10:439 a.m. tomorrow,
10:44will finish the paperwork.
10:45I dragged my suitcase out the door,
10:47with Blair calling my name behind me.
10:49Full of panic,
10:50I didn't stop.
10:51From behind me,
10:53I 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.
11:01Let's head out tomorrow.
11:03Once the car was moving,
11:05my phone buzzed.
11:06A text from Blair.
11:07Eliana,
11:08I will explain about the ring.
11:09Find a place to stay for now,
11:11and I'll come get you in a few days.
11:13Be good.
11:13Don't overthink things.
11:15I looked at the message,
11:16a sneer playing on my lips.
11:18He still thinks I'm coming back.
11:19I gave my dad a call.
11:21Father,
11:22I'm divorced.
11:23That arranged marriage you mentioned,
11:25is the offer still on the table?
11:26Of course,
11:27my dear daughter.
11:28I'm glad you finally made a wise decision.
11:31A year ago,
11:32after my second divorce,
11:34my father had suggested an arranged marriage,
11:37to a man from a powerful allied family.
11:39But I was lost in my fantasy,
11:41of falling in love with Blair,
11:43and refused.
11:44How stupid I had been.
11:46Half an hour later,
11:47I got a new friend request on my phone.
11:49The message read,
11:50Time to meet your fiancé.
11:52The next morning,
11:53at nine,
11:54I arrived at my downtown office,
11:56with the Moretti family's private lawyer.
11:58Blair was already there,
12:00looking exhausted and anxious.
12:02He clearly hadn't slept.
12:03Eliana,
12:04about the ring,
12:05I have to explain.
12:06The jeweler messed up the engraving.
12:07I was going to get it replaced,
12:09but there wasn't time,
12:10and I didn't want to upset you,
12:11over something so small.
12:12I figured,
12:12I'd quietly get you a new one,
12:14after the wedding.
12:15Eliana,
12:15I know this hurt you,
12:17but you have to believe me,
12:18what I feel for you,
12:18is real.
12:19After this month,
12:20after I handle things with Lucia,
12:22we'll get remarried.
12:23I promise I'll make it up to you,
12:25with the most beautiful wedding ring,
12:26in the world.
12:27One month,
12:28he meant that,
12:28after he finished his,
12:30romantic getaway with Lucia,
12:32he expect him to remarry me,
12:33like nothing happened.
12:35I understand.
12:35I was done listening to his shameless excuses.
12:38I turned to my lawyer.
12:40Let's just get this done.
12:41Blair looked stunned,
12:43probably not expecting me,
12:44to be so cooperative.
12:45The whole process,
12:46was quicker than I thought.
12:48Signatures,
12:49witnesses,
12:50a legally binding contract.
12:52In less than half an hour,
12:53our marriage,
12:54was officially over.
12:55The moment,
12:56we stepped out of the office,
12:58Blair's phone rang.
13:00He glanced at the caller,
13:01ID,
13:02and his whole face softened.
13:03He answered,
13:05his voice gentle.
13:06Lucia,
13:08okay,
13:09I'm on my way.
13:11Don't worry,
13:11I'll take care of you.
13:14Wait for me,
13:14I'll be right there.
13:15He hung up,
13:16and turned to me,
13:17the tenderness from the call,
13:19still lingering in his eyes.
13:21He tried to look conflicted.
13:23Ileana,
13:24Lucia isn't feeling well,
13:25I have to go check on her.
13:27Wait here for me,
13:28and I'll be back to take you,
13:29wherever you're staying.
13:30Then he rushed off,
13:31without a second glance.
13:33I stood in the lobby,
13:34watching his hurry retreat,
13:36a wave of sadness and relief,
13:38washing over me.
13:39That was the man I once loved so deeply.
13:41Not one minute after our divorce was final,
13:45he was already running to another woman.
13:47I turned,
13:48and walked toward a conference room,
13:50at the other end of the hall.
13:52My new fiancé was waiting.
13:54Meanwhile,
13:55after waiting by the building's entrance,
13:57for nearly ten minutes,
13:58and seeing no sign of Ileana,
14:00Blair decided to go back up,
14:02to remind her about the plan.
14:03Just as he reached the entrance,
14:05he slammed right into a man walking out.
14:08Papers scattered across the mobile floor.
14:11Blair's divorce decree,
14:12mixed with the other man's documents.
14:14A gust of wind,
14:16from the revolving door,
14:17flipped open the cover,
14:18of one file.
14:20It was a marriage contract.
14:21As Blair bent down to grab his papers,
14:23he caught a glimpse of the photo on that contract.
14:26He froze.
14:27He only saw a small part of it,
14:29but that profile,
14:30the side of that face.
14:32The man stepped lightly,
14:33quickly gathering his files.
14:35Excuse me.
14:36Blair looked up,
14:37trying to get a clear look at the man's face,
14:39but he had already put on a pair of sunglasses,
14:41revealing only a sharp jawline,
14:43and thin lips.
14:44There was an aristocratic air about him,
14:46that felt strangely familiar to Blair.
14:50It's fine.
14:51Blair replied,
14:52but his eyes were glued to the marriage contract,
14:54in the man's hands.
14:55The man finished collecting his things,
14:57and headed for the exit.
14:59Blair stood there,
15:00a ridiculous thought,
15:01growing stronger in his mind.
15:03Who signs a marriage contract,
15:05on April Fool's Day,
15:06and a photo on that contract?
15:08Even though he only saw a corner of it,
15:10why did it look so familiar?
15:12He felt like he'd seen this man somewhere before.
15:16That calm, commanding presence,
15:18that natural air of old, wild power.
15:21Hey, wait!
15:22Just as Blair called out to the man,
15:24his phone rang.
15:25It was Leo.
15:26He hesitated,
15:26then picked up.
15:27Blair, where the hell are you?
15:29We're all waiting.
15:29When Blair looked up again,
15:31the man was gone.
15:32A black rose rose peeled around the corner.
15:34Shit.
15:35A second later,
15:36a text from Mako came through with correspondence.
15:39Get a move on.
15:40We need to be on the private island in the Bahamas,
15:43before sunset.
15:44Lucia's waiting.
15:45Blair stared at the screen,
15:46and a memory hit him.
15:48A promise he'd buried for years.
15:50It was Lucia's dream,
15:51back when they graduated high school.
15:53She wanted to take everyone to that secret private island,
15:56and party for three days straight,
15:58watch the most beautiful sensest,
16:00and drink the strongest shit they could find.
16:02Security on the island was tight.
16:04He was the only one with an invite.
16:06This 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,
16:18everything would go back to normal.
16:20Blair shook his head,
16:22pushing the thought of the mysterious man out of his mind,
16:25and drove to the private airfield.
16:28When he got there,
16:29everyone was already waiting.
16:31Lucia was in a red dress,
16:33the sea breeze blowing through her long hair.
16:35The diamond necklace around her neck glittered in the setting sun.
16:39He had bought her that necklace for her 17th birthday.
16:42With six months of his allowance,
16:44she 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,
16:5110 years ago.
16:52Back then,
16:53Lucia 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,
17:02a pang of gout hit him.
17:04He hadn't given Ileana many gifts.
17:06The Moratti family had everything.
17:08She didn't need luxury.
17:09He'd only given her a simple diamond bracelet for her birthday,
17:13but she'd worn it every single day like a treasure.
17:16He suddenly remembered signing the divorce papers today.
17:19Ileana's wrist had been bare.
17:21The bracelet was gone.
17:22The realization made his stomach drop.
17:25Why wasn't she wearing it?
17:27Was she angry?
17:28Or Lucia ran over and hooked her arm through his.
17:32Blair!
17:33What are you thinking about?
17:35We've been waiting forever.
17:36You're late,
17:37so you have to take three shots as punishment.
17:39The warmth of her arm and the sparkle in her eyes
17:42as she looked up at him
17:44threw him back to their teenage years.
17:46All right, I'll take my punishment.
17:49The guys saw the vibe and started whooping and hollering,
17:52a knowing glint in their eyes.
17:54Blair still got it bad for Lucia!
17:57What, you jealous?
17:58By the time they reached the island villa,
18:01the sky was dark.
18:02On the terrace,
18:03a party was in full swing.
18:05A gentle sea breeze blew,
18:07as stars glittered overhead,
18:08and glasses clinked.
18:10Just as Blair was about to hand Lucia a glass of champagne,
18:14Marco intercepted,
18:15swapping the flute in her hand for a glass of juice.
18:18Marco said,
18:19his eyes full of concern.
18:22You're sick.
18:23No booze.
18:25Lucia took the juice,
18:26blinked her wide,
18:27innocent eyes,
18:28and asked.
18:29The air froze.
18:30Everyone stared.
18:32Sick.
18:33What are you talking about?
18:34Blair's champagne glass hung in midair,
18:37his eyes locked on Lucia.
18:38In the stunnedness silence,
18:41Lucia suddenly burst out laughing,
18:43covering her mouth,
18:44her eyes glancing with mischief.
18:47April Fools!
18:49Raising her juice glass,
18:50almost doubled over with laughter.
18:53I'm not dying!
18:54I just needed an excuse
18:56to get everyone together for a wild party!
19:01Blair froze solid.
19:02The sound of waves crashing against the rocks
19:05seemed suddenly louder.
19:06The distant cries of seabirds,
19:09mocking his stupidity.
19:11Lucia wasn't sick.
19:12This was all a joke.
19:13He thought about how he divorced Eliana for this joke.
19:17He thought about Eliana's unnervingly calm expression
19:20as she signed the papers
19:22about the missing diamond bracelet on her wrist.
19:25A hot flash of anger shot through him.
19:28His voice was rough.
19:30What did you say?
19:32Seeing his face,
19:34Lucia's smile faltered,
19:35but she was still defiant.
19:37Oh, don't be so serious!
19:39It's not like you lost anything!
19:40You get to hang out with me on this beautiful island!
19:43Lucia,
19:44even for an April Fool's joke,
19:46that was a little much.
19:49Yeah, we were all really worried.
19:52Blair just stood there,
19:54the champagne foot trembling in his hand.
19:58Seeing his dark expression,
20:00Lucia immediately put on her best,
20:02innocent, hurt look.
20:05She walked out to him,
20:07tugging lightly on his sleeve,
20:08her eyes welling up.
20:10Blair, are you mad at me?
20:12I just...
20:13I just missed the days when we were all together.
20:16Her eyes were red,
20:18as if she was about to cry.
20:19I know you have your own life now,
20:21you have a wife,
20:23but our friendship,
20:25all the good times we had,
20:28that was all real, wasn't it?
20:30That fragile, helpless look
20:33hit Blair right in his weak spot.
20:35He remembered the 17-year-old Lucia,
20:38the first time she'd cried,
20:40and asked him for help,
20:41and the fierce,
20:43protective urge he'd felt.
20:45That feeling had never completely disappeared.
20:49The others started chiming in.
20:52Some cousin from a pissing family snickered.
20:55Someone we know could never stay mad at her.
21:00Damn right!
21:01Back in school,
21:02anyone who messed with Lucia
21:04had to answer to Blair.
21:05He would have put a guy in the ground for her!
21:10Everyone laughed,
21:11and the tension started to fade.
21:14Blair looked at Lucia
21:15at the verge of tears,
21:16and finally caved.
21:18I'm not angry,
21:20just surprised.
21:22Lucia's face broke into a smile.
21:24She pushed a drink into 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,
21:35calming his frayed nerves.
21:37Blair raised a glass,
21:39looking at the radiant woman in front of him,
21:41and the anger and suspicion
21:43began to mount away.
21:45Screw it, he thought.
21:47Let's just call it a perfect send-off
21:49to their younger days.
21:52The party ignited again,
21:54laughter and clinging glasses
21:56filling the air.
21:57As the night hit its peak,
21:59Hey, Blair's divorced,
22:01and Lucia's single!
22:03It's perfect!
22:08Yeah!
22:09Everyone knew you two
22:10were crazy about each other
22:12back in the day.
22:13Now's your chance!
22:15Get together!
22:17Get together!
22:18Get together!
22:19Yeah!
22:21Blair even divorced
22:21the Moretti princess for Lucia!
22:23It's on you now, Lucia!
22:24The crowd went wild,
22:27cheering and whistling,
22:28the sound echoing across the island.
22:31Lucia's face turned beet red,
22:33and she shyly looked down,
22:35but the slight curve of her lips
22:36showed she didn't mind one bit.
22:39Blair stood frozen,
22:40the deafening chance
22:42ringing in his ears.
22:43But his mind flashed back
22:45to Eliana's eyes,
22:46in the office that day,
22:48so calm,
22:49so final.
22:50He'd thought she was calm,
22:52because she knew the divorce
22:54was fake.
22:55Now,
22:55he wasn't so sure.
22:57The look in her eyes,
22:59it was like she was looking
23:00at a stranger,
23:02not the husband she loved.
23:04Lucia whined,
23:05a hint of complaint in her tone.
23:07Blair?
23:08You're not gonna join in
23:10there teasing,
23:11are you?
23:12Blair snapped back to reality.
23:15He looked at the girl,
23:16who had been his first love,
23:18opened his mouth,
23:19to say something,
23:20but the words got stuck.
23:23He couldn't figure it out.
23:25Wasn't this exactly what he wanted?
23:28This escape,
23:29this freedom.
23:30So,
23:31why did he feel so damn empty?
23:33The party ended in a blur.
23:35Blair was blackout drunk.
23:36He vaguely remembered
23:37someone helping him upstairs,
23:39unbuttoning his shirt.
23:40Soft fingers traced his neck.
23:42He tried to push them away,
23:43but he had no strength.
23:44He mumbled in the haze
23:46between sleep and waking.
23:54He woke up the next morning
23:56to sunlight streaming
23:57through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
23:59His head was pounding.
24:01The hangover made his thoughts
24:03feel like sludge.
24:04He slowly opened his eyes
24:06and saw a spill of black hair
24:08on the pillow next to him.
24:09Not Eliana's wavy chestnut hair.
24:11This was straight and jet black.
24:13He shot up,
24:14suddenly half sober.
24:16It was Lucia,
24:16the sheet had stepped down
24:18to her waist.
24:19Her shoulders were bare.
24:20Fragments of the night before
24:21flashed in his mind.
24:23Lucia crying,
24:24saying she was scared
24:25of being alone,
24:26that she'd always loved him.
24:27She kissed him.
24:28And then,
24:30Blair cursed,
24:32robbing his temples hard.
24:33He instinctively grabbed his phone.
24:35No messages from Eliana.
24:37That wasn't right.
24:38Usually,
24:39if he was gone for half a day
24:41on business,
24:42she'd text him,
24:43asking what he was doing,
24:44what he'd eaten,
24:45if he missed her.
24:46Sometimes,
24:47a dozen messages a day,
24:48just all that little stuff.
24:50He used to find it
24:51a little annoying.
24:52Now,
24:53the silence was unnerving.
24:54Why hadn't she sent
24:55a single text this time?
24:57Did she really not care
24:58about the divorce?
24:59Just then,
25:00Lucia stood beside him.
25:02She slowly opened her eyes,
25:03and a satisfied smile
25:05spread across her face
25:06when she saw him sitting there.
25:08Good morning, Blair.
25:11Lucia,
25:11I'm sorry.
25:12I was drunk last night.
25:13We shouldn't have...
25:14What the hell is that
25:15supposed to mean?
25:16I mean...
25:18Last night was a mistake.
25:20We were both drunk.
25:21A mistake?
25:22You're trying to brush me off
25:23with that?
25:23She tried to get out of bed,
25:25but her legs gave out,
25:26and she nearly fell.
25:27Blair instinctively caught her,
25:29then immediately let go,
25:30as if he had been burned.
25:31That small action
25:32was the final straw.
25:33Blair Russo,
25:35how long are you
25:35going to keep up this act?
25:37The devoted husband
25:38act?
25:38Did you forget?
25:40It was Alana's old man
25:41who put a gun to your family's head
25:42to make you marry her.
25:44No, that's not how it was.
25:45I was the one
25:46who went after Alana.
25:47You don't even love her.
25:49She didn't believe in love,
25:50was only willing to do
25:51a contract marriage
25:52for a friend's sake.
25:53I was the one
25:54who pursued her,
25:55who convinced her
25:56to give me her heart.
25:57You're lying!
25:59You told me
26:00I was the one you loved.
26:02You wrote me
26:02a love letter,
26:03didn't you?
26:04His words
26:04stabbed Lucia
26:05like a knife.
26:06Her face went pale,
26:07her eyes filling with tears.
26:09Blair stood rooted
26:10to the spot,
26:11his palms slick
26:12with cold sweat.
26:13A love letter.
26:14He had never written
26:15her a love letter.
26:16The only one
26:16he'd ever written
26:17was for Alana,
26:18but he never gave it to her.
26:20He had no idea
26:21how it ended up
26:22in Lucia's hands,
26:23but he couldn't say that.
26:24Not now.
26:25Lucia, listen to me.
26:27I don't want to hear
26:27your excuses.
26:28You're divorced now.
26:30Why can't you be with me?
26:33Do all those years
26:34mean nothing?
26:35She started sobbing
26:37hysterically,
26:38her whole body shaking.
26:39Suddenly,
26:40she runs for the vanity
26:41and grabbed
26:42the fruit knife.
26:43Lucia,
26:43what are you doing?
26:46She didn't answer.
26:47She pressed the blade
26:48to her own throat.
26:49The sharp edge
26:50left a thin red line
26:51on her pale skin.
26:53If you don't do what I say,
26:54I'll kill myself.
26:55All right, all right.
26:55Just calm down, okay?
26:57If you leave me,
26:58I'll die right here.
26:59Okay, okay.
26:59I won't leave.
27:00I'll stay.
27:01I'll stay with you.
27:02Just put the knife down.
27:03Hearing that,
27:04the crazed look
27:05in her eyes
27:06slowly faded.
27:07She lowered the knife,
27:08then collapsed
27:09into his arms,
27:10crying like a child.
27:11I know I'm terrible.
27:13I'm selfish,
27:14but I really do love you.
27:15Just stay with me
27:16for a while.
27:16Just until you figure out
27:18what you really want.
27:18Please?
27:20Okay, I'll stay.
27:21Lucia's tears
27:22tend to a smile.
27:23She immediately grabbed his phone.
27:25Before Blair could react,
27:27she had his contacts open
27:29and was deleting a name.
27:30What are you doing?
27:31Deleting everything, Aliana.
27:33This way you can be with me in peace.
27:35No distractions.
27:36Blair watched as Aileen's phone number,
27:39her private messages,
27:40her email address,
27:41all of it disappeared one by one.
27:43A strange panic seized him
27:45that he'd already given his word.
27:47He could only watch
27:48as her name was erased from his life.
27:50After a week
27:51of partying on the island,
27:52Marco and Leo
27:53headed back to New York.
27:55Lucia was stuck
27:56to be like glue
27:56and they were sick
27:57of watching the happy couple.
27:59Besides,
27:59tonight was the Moretti family's
28:01annual dinner.
28:02In past years,
28:04Aliana would have been excited
28:05to invite them.
28:07Even though their own families
28:08weren't major players
28:09in the New York underworld,
28:11they assumed this year
28:12would be the same
28:14until they were stopped
28:15at the gate
28:16by security.
28:17Sir,
28:18your invitation.
28:19Invitation?
28:20We come every year.
28:21We've never needed an invitation.
28:23Sorry, sir.
28:23All guests require
28:24an invitation tonight.
28:25If you don't have one,
28:26you need to leave.
28:27Do you know who we are?
28:28I'm Leo Gallo.
28:30This is Marco Falcano.
28:31We're friends of Eliana.
28:32The guard checked the list
28:33on his clipboard
28:35and shook his head.
28:37Sorry,
28:37your names aren't
28:38on the guest list.
28:39The words hung in the air.
28:41Other guests arriving
28:42at the estate
28:43slowed down.
28:44Their curiosity peaked.
28:45Soon,
28:46they were recognized.
28:46Isn't that the Gallo kid?
28:49Why is he getting
28:49held up at the gate?
28:51And the Falcone playboy.
28:54What a scene.
28:56Both ex-husbands, right?
28:58Showing up
28:58at the ex-wife's
28:59family party.
29:00Trying to get back together?
29:02Get back together?
29:04You haven't heard.
29:06Don Moretti
29:06is supposed to be
29:07announcing some good news tonight.
29:10The whispers reached
29:12Mako's ears
29:13and his face
29:13turned to stone.
29:15He hated being called
29:16a playboy.
29:17Since becoming friends
29:18with Eliana,
29:19he had never been humiliated
29:20like this.
29:21Just then,
29:22the Moretti family's
29:23old majodomo,
29:24the head of the
29:25household staff,
29:26appeared.
29:27He was dressed
29:27in a perfectly tailored
29:29black tuxedo,
29:30a polite,
29:31professional smile
29:32on his face.
29:32Mr. Gallo,
29:34Mr. Falcone,
29:35I'm very sorry,
29:36but you are not
29:37on the guest list tonight.
29:38Please,
29:39leave.
29:39That's impossible.
29:40We've come to this dinner
29:41every year.
29:42We've never been turned away.
29:43That was then.
29:44And you will not be
29:45welcome here
29:46in the future.
29:47The words hit them
29:49like a physical blow.
29:50Margot and Leo
29:51were speechless.
29:52The murmuring
29:53from the crowd
29:54grew louder.
29:55They were the butt
29:56of the joke.
29:57Finally,
29:58they had no choice
29:58but to live
29:59in disgrace.
30:00Back in the car,
30:01they sat in silence
30:02for a long time.
30:03What the hell
30:04just happened?
30:05You think,
30:06you think Alana knows?
30:07Knew what?
30:08That they had pitched
30:09Blair to divorce her?
30:10That they had dished
30:11her for some stupid party?
30:12Marco's knuckles
30:13were white
30:13on the steering wheel.
30:14Three days after
30:15being rejected
30:16from the dinner,
30:17Marco was at
30:18his family's
30:18company offices
30:19when his father
30:20called, screaming.
30:21You useless
30:22piece of shit!
30:23What the hell
30:24did you do?
30:25Dad, what's wrong?
30:26The Port Authority
30:27just informed us
30:28our shipping lane
30:28at the South Port
30:29was shut down.
30:31Some bullshit
30:31about security concerns.
30:33That route
30:34has been running
30:35for 10 years
30:36without a single problem.
30:38How does it suddenly
30:38have security concerns?
30:40Marco understood instantly.
30:41He had secured
30:42that shipping route
30:43when he got engaged
30:44to Aliana.
30:45Don Moretti
30:46had greased the wheels.
30:47The influence
30:48of the Moretti family
30:49was the only reason
30:50it had gone through.
30:51The massive profits
30:53from that single route
30:54had solidified
30:55Marcos' position
30:56in his own family,
30:58making him the one
30:59to take over.
31:00Now, with the road cut,
31:01it wasn't just
31:02a financial loss.
31:03It was an attack
31:04on the foundation
31:05of his power.
31:07I'll handle it.
31:08But, sitting in his
31:09office chair,
31:10he knew there was
31:11only one way
31:12to handle it.
31:13Ask Aliana for help.
31:15For the first time,
31:16a cold, hard truth
31:18landed on him
31:19like a ton of bricks.
31:20Without Aliana,
31:21he was a nobody.
31:23Everything he had,
31:24his status,
31:25his wealth,
31:25his respect,
31:26was built on his connection
31:27to the Moretti family.
31:29And now,
31:30his old man
31:31had to clean up his mess.
31:32After a long hesitation,
31:34Marco finally
31:35dialed Aliana's number.
31:37He had to explain
31:38to apologize
31:39to fix this.
31:40But all he heard
31:41was a robotic female voice.
31:43The number you have dialed
31:44is no longer in service.
31:46Marco stared at the phone.
31:47He'd been blocked.
31:48A hollow feeling
31:49opened up in his chest.
31:51He remembered
31:51when the fight
31:52for his family's inheritance
31:54was at its most vicious.
31:56He had asked Aliana for help.
31:58She had taken his hand
31:59and agreed
32:00without a second thought.
32:01Just like she said she would,
32:03she would always support him.
32:05Back then,
32:05he saw Aliana
32:07was the most important person
32:08in his life.
32:09He saw the whole world
32:11could change.
32:11But Aliana
32:12never would.
32:13He would always be there.
32:15Always protect him.
32:16Always have his back.
32:17Now,
32:18he couldn't even get her
32:19on the phone.
32:19Marco had no idea
32:20what to do.
32:21Leo sat in his office
32:23staring at three
32:24contract termination notices
32:25on his desk.
32:26His fingers trembled.
32:28Three companies,
32:29the backbone of his family's business,
32:31had pulled out
32:31on the same day,
32:33citing risk assessment.
32:34They said the news
32:35that you were turned away
32:36from the Moretti dinner
32:37has spread through
32:38the five families.
32:39Everyone's worried
32:39we've crossed on Moretti.
32:41They're afraid
32:42to keep doing business
32:43with us.
32:43The words struck
32:45Leo like lightning.
32:46He never imagined
32:47that that night's humiliation
32:48was more than just
32:49losing face.
32:50It was a direct hit
32:51to his family's bottom line.
32:53In the New York
32:54underworld,
32:55the Moretti family's
32:56word was law.
32:57Leo kicked over
32:58the coffee table
32:58in a fit of rage
33:00and hurled his phone
33:01against the wall.
33:02The screen spiderwebbed
33:03but remained lit.
33:04He stared at
33:05Eliana's picture
33:06on the screen,
33:07a storm of anger
33:08and self-pity
33:09brewing inside him.
33:11He couldn't understand
33:12how she could be
33:13so ruthless,
33:14giving him no warning
33:15at all.
33:15She used to be
33:16so good to him.
33:17Years ago,
33:18his father had tried
33:19to arrange
33:20a marriage for him
33:21with the daughter
33:21of an Italian mob boss
33:23to secure
33:24an arms deal.
33:25Leo wanted nothing
33:26to do with
33:26the notoriously
33:27spoiled brat
33:28and was desperate
33:29for a way out.
33:30Just for show,
33:31we'll divorce in a year.
33:33You'll be free,
33:34I'll be free.
33:34But in his heart,
33:36it was never
33:36just for show.
33:37From the first time
33:38he saw her as a kid,
33:40he was captivated.
33:41He remembered waking up
33:42in the hospital once
33:43and she was sitting
33:44by his bed,
33:45her eyes red and swollen.
33:47Leo, thank you.
33:49You'll always be
33:50my best friend.
33:51Friend,
33:52that's all she ever
33:53saw him as.
33:53When he tried
33:54to delay the divorce,
33:55all she said was
33:56there wasn't a trace
33:57of affection in her voice.
33:59So,
34:00he grew to despise Blair.
34:01He was eaten up
34:02with jealousy
34:03that Blair was the one
34:05who had won
34:06Ileana's love.
34:07If he couldn't have her,
34:08why should Blair?
34:09Leo had been the first one
34:10to plant the
34:11fake divorce idea.
34:14He knew it was cruel
34:15to Ileana,
34:16but he thought
34:16it would show her
34:17who really loved her.
34:19Once she was single,
34:20he'd have his shot.
34:21He'd make her see him.
34:23He never imagined that
34:25once she was divorced,
34:26she wouldn't even look back
34:27in his direction.
34:28She just cut them all off.
34:30It was late
34:30when Leo got home.
34:32The butler told him
34:33Don Gallo was waiting
34:34in the study.
34:34He pushed open the door
34:36and saw his father
34:37sitting on the sofa,
34:38his face a sundercloud.
34:40Dad,
34:41I know what you want
34:42to talk about.
34:42You know?
34:43Do you know
34:44how much money
34:45the company lost today?
34:47Do you have any idea
34:48how much damage
34:49you've done
34:49to this family's reputation?
34:51Years ago,
34:52you said you wanted
34:53to marry the Morelli girl.
34:55I supported you
34:56because it was good
34:57for the family.
34:58Now you've divorced her,
34:59pissed her off,
35:00and run this family
35:01into the ground.
35:02What's your plan?
35:05I'll figure something out.
35:06Figure something out?
35:08What can you figure out?
35:10Don Maramoretti
35:11has made his position clear.
35:13We're being shut out
35:14by the five families.
35:15He put a file
35:17from a drawer
35:17and threw it on the desk
35:19in front of Leo.
35:20This is the file
35:21on the eldest daughter
35:22of the Benedetti family.
35:2423 years old,
35:25Stanford business degree.
35:27Easy on the eyes, too.
35:28Dad, what are you saying?
35:30The engagement
35:31is next month.
35:32You're married in six.
35:33This alliance
35:34will get our family
35:35through this crisis.
35:37And this time,
35:38there's no one left
35:38to save you.
35:39Leo wanted to argue,
35:40but the words
35:41died in his throat.
35:42It was true.
35:43There was no one
35:43left to save him.
35:44Eliana was gone.
35:46After his father left,
35:47Leo sat alone
35:48in his study,
35:49feeling completely hollowed out.
35:51He went to the safe,
35:52entered the combination,
35:53and from the very back,
35:55he pulled out a photograph.
35:56It was a candid photo
35:57he'd secretly taken
35:59over a decade ago.
36:00Eliana, at 15,
36:01laughing in a garden.
36:02She was wearing
36:03a white dress,
36:04sunlight filtering
36:05through the leaves
36:06onto her face.
36:07She was looking down,
36:08smiling at a small kitten.
36:09Leo stared at the photo,
36:11his heart twisting
36:12in his chest.
36:13He finally understood
36:14a brutal, simple fact.
36:17For him and Eliana,
36:18it was over.
36:19There was nothing left.
36:20Take me around the world,
36:21will you?
36:22It's been my dream
36:24since I was a little girl
36:25to see the whole world
36:26with the person I love.
36:28Leo looked at her hopeful smile,
36:30and a wave of disgust
36:31washed over him.
36:32But the memory
36:33of her suicide attempt
36:34was still fresh.
36:35He forced a nod.
36:37Okay.
36:37And so their long journey began.
36:39From the islands
36:40of Southeast Asia
36:41to the ancient cities
36:42of Europe,
36:43from the savannas
36:44of Africa
36:45to the rainforests
36:46of South America,
36:47Lucia was as excited
36:49as a child,
36:50insisting they do
36:50all the things couples do.
36:52But Blair's mind
36:53was a million miles away.
36:54Every sunset,
36:56every sunrise,
36:57every beautiful landscape
36:58only made him think
36:59of Eliana.
37:00Would she have liked it here?
37:01Would she be taking pictures
37:02excitedly like Lucia?
37:03The thoughts
37:04were a constant torment.
37:06Hida told himself
37:07he needed space
37:08from Eliana.
37:09Time to think.
37:10It's human nature,
37:11he gasped.
37:12You get used to what you have,
37:13and you start thinking
37:14about what you lost.
37:15For him,
37:16that was Lucia,
37:17the one that got away,
37:18the ghost he could never shake.
37:19They had been close,
37:20real close.
37:21This was all before Eliana.
37:23Then Marco and Leo
37:24introduced him to her,
37:25and he found out
37:26she was the Eliana Moretti,
37:28the princess every guy
37:29in their world wanted.
37:30Back then,
37:31with his family being small time,
37:33she was completely
37:34out of his league.
37:35He was jealous as hell
37:36of Marco and Leo.
37:37They got to be close to her,
37:39treated her like one of the guys,
37:40so he fought his way
37:42into their circle.
37:43The chase was everything,
37:44and when he finally got her,
37:46his family's power started
37:47to grow too.
37:48For the first time,
37:49he felt like he was on her level,
37:51but comfort turns into boredom.
37:54Even the best story gets old,
37:56if you read it enough times.
37:59So this whole April Fool's thing,
38:01it was his out.
38:02A way to finally keep his promise
38:04to Lucia,
38:05and maybe just a way
38:06for him to breathe.
38:07But now that it was done,
38:09it didn't feel like
38:10the easy escape he'd imagined.
38:11The thrill of betrayal was real,
38:13but it left a strange taste
38:15in his mouth,
38:16an emptiness he couldn't explain.
38:18He tried to break it off
38:19with Lucia several times
38:21to tell her how he really felt,
38:23but every time he was about to speak,
38:25she would conveniently get sick,
38:27allergies,
38:28high fevers.
38:29Each time,
38:30she would look at him
38:31with those big,
38:32beautiful eyes.
38:33Blair,
38:34I'm so glad you're here.
38:36What would I do without you?
38:38Defeated,
38:39Blair would put out the breakup
38:40and take care of her.
38:41The trip dragged on like this
38:43for three months
38:43until Blair overheard Lucia
38:45on a video call
38:46with a friend.
38:47You have no idea
38:48Blair is completely
38:50wrapped around my finger.
38:51I have the doctor
38:53write fake medical notes.
38:55Every time he tries
38:56to break up with me,
38:57I get sick
38:57and he turns into a puddle.
38:59I've already sent
39:00all our pictures together
39:01to Alana.
39:02I told her Blair chose me
39:04and that she should
39:05stop bothering him.
39:06She should have given up
39:07for good by now.
39:09Lucia,
39:09you're amazing.
39:11You even stole a man
39:12from a Moradi?
39:13What good is being born
39:14into a powerful family?
39:16She still couldn't
39:17keep her man.
39:18I just wanted her to know
39:19that Blair dumped her
39:20for me.
39:21Next step
39:22is to get pregnant.
39:24I'll drug him again
39:25just like that first night.
39:27Then he'll have to marry me.
39:28Listening to this
39:29vicious scheming,
39:30Blair's mind went blank.
39:32The sicknesses were fake.
39:33Her innocence was fake.
39:35And she had a contact
39:35to Alana,
39:36torturing her
39:37with those photos.
39:38A blind rage took over.
39:40He threw the door open
39:41and stormed in.
39:42What did you just say?
39:44Blair,
39:45you're back?
39:46I was just joking around.
39:48Joking?
39:49You drugged me?
39:51Used fake doctor's notes
39:52to lie to me?
39:53You sent pictures
39:54to Alana to torture her?
39:55Was that all a joke too?
39:57Blair,
39:57let me explain.
39:58I only did it
39:59because I love you so much.
40:00I was afraid of losing you.
40:02Enough!
40:02Blair,
40:03where are you going?
40:04He sped to the airport.
40:06Only one thought
40:07in his mind,
40:08get back to New York,
40:09find Liana
40:10and explain everything.
40:11During the long flight,
40:12Blair replayed
40:13the last three months
40:14in his head.
40:15Every time Luchel was sick,
40:16every pitiful look
40:17now seemed disgusting.
40:18And because of those lies,
40:20he had wasted three months.
40:21The next evening,
40:22after landing,
40:23Blair's first stop
40:24was a jeweler.
40:25He bought a diamond ring.
40:27He hadn't forgotten
40:28his promise to Alana
40:30that he would give her
40:31a ring that was hers alone.
40:33Then,
40:34he drove to
40:35the Moderati family estate.
40:36He knew
40:37she would be there.
40:38The whole way,
40:39he rehearsed
40:40what he would say,
40:41how he would beg
40:42for her forgiveness.
40:43Finally,
40:44he pulled up
40:45to the familiar gates.
40:46He practically
40:47beat on the massive door.
40:49Open up!
40:51Ileana!
40:52I know you're in there!
40:53He pandered
40:54for what felt like
40:55an eternity
40:56before the door
40:56finally opened.
40:57Ileana stood there
40:59in a loose silk robe
41:00her hair
41:00pinned up carelessly.
41:02She looked relaxed,
41:03happy.
41:04But what made Blair freeze?
41:05What turned his blood to ice
41:06was the sight
41:07of her slightly rounded belly,
41:08barely hidden
41:09by the flowing fabric.
41:10She looked to be
41:11about four months along.
41:12Seeing Ileana pregnant,
41:14Blair was first shocked,
41:16then filled
41:16with a wave of joy
41:17and crushing guilt.
41:18He did a math.
41:19Four months.
41:20The timing was perfect.
41:22The baby
41:22had to be his.
41:24His heart hammered
41:25against his ribs
41:26and his eyes burned.
41:27My God!
41:28She's pregnant
41:29with my child
41:30and I've been
41:31traveling the world
41:32with Lucia.
41:33Ellie,
41:34I'm here to take you home.
41:35We'll get married again.
41:36I know I was wrong.
41:38I-
41:38Before he could finish,
41:39a man's hand
41:40reached out
41:41from inside the doorway,
41:42planting itself firmly
41:43on his chest,
41:44stopping him.
41:45Ileana took a step back
41:47and the man beside her
41:48wrapped a protective arm
41:49around her waist.
41:50The movement
41:51was so natural,
41:52so practiced,
41:53as if they had done it
41:54a thousand times.
41:56Blair's words
41:56died in his throat.
41:58He stared in shock
41:59at the man
42:00who had appeared
42:00from the shadows.
42:01He was handsome,
42:02maybe in his early thirties.
42:04Dressed in a tailored
42:05navy blue robe,
42:06he stood with the easy
42:07confidence
42:08of a man born to power.
42:10But what Joe Blair
42:11insane with jealousy
42:12was the look
42:12in Ileana's eyes
42:13when she looked
42:14at the man.
42:15It was a tenderness
42:16he had never seen before.
42:17Ileana leaned
42:18into the man's embrace,
42:19a look of pure bliss
42:21he'd never seen
42:21on her before.
42:22She looked at Blair,
42:24her tone light.
42:25Get married again?
42:27Why don't you ask
42:28my husband
42:29if that's okay with him?
42:31Blair was completely stunned.
42:33His eyes dotted
42:33between Ileana,
42:35the man beside her,
42:36and her pregnant belly.
42:37His brain
42:37couldn't process
42:38the information.
42:39Husband,
42:40he looked closely
42:41at the man
42:42and the memory sparked.
42:43This was the man
42:44in the dark gray suit
42:45he had bumped into
42:47outside the lawyer's office
42:48on the day
42:49of the divorce.
42:50He also remembered
42:51who he was,
42:53Lorenzo De Luca.
42:54The De Luccas
42:55were one of the few families
42:57on the same level
42:58as the Morettis
42:59in New York.
43:00The baby,
43:02is it mine?
43:04What do you think?
43:05Lorenzo didn't speak,
43:07but the look
43:07he gave Ileana's stomach
43:09was filled with
43:10the soft joy
43:10and protectiveness
43:11of a father-to-be.
43:13His hand gently
43:14rubbed her back.
43:15Blair's face
43:15went ashen.
43:16He understood.
43:18The baby wasn't his,
43:19it couldn't be.
43:20In the three months
43:21he was traveling
43:22the world with Lucia,
43:23Eleana hadn't just remarried.
43:25She was pregnant
43:25with another man's child
43:27and she looked happy.
43:28No.
43:30That's impossible.
43:31Ellie,
43:32we had a deal.
43:32It was a fake divorce.
43:34It was an April Fool's joke.
43:35Sorry, Blair.
43:36In our world,
43:37there are no jokes.
43:38Only contracts.
43:40And ours has been terminated.
43:41But,
43:42since you seem
43:42to enjoy holidays,
43:44allow me to wish you one.
43:46Happy April Fool's, Blair.
43:47The heavy door
43:49swung shut in his face.
43:51Blair stood before
43:52the closed door,
43:53his entire world collapsing.
43:54He finally understood
43:56the look in Eleana's eyes
43:57when she signed the papers.
43:59It wasn't calm.
44:00It was finality.
44:01It was acceptance.
44:02It was the look of someone
44:04who had completely given up.
44:06She never had any intention
44:07of getting back together with him.
44:09From the moment
44:10she signed that paper,
44:12she had deleted him
44:13from her life.
44:14Blair stood outside
44:15the gate all night
44:16until security forced him
44:18to leave at dawn.
44:19The months that followed
44:20were a downward spiral
44:21for all three men.
44:22Shammed by the Moretti family,
44:24Marco and Leo
44:25quickly lost their standing
44:26in their own families.
44:28Without the Moretti connection,
44:29the networks
44:30they had built vanished.
44:31But the blow
44:32to Blair's Russo family
44:33was fatal.
44:34The scandal
44:35of forcing his wife
44:36into a fake divorce
44:38for his mistress
44:39was leaked
44:39and it spread like wildfire
44:41through the upper crest.
44:42This story was so absurd,
44:44so pathetic,
44:45that the Russo family
44:46became a laughingstock.
44:48Their influence
44:48evaporated overnight.
44:50Blair didn't care.
44:52He was living in a fantasy,
44:54convinced that
44:55Eliana's baby was his,
44:57that she was just angry
44:59and would come back
45:00to him eventually.
45:01Then,
45:02Lucia delivered
45:03the final blow.
45:04She secretly drained
45:05the lust of Marcos,
45:07Leo's,
45:07and Blair's savings
45:08and disappeared.
45:10Blair was forced
45:10to move out
45:11of his family's estate
45:12and into a small apartment
45:14on the other side
45:15of the city.
45:16He printed out
45:17every picture he had
45:18of him and Eliana
45:19and covered
45:20an entire wall
45:21with them.
45:22He spent his days
45:23looking at the few things
45:25he had left
45:25of their life together,
45:27including the ring
45:28he never got to give her.
45:29At night,
45:30he would stare at the photos
45:31and muttered to himself,
45:33She still loves me.
45:35I know she still loves me.
45:36A few months later,
45:38he heard a news report
45:39on the TV
45:40at the convenience store.
45:42Mr. Lorenzo De Luca
45:43and his wife,
45:45Mrs. Eliana Moretti,
45:46attended a charity gala
45:48this evening.
45:49Blair lunged
45:50toward the TV.
45:51His eyes glued
45:52to the screen.
45:53There she was.
45:54Lorenzo was gently
45:55helping a radiant Eliana,
45:57dressed in an elegant
45:58evening gown,
46:00walk the red carpet.
46:01She was dazzling,
46:02her smile so bright
46:03it was hard to look away.
46:05Lorenzo would lean down
46:06to whisper in her ear
46:07and she would laugh.
46:08They looked so perfect together,
46:10so in love.
46:11The camera zoomed in
46:12and Blair saw
46:13the brilliant diamond ring
46:14on Eliana's hand
46:16and the priceless necklace
46:17around her throat.
46:18They were from Lorenzo.
46:19Blair stumbled back
46:20to his apartment
46:21in a daze,
46:22collapsed to the floor
46:23and stared at the empty room.
46:25He started to laugh,
46:26a wild, unhinged sound.
46:28Then the laughter
46:29turned to tears.
46:30He killed it up
46:31on the floor,
46:32his back against
46:33the wall of photos
46:34and sobbed,
46:35loud and broken,
46:36like a little boy.
46:37He had lost everything,
46:38his family,
46:39his status,
46:40his money,
46:41and most importantly,
46:42his Eliana.
46:43And he was all
46:44his own damn thought.
46:45He has lost everything.
46:46He addicted to his soul.
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