Divorced as a joke by her husband and two exes on April Fools' Day, Eliana refuses to be defeated. Within one hour, she marries the powerful Don. Three men who betrayed her thought they could toy with her—but they have made a terrible mistake. Now they will face the cruel consequences of crossing a ruthless mafia wife. Watch this gripping sweet romance full of revenge, power, and unexpected love!
#ThreeExHusbandsOneScam #ModernSweetRomance #MafiaWifeRevenge #AprilFoolsDivorce #ShortDrama #MicroDrama #DailymotionRomance
#ThreeExHusbandsOneScam #ModernSweetRomance #MafiaWifeRevenge #AprilFoolsDivorce #ShortDrama #MicroDrama #DailymotionRomance
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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 Blair.
02:01Babe, how was the trip?
02:03Got home soon.
02:04I miss you.
02:05I stated the words, I miss you, and almost laughed.
02:08I got out of the car, tossed the box of chocolates in the trash, and pushed open the front door.
02:13Blair shot up from the sofa, a perfect smile on his face.
02:17Ellie, you're back.
02:20How was the road?
02:21He walked over, smoothly taking my coat and handbag, and gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
02:27He'd done it for a year.
02:28It always made me feel warm.
02:30Now, it just made me sick.
02:32I 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.
02:58It'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 with a
04:06clean, sharp stroke.
04:08Done.
04:08You should call them now.
04:10I want to hear it when their jaws hit the glom.
04:12Blair froze for a second, clearly not expecting me to sign so quickly, so decisively.
04:17I pushed the papers back to him with a sweet smile.
04:19He looked a bit dazed as he collected the agreement, then planted a soft kiss on my forehead.
04:24I knew you'd understand.
04:26You're the best wife in the world.
04:28Then he took his phone and walked into the study.
04:31I sat in the living room.
04:33Through the half-open study door,
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, my own phone laid up with two messages.
05:00The first, from Marco.
05:02Long time no see, when I get together.
05:05The second, from Leo.
05:07Ellie, heard you're 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 and arrange 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, I silently pulled the suitcase from the closet.
05:37After a year of marriage, I didn't have much.
05:40The clothes and jewelry Blair had given me, I left them all behind.
05:44Just as I was tipping up the suitcase, the doorbell rang.
05:47It was Lucia.
05:48I sat at the door and watched as she stumbled in, drunk, and threw herself into Blair's arms.
05:56Blair, I missed you so I came over.
05:59Blair instinctively glanced back at me, a flash of panic in his eyes.
06:04Lucia'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 in 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, his 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, I 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, and everyone else kept their distance because of the Moretti name.
07:17Only Marco was willing to teach me how to shoot, taking me to the range every weekend.
07:22Leo even took a bullet for me from a rival family.
07:25He still has the scar on his left shoulder.
07:27Back 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, including Marco's and Leo's.
07:42They started revolving around her, forming a new circle.
07:45I was slowly pushed to the sidelines, only remembered when they needed the Moretti family to solve a 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, the 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, but I really didn't mean to.
08:13Marco's heart instantly melted.
08:15He gently steadied her, and the look he gave me was sharp with annoyance.
08:20What are you talking about?
08:21Nobody stole anybody.
08:22That'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.
08:31I 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, clearly not expecting me to announce it like this.
08:46But he recovered quickly.
08:47He took a step forward, his voice dripping with fake concern.
08:53Ileana, you don't have to do this.
08:55Well, if you're divorced, then I guess you'll be giving me my ring back.
08:58Aphros, my eyes dropping to the diamond on my ring finger.
09:02What do you mean?
09:03My voice was dry.
09:04Lucia smiled smugly.
09:05Take the ring off and look at the inner bang.
09:08My name is still engraved on it.
09:10Slowly, I twisted off the ring that had once made my heart leap and turned it over.
09:15Among the delicate filigree, I saw our names, Blair and Eliana.
09:20But in a tiny, almost hidden spot was a line in Italian, per semperi mia Lucia.
09:26In that moment, the world started to spin.
09:29I looked at Blair, desperate for him to explain, to deny it, to tell me it was all a mistake.
09:35But he wouldn't meet my eyes.
09:36He just stood there, silent.
09:38I remembered the day he proposed.
09:41He was on one knee, looking at me with so much love.
09:45I had this ring custom made just for you.
09:47It's one of a kind in the world, just like you are in my heart.
09:49I cried, thinking I was the luckiest woman alive.
09:52It turned out, the 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, I was just the placeholder.
10:02I looked down at the divorce papers, and suddenly, I smiled.
10:06Right then, I was so glad I had signed them.
10:09I said, placing the ring on the coffee table.
10:12If it has your name on it, then it's yours.
10:18Lucia's eyes lit up.
10:20She snatched the ring, slid it onto her own finger, and admired it.
10:24Thank you, Eliana.
10:26It really does suit me.
10:27Eliana, let me explain.
10:29Blair finally said, stepping forward to grab my hand.
10:33But, I had already turned, and was walking toward the stairs.
10:37Don't bother.
10:39Since we're divorced, I shouldn't be living here anymore.
10:42My office, 9 a.m. tomorrow, will finish the paperwork.
10:45I dragged my suitcase out the door, with Blair calling my name behind me.
10:49Full of panic, I didn't stop.
10:51From behind me, I heard Marco's low chuckle.
10:55Nice one, Blair.
10:56She folded even caster than when Leo and I got her to sign our marriage contracts.
11:00Lucia can't wait much longer.
11:01Here, let's head out tomorrow.
11:03Once the car was moving, my phone buzzed.
11:06A text from Blair.
11:07Eliana, I will explain about the ring.
11:09Find a place to stay for now, and I'll come get you in a few days.
11:13Be good.
11:13Don't overthink things.
11:15I looked at the message, a sneer playing on my lips.
11:18He still thinks I'm coming back.
11:19I gave my dad a call.
11:21Father, I'm divorced.
11:23That arranged marriage you mentioned, is the offer still on the table?
11:26Of course, my dear daughter.
11:28I'm glad you finally made a wise decision.
11:30A year ago, after my second divorce, my father had suggested an arranged marriage to a man
11:37from a powerful, allied family.
11:39But I was lost in my fantasy of falling in love with Blair and refused how stupid I had
11:45been.
11:46Half an hour later, I got a new friend request on my phone.
11:49The message read,
11:50Time to meet your fiance.
11:52The next morning, at 9, I arrived at my downtown office with the Moretti family's private
11:58lawyer.
11:58Blair was already there, looking exhausted and anxious.
12:02He clearly hadn't slept.
12:03Ileana, about the ring, I have to explain.
12:06The jeweler messed up the engraving.
12:07I was going to get it replaced, but there wasn't time, and I didn't want to upset you
12:11over something so small.
12:12I figured I'd quietly get you a new one after the wedding.
12:15Ileana, I know this hurt you, but you have to believe me, what I feel for you is real.
12:20After this month, after I handle things with Lucia, we'll get remarried.
12:23I promise I'll make it up to you with the most beautiful wedding ring in the world.
12:27One month, he meant that after he finished his romantic getaway with Lucia, he expected
12:32him to remarry me like nothing happened.
12:35I understand.
12:36I was done listening to his shameless excuses.
12:38I turned to my lawyer.
12:40Let's just get this done.
12:41Blair looked stunned, probably not expecting me to be so cooperative.
12:45The whole process was quicker than I thought.
12:48Signatures, witnesses, a legally binding contract.
12:51In less than half an hour, our marriage was officially over.
12:56The moment we stepped out of the office, Blair's phone rang.
13:00He glanced at the caller ID, and his whole face softened.
13:03He answered, his voice gentle.
13:06Lucia, okay, I'm on my way.
13:11Don't worry, I'll take care of you.
13:14Wait for me, I'll be right there.
13:15He hung up and turned to me, the tenderness from the call still lingering in his eyes.
13:21He tried to look conflicted.
13:23Ileana, Lucia isn't feeling well.
13:25I have to go check on her.
13:27Wait here for me, and I'll be back to take you wherever you're staying.
13:30Then he rushed off without a second glance.
13:33I stood in the lobby, watching his hurry retreat.
13:35A wave of sadness and relief washing over me.
13:39That was the man I once loved so deeply.
13:41Not one minute after our divorce was final.
13:44He was already running to another woman.
13:47I turned and walked toward a conference room at the other end of the hall.
13:52My new fiancé was waiting.
13:54Meanwhile, after waiting by the building's entrance for nearly 10 minutes and seeing no
13:59sign of Eliana, Blair decided to go back up to remind her about the plan.
14:03Just as he reached the entrance, he slammed right into a man walking out.
14:08Papers scattered across the mobile floor.
14:11Blair's divorce decree mixed with the other man's documents.
14:14A gust of wind from the revolving door flipped open the cover of one file.
14:20It was a marriage contract.
14:21As Blair bent down to grab his papers, he caught a glimpse of the photo on that contract.
14:26He froze.
14:27He only saw a small part of it, but that profile, the side of that face.
14:32The man sat politely, quickly gathering his files.
14:35Excuse me.
14:36Blair looked up, trying to get a clear look at the man's face.
14:39But he had already put on a pair of sunglasses, revealing only a sharp jawline and thin lips.
14:44There was an aristocratic air about him that felt strangely familiar to Blair.
14:50It's fine.
14:51Blair replied that his eyes were glued to the marriage contract in the man's hands.
14:55The man finished collecting his things and headed for the exit.
14:59Blair stood there, a ridiculous thought growing stronger in his mind.
15:03Who signs a marriage contract on April Fool's Day and a photo on that contract?
15:08Even though he only saw a corner of it, why 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!
15:21Just as Blair called out to the man, his phone rang.
15:25It was Leo.
15:26He hesitated, then picked up.
15:27Blair, where the hell are you?
15:29We're all waiting.
15:29When Blair looked up again, the man was gone.
15:32A black rose rose peeled around the corner.
15:34Shit.
15:35A second later, a text from Mako came through with correspondence.
15:39Get a move on.
15:40We need to be on the private island in the Bahamas before sunset.
15:44Lucia's waiting.
15:45Blair stared at the screen, and a memory hit him.
15:47A promise he'd buried for years.
15:49It was Lucia's dream, back 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, everything 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, everyone 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.
17:10He'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,
17:28Lucia 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.
17:46Alright,
17:47I'll take my punishment.
17:49The guys saw the vibe
17:50and started whooping and hollering
17:52and knowing glint in their eyes.
17:54Blair still got it bad for Lucia!
17:57What,
17:58you 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
18:13a glass of champagne,
18:14Marco intercepted,
18:15swapping the flute in her hand
18:17for 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.
18:31Everyone stared.
18:32Sick.
18:33What are you talking about?
18:34Blair's champagne glass
18:36hung in midair,
18:37his eyes locked on Lucia.
18:39In the stoutness silence,
18:41Lucia suddenly burst out laughing,
18:43covering her mouth,
18:44her eyes dancing with mischief.
18:47April fools!
18:49Raising her juice glass,
18:50almost doubled over with laughter.
18:52I'm not dying!
18:54I just needed an excuse
18:56to get everyone together
18:58for a wild party!
19:01Blair froze solid.
19:02The sound of waves
19:04crashing against the rocks
19:05seemed suddenly louder.
19:07The distant cries of seabirds
19:09mocking his stupidity.
19:11Lucia wasn't sick.
19:12This was all a joke.
19:13He thought about how he divorced
19:15Eliana for this joke.
19:17He thought about Eliana's
19:19unnervingly calm expression
19:20as she signed the papers
19:22about the missing diamond bracelet
19:24on her wrist.
19:25A hot flash of anger
19:27shot through him.
19:28His 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
19:42on this beautiful island.
19:43Lucia,
19:44even for an April Fool's joke,
19:46that was a little much.
19:49Yeah,
19:49we were all really worried.
19:52Blair just stood there,
19:54the champagne foot
19:55trembling in his hand.
19:58Seeing his dark expression,
20:00Lucia immediately put on
20:02her best,
20:02innocent,
20:03hurt look.
20:05She walked up to him,
20:07tugging lightly on his sleeve,
20:08her eyes welling up.
20:10Blair,
20:11are you mad at me?
20:12I just,
20:13I just missed the days
20:14when we were all together.
20:16Her eyes were red
20:17as if she was about to cry.
20:20I know you have
20:20your own life now,
20:21you have a wife,
20:23but our friendship,
20:25all the good times we had,
20:28that was all real,
20:29wasn't it?
20:30That fragile,
20:32helpless look
20:33hit Blair
20:33right in his weak spot.
20:35He remembered
20:36the 17-year-old Lucia
20:38the first time she'd cried
20:40and asked him for help
20:41and the fierce,
20:43protective urge
20:44he'd felt.
20:45That feeling
20:46had never
20:47completely disappeared.
20:49The others
20:50started chiming in.
20:52Some cousin
20:53from a pissing family
20:54snickered.
20:55Someone we know
20:56could never
20:57stay mad at her.
20:59Damn right!
21:01Back in school,
21:02anyone who messed
21:03with Lucia
21:04had to answer to Blair.
21:05He would have put a guy
21:06in the ground for her!
21:10Everyone laughed
21:11and the tension
21:12started to fade.
21:14Blair looked at Lucia
21:15at the verge of tears
21:16and finally caved.
21:19I'm not angry,
21:20just surprised.
21:22Lucia's face
21:23broke into a smile.
21:24She pushed a drink
21:26into his hand.
21:26Her cheeks flushed
21:28as she looked up at him.
21:30Thank you for coming out
21:30with 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
21:40in front of him,
21:41and the anger and suspicion
21:43began to mount away.
21:45Screw it,
21:46he thought.
21:47Let's just call it
21:48a 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
21:58hit its peak,
22:00Hey, Blair's divorced
22:01and Lucia's single!
22:03It's perfect!
22:08Everyone 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!
22:20Blair even divorced
22:21the Moretti princess
22:22for Lucia!
22:23It's on you now, Lucia!
22:25The crowd went wild,
22:27cheering and whistling,
22:28the sound echoing
22:29across the island.
22:31Lucia's face
22:32turned beet red,
22:33and she shyly looked down,
22:35but the slight curve
22:36of her lips
22:36showed she didn't mind
22:37one bit.
22:39Blair stood frozen,
22:41the deafening chants
22:42ringing in his ears,
22:43but his mind
22:44flashed back
22:45to Eliana's eyes,
22:46in the office that day,
22:48so calm,
22:49so final.
22:51He'd thought
22:51she was calm
22:52because she knew
22:53the divorce was fake.
22:55Now,
22:55he wasn't so sure.
22:57The look in her eyes,
22:59it was like
23:00she was looking
23:00at a stranger,
23:01not the husband
23:03she loved.
23:03Lucia whined,
23:05a hint of complaint
23:06in her tone.
23:07Blair?
23:08You're not gonna join
23:10in their teasing,
23:11are you?
23:12Blair snapped back
23:13to reality.
23:14He looked at the girl,
23:16who had been
23:17his first love,
23:18opened his mouth
23:19to say something,
23:20but the words
23:21got stuck.
23:23He couldn't figure it out.
23:25Wasn't this
23:26exactly what he wanted?
23:28This escape?
23:29This freedom?
23:30So,
23:31why did he feel
23:32so damn empty?
23:33The party ended
23:33in 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
24:02made his thoughts
24:03feel like sludge.
24:04He slowly opened his eyes
24:06and saw a spill of black hair
24:08on the pillow
24:08next to him.
24:09Not Eliana's wavy
24:10chestnut hair.
24:11This was straight
24:12and jet black.
24:13He shot up,
24:14suddenly half sober.
24:16It was Lucia,
24:16the sheet had stepped
24:18down to her waist.
24:19Her shoulders were bare.
24:20Fragments of the night before
24:21flash 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...
24:29God.
24:30Blair cursed,
24:32rubbing his temples hard.
24:33He instinctively
24:34grabbed his phone.
24:35No messages
24:36from Eliana.
24:37That wasn't right.
24:38Usually,
24:39if he was gone
24:40for 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 a dozen messages
24:48a day,
24:48just all that little stuff.
24:50He used to find it
24:51a little annoying.
24:52Now,
24:53the silence
24:53was unnerving.
24:54Why hadn't she sent
24:55a single text this time?
24:57Did she really not care
24:58about the divorce?
24:59To a stand,
25:00Lucia stirred beside him.
25:02She slowly opened her eyes,
25:03and a satisfied smile
25:05spread across her face
25:06when she saw him
25:07sitting there.
25:08Good morning, Blair.
25:11Lucia, I'm sorry.
25:12I was drunk last night.
25:13We shouldn't have...
25:14What the hell
25:15is that supposed 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
25:22me off with that?
25:23She tried to get out of bed,
25:25but her legs gave out,
25:26and she nearly fell.
25:27Blair instinctively
25:28caught 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,
25:34how long are you
25:35going to keep up this act?
25:37The devoted husband act?
25:38Did you forget?
25:40It was Alana's old man
25:41who put a gun
25:42to 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
25:51to do a 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,
26:37her whole body shaking.
26:39Suddenly,
26:40she lands for the vanity
26:41and grabbed the 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!
26:55Alright, alright,
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.
27:12I know I'm terrible,
27:13I'm selfish,
27:14but I really do love you.
27:15Just stay with me
27:16for a while,
27:17just until you figure out
27:18what you really want.
27:19Please?
27:20Okay, I'll stay.
27:21Lucia's tears
27:22tend to a smile.
27:24She immediately
27:24grabbed his phone.
27:26Before Blair could react,
27:27she had his contacts
27:28open
27:29and was deleting a name.
27:30What are you doing?
27:31Deleting everything,
27:33Aliana.
27:33This way you can be
27:34with me in peace.
27:35No distractions.
27:36Blair watched
27:37as Aileen's phone number,
27:39her private messages,
27:40her email address,
27:41all of it disappeared
27:42one by one.
27:43A strange panic seized him
27:45that he'd already
27:46given his word.
27:47He could only watch
27:48as her name
27:48was erased from his life.
27:50After a week
27:51of partying
27:51on the island,
27:52Marco and Leo
27:53headed back to New York.
27:55Lucia was stuck
27:56to Blair like glue
27:56and they were sick
27:57of watching
27:58the happy couple.
27:59Besides,
28:00tonight was
28:00the Moretti family's
28:01annual dinner.
28:02In past years,
28:04Eliana would have been
28:05excited to invite them.
28:07Even though
28:07their own families
28:08weren't major players
28:09in the New York underworld,
28:11they assumed
28:12this 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
28:22an 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
28:27who we are?
28:28I'm Leo Gallo.
28:30This is Marco Falcano.
28:31We're friends of Eliana.
28:32The guard checked
28:33the list
28:33on his clipboard
28:35and shook his head.
28:37Sorry,
28:37your names
28:38aren't on the guest list.
28:39The words
28:40hung in the air.
28:41Other guests
28:42arriving at the estate
28:43slowed down.
28:44Their curiosity
28:45peaked.
28:45Soon,
28:46they were recognized.
28:47Isn't that
28:47the 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,
28:57right?
28:58Showing up
28:58at the ex-wife's
28:59family party
29:00trying to get
29:01back together?
29:02Get back together?
29:04You haven't heard.
29:05Don Moretti
29:06is supposed to be
29:07announcing
29:07some good news tonight.
29:10The whispers
29:11reached Marco's ears
29:13and his face
29:13turned to stone.
29:15He hated
29:15being called
29:16a playboy.
29:17Since becoming
29:18friends with Eliana,
29:19he had never
29:20been humiliated
29:20like this.
29:21Just then,
29:22the Moretti family's
29:23old majordomo,
29:24the head of
29:25the household staff,
29:26appeared.
29:27He was dressed
29:27in a perfectly
29:28tailored black tuxedo,
29:30a polite,
29:31professional smile
29:32on his face.
29:33Mr. Gallo,
29:34Mr. Falcone,
29:35I'm very sorry,
29:36but you are not
29:37on the guest list
29:38tonight.
29:38Please, leave.
29:39That's impossible.
29:40We've come to this
29:41dinner every year.
29:42We've never been
29:42turned away.
29:43That was then.
29:44And you will not
29:45be welcome here
29:46in the future.
29:47The words hit them
29:49like a physical blow.
29:50Marco and Leo
29:51were speechless.
29:52The murmuring
29:53from the crowd
29:54grew louder.
29:55They were the
29:55butt of 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 Eliana knows?
30:07Knew what?
30:08That they had pitched
30:09Blair to divorce her?
30:10That they had
30:10dished her for
30:11some 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,
30:21screaming.
30:22You useless
30:22piece of shit!
30:23What the hell
30:24did you do?
30:24Dad,
30:25what'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 ten years
30:36without a single problem.
30:37How does it suddenly
30:38have security concerns?
30:40Marco understood instantly.
30:41He had secured
30:42the shipping route
30:43when he got engaged
30:44to Eliana.
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
30:54has solidified
30:55Marcos' position
30:56in his own family,
30:58making him the one
30:59to take over.
31:00Now,
31:00with 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.
31:06I'll handle it.
31:08But,
31:09sitting in his office chair,
31:10he knew
31:11there was only one way
31:12to handle it.
31:13ask Eliana for help.
31:15For the first time,
31:16a cold,
31:17hard truth
31:18landed on him
31:19like a ton of bricks.
31:20Without Eliana,
31:21he was a nobody.
31:23Everything he had,
31:24his status,
31:25his wealth,
31:25his respect,
31:26was built
31:27on 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 Eliana'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 Eliana
31:57for 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 Eliana
32:07was the most important person
32:08in his life.
32:09He saw the whole world
32:11could change,
32:11but Eliana
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 contract
32:24termination 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,
32:32citing 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
32:40we've crossed on Moretti.
32:41They're afraid
32:42to keep doing business with us.
32:43The words struck Leo
32:45like lightning.
32:46He never imagined
32:47that that night's humiliation
32:48was more than just losing face.
32:50It was a direct hit
32:51to his family's bottom line.
32:53In the New York underworld,
32:55the Moretti family's word
32:56was 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 spider webbed
33:03but remained lit.
33:04He stared at Eliana'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 so ruthless,
33:14giving him no warning at all.
33:15She used to be so good to him.
33:17Years ago,
33:18his father had tried
33:19to arrange a marriage for him
33:21with the daughter
33:21of an Italian mob boss
33:23to secure an arms deal.
33:25Leo wanted nothing to do
33:26with the notoriously spoiled 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.
33:35But in his heart,
33:35it was never just 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,
33:59he 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.
34:54I 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
35:18on 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
35:38left to 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 the study,
35:49feeling completely
35:50hollowed out.
35:51He went to the safe,
35:52entered the combination,
35:53and from the very back,
35:55he pulled out
35:55a 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.
36:06She was looking down,
36:08smiling at a small kitten.
36:09Leo stared at the photo,
36:10his heart twisting
36:12in his chest.
36:13He finally understood
36:14a brutal,
36:15simple fact.
36:16For him and Eliana,
36:18it was over.
36:19There was nothing left.
36:20Take me around
36:21the 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
36:29hopeful 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
36:38journey began.
36:39From the islands
36:40of Southeast Asia
36:41to the ancient cities
36:42of Europe,
36:43from the savannahs
36:44of Africa
36:45to the rainforests
36:46of South America,
36:47Lucia was as excited
36:49as a child,
36:49insisting they do
36:50all the things
36:51couples do.
36:52But Blair's mind
36:53was a million miles away.
36:54Every sunset,
36:55every 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
37:12what 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
37:19never shake.
37:19They had been close,
37:20real close.
37:21This was all
37:22before 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
37:32being small time,
37:33she was completely
37:34out of his league.
37:35He was jealous
37:35as hell of Marco and Leo.
37:37They got to be close to her,
37:39treated her like
37:39one 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
37:47started to grow too.
37:48For the first time,
37:49he felt like he was
37:50on her level.
37:51But comfort turns into boredom.
37:54Even the best story
37:55gets old
37:56if you read it
37:58enough times.
37:59So this whole
38:00April Fool's thing,
38:01it was his out.
38:02A way to finally
38:03keep his promise to Lucia
38:05and maybe
38:05just a way for him to breathe.
38:07But now that it was done,
38:09it didn't feel like
38:10the easy escape
38:11he'd imagined.
38:12The thrill of betrayal
38:13was real,
38:14but it left a strange taste
38:15in his mouth,
38:16an emptiness
38:17he couldn't explain.
38:18He tried to break it off
38:19with Lucia
38:20several times
38:21to tell her
38:22how he really felt.
38:23But every time
38:24he was about to speak,
38:25she would conveniently
38:26get 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
38:37without you?
38:38Defeated,
38:39Blair would put out
38:40the breakup
38:40and take care of her.
38:41The trip dragged on
38:42like this for 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.
38:54Every time he tries
38:56to break up with me,
38:57I get sick
38:58and 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,
39:10you'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.
39:29Listening to this
39:29vicious scheming,
39:30Blair's mind went blank.
39:32The sicknesses were fake.
39:33Her innocence was fake.
39:34And 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?
39:51You used 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?
40:03He sped to the airport.
40:06Only one thought in 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 the
40:35Moderati 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 pinned up carelessly.
41:02She looked relaxed,
41:03happy.
41:03But what made Blair freeze?
41:05What turned his blood
41:06to 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.
41:21The 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 traveling
41:31the world with Lucia.
41:33Ellie,
41:34I'm here to take you home.
41:35We'll get married again.
41:37I 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 was so natural,
41:52so practiced,
41:53as if they had done it
41:54a thousand times.
41:56Blair's words died
41:57in 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 confidence
42:08of a man born to power.
42:10But what Joe Blair
42:11insane with jealousy
42:12was the look in Ileana's eyes
42:13when she looked at the man.
42:15It was a tenderness
42:16he had never seen before.
42:17Ileana leaned into
42:18the man's embrace,
42:19a look of pure bliss
42:21he'd never seen on 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 couldn't
42:38process the 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 grey suit
42:45he had bumped into
42:47outside the lawyer's office
42:48on the day of 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 he gave
43:08Ileana'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,
43:23Ileana hadn't
43:24just 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
43:39and hours
43:40has 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.
43:48The heavy door
43:49swung shut
43:49in his face.
43:51Blair stood
43:51before the closed door,
43:53his entire world collapsing.
43:54He finally understood
43:56the look
43:56in Ileana'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
44:03of someone
44:04who had completely
44:05given up.
44:05She never had
44:06any intention
44:07of getting back
44:08together with him.
44:10From 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
44:17forced him
44:18to leave at dawn.
44:19The months
44:19that followed
44:20were a downward spiral
44:21for all three men.
44:22Shamed 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
44:31vanished.
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
44:43was 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
44:53in the fantasy,
44:54convinced that
44:55Ileana's baby
44:56was 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 and 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 Ileana
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
45:30at the photos
45:31and mutter 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. Ileana 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
45:54was gently helping
45:56a radiant Ileana,
45:57dressed in an elegant
45:58evening gown,
46:00walked 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 Ileana'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 Ileana.
46:43And he was all
46:44his own damn thought.
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