- 8 hours ago
Three Ex Husbands, One Scam
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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 Blair 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.
00:43Blair, 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.
01:03That 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 century-old chocolate shop
01:13Blair loves.
01:14The conversation inside continued.
01:16Will Eliana go for it?
01:18Of course she will.
01:20She's a Maradi.
01:21She knows the rules.
01:23Besides, 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.
01:30Ever since we got married, Blair had always acted like he hated Marco and Leo.
01:35I thought he was jealous.
01:37I 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.
01:50My dignity.
01:51My marriage.
01:52Just 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!
02:19You'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.
02:29It always made me feel warm.
02:30Now, it just made me sick.
02:32I subtly wiped my cheek.
02:35Blair 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.
02:50The commission is auditing the family's assets.
02:53The 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?
03:03He 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.
03:12And, 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, and 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.
03:35He 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.
03:53I 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.
04:03And signed my name at the bottom of the agreement.
04:06With a clean, sharp stroke.
04:07Done. You should call them now.
04:10I want to hear it when their jaws hit the ground.
04:12Blair froze for a second.
04:14Clearly not expecting me to sign so quickly.
04:16So 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.
04:29Then 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.
04:41We'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.
04:55She's my wife after all.
04:57A moment later, my own phone laid up with two messages.
05:01The first, from Marco.
05:02Long time no see when 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.
05:25Leo 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, 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 zipping up the suitcase, the doorbell rang.
05:48It 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?
06:19Who'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!
06:29Alright, alright.
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.
06:44I 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.
07:03Marco, 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.
07:13And 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.
07:28Back 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.
07:48Only remembered when they needed the Moretti family to solve the problem.
07:52The cracks were always there.
07:54I just chose to ignore them.
07:55Only today was I willing to face the ugly truth.
07:59Lucia finally seemed to notice me, the lady of the house.
08:02Ileana?
08:04Long time no see.
08:06I'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-
08:23That'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.
08:36I want to make this clear in front of everyone.
08:38These are my divorce papers with Blair.
08:41I've already signed.
08:42Blair looked panicked for a second.
08:44Clearly not expecting me to announce it like this, but he recovered quickly.
08:47He took a step forward, his voice dripping with fake concern.
08:54Ileana, you don't have to do this.
08:56Well, if you're divorced, then 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.
09:06Take 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.
09:16Among the delicate filigree, I saw our names, Blair and Eliana.
09:20But in a tiny, almost hidden spot was a line in Italian.
09:24Per Sempre, Mia Lucia.
09:27In that moment, the world started to spin.
09:29I looked at Blair, desperate 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.
09:37He just stood there, silent.
09:39I 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.
09:57It had her name on it.
09:58It was a promise of his love for her.
10:00And me, I was just the placeholder.
10:03I looked down at the divorce papers, and suddenly, I smiled.
10:07Right then, I was so glad I had signed them.
10:09I said, placing the ring on the coffee table.
10:13If it has your name on it, then it's yours.
10:19Lucia's eyes lit up.
10:20She snatched the ring, slid it onto her own finger, and admired it.
10:25Thank you, Eliana.
10:26It really does suit me.
10:27Eliana, let me explain.
10:30Leia finally said, stepping forward to grab my hand.
10:33But, I had already turned and was walking toward the stairs.
10:38Don't bother.
10:39Since we're divorced, I shouldn't be living here anymore.
10:42My office, 9am tomorrow, will finish the paperwork.
10:45I dragged my suitcase out the door, with Blair calling my name behind me.
10:50Full of panic, I didn't stop.
10:52From 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.
11:02Let's head out tomorrow.
11:04Once the car was moving, my phone buzzed.
11:06A text from Blair.
11:08Eliana, I will explain about the ring.
11:10Find a place to stay for now, and I'll come get you in a few days.
11:13Be good.
11:14Don't overthink things.
11:15I looked at the message, a sneer playing on my lips.
11:18He still thinks I'm coming back.
11:20I gave my dad a call.
11:22Father, I'm divorced.
11:23That arranged marriage you mentioned?
11:25Is the offer still on the table?
11:27Of course, my dear daughter.
11:29I'm glad you finally made a wise decision.
11:31A year ago, after my second divorce, my father had suggested an arranged marriage
11:37to a man from a powerful, allied family.
11:40But I was lost in my fantasy of falling in love with Blair and refused.
11:45How stupid I had been.
11:46Half an hour later, I got a new friend request on my phone.
11:49The message read,
11:50Time to meet your fiancee.
11:53The next morning at 9, I arrived at my downtown office with the Moretti family's private lawyer.
11:59Blair was already there, looking exhausted and anxious.
12:02He clearly hadn't slept.
12:04Ileana, about the ring, I have to explain.
12:06The jeweler messed up the engraving.
12:08I was going to get it replaced, but there wasn't time.
12:10And I didn't want to upset you over something so small.
12:12I figured I'd quietly get you a new one after the wedding.
12:15Ileana, I know this hurt you.
12:17But 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.
12:24I promise I'll make it up to you with the most beautiful wedding ring in the world.
12:28One month, he meant that after he finished his romantic getaway with Lucia, he expected
12:33him to remarry me like nothing happened.
12:35I understand.
12:36I was done listening to his shameless excuses.
12:39I turned to my lawyer.
12:40Let's just get this done.
12:42Blair looked stunned, probably not expecting me to be so cooperative.
12:45The whole process was quicker than I thought.
12:49Signatures, witnesses, a legally binding contract.
12:52In 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.
13:04He 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.
13:16He hung up and turned to me, the tenderness from the call still lingering in his eyes.
13:21He tried to look conflicted.
13:24Ileana, Lucia isn't feeling well.
13:26I 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, a wave of sadness and relief washing over me.
13:39That was the man I once loved so deeply.
13:42Not one minute after our divorce was final, he was already running to another woman.
13:48I turned and walked toward a conference room at the other end of the hall.
13:53My new fiancé was waiting.
13:55Meanwhile, after waiting by the building's entrance for nearly ten minutes and seeing no sign of Eliana,
14:01Blair decided to go back up to remind her about the plan.
14:04Just as he reached the entrance, he slammed right into a man walking out.
14:09Papers scattered across the mobile floor.
14:11Blair's divorce decree mixed with the other man's documents.
14:15A gust of wind from the revolving door flipped open the cover of one file.
14:20It was a marriage contract.
14:22As Blair bent down to grab his papers, he caught a glimpse of the photo on that contract.
14:27He 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, but his eyes were glued to the marriage contract in the man's hands.
14:56The man finished collecting his things and headed for the exit.
14:59Blair stood there, a ridiculous thought growing stronger in his mind.
15:04Who signs a marriage contract on April Fool's Day and a photo on that contract?
15:09Even 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!
15:22Just as Blair called out to the man, his phone rang.
15:25It was Leo.
15:26He hesitated, then picked up.
15:28Blair, where the hell are you?
15:29We're all waiting.
15:30When Blair looked up again, the man was gone.
15:32A black rose rose pealed around the corner.
15:35Shit.
15:35A second later, a text from Mako came through with coordinates.
15:40Get a move on.
15:41We 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.
15:48A promise he'd buried for years.
15:50It was Lucia's dream back when they graduated high school.
15:54She wanted to take everyone to that secret private island and party for three days straight,
15:59watch the most beautiful sunset, and drink the strongest shit they could find.
16:03Security on the island was tight.
16:05He was the only one with an invite.
16:07This was something only he could do for her.
16:10He glanced back at the building, wondering if he should go up and give Ileana a heads up.
16:15But time was short.
16:16It was just for a month.
16:18When he got back, everything would go back to normal.
16:21Blair shook his head, pushing the thought of the mysterious man out of his mind,
16:26and drove to the private airfield.
16:28When he got there, everyone was already waiting.
16:31Lucia was in a red dress, the sea breeze blowing through her long hair.
16:36The diamond necklace around her neck glittered in the setting sun.
16:40He had bought her that necklace for her 17th birthday.
16:43With six months of his allowance, she was still wearing it.
16:47Blair stood at the bottom of the jet stairs, looking at her, and it was like they were kids again
16:52ten years ago.
16:53Back then, Lucia had just moved to Chicago from Italy, wearing the same kind of red dress,
16:58looking at them with a shy but hopeful expression.
17:01As he was lost in the memory, a pain of guilt hit him.
17:05He hadn't given Ileana many gifts.
17:07The Moratti family had everything.
17:09She didn't need luxury.
17:10He'd only given her a simple diamond bracelet for her birthday, but she'd worn it every single day like a
17:16treasure.
17:16He suddenly remembered signing the divorce papers today.
17:19Ileana's wrist had been bare.
17:22The bracelet was gone.
17:23The realization made his stomach drop.
17:26Why wasn't she wearing it?
17:27Was she angry?
17:28Or, Lucia ran over and hooked her arm through his.
17:33Blair!
17:34What are you thinking about?
17:35We've been waiting forever.
17:37You're late, so you have to take three shots as punishment.
17:40The warmth of her arm and the sparkle in her eyes as she looked up at him, threw him back
17:45to their teenage years.
17:46Alright, I'll take my punishment.
17:50The guys saw the vibe and started whooping and hollering, and no one glint on their eyes.
17:55Blair still got it bad for Lucia!
17:58What, you jealous?
17:59By the time they reached the island villa, the sky was dark.
18:03On the terrace, a party was in full swing.
18:05A gentle sea breeze blew, as stars glittered overhead, and glasses clinked.
18:10Just as Blair was about to hand Lucia a glass of champagne, Marco intercepted, swapping the flute in her hand
18:18for a glass of juice.
18:19Marco said, his eyes full of concern.
18:23You're sick.
18:24No booze.
18:25Lucia took the juice, blinked her wide, innocent eyes, and asked.
18:30The air froze.
18:31Everyone stared.
18:32Sick!
18:33What are you talking about?
18:35Blair's champagne glass hung in mid-air, his eyes locked on Lucia.
18:39In the stunnedness silence, Lucia suddenly burst out laughing, covering her mouth, her eyes dancing with mischief.
18:47April Fools!
18:50Raising her juice glass, almost doubled over with laughter.
18:53I'm not dying!
18:55I just needed an excuse to get everyone together for a wild party!
19:01Blair froze solid.
19:03The sound of waves crashing against the rocks seemed suddenly louder.
19:07The distant cries of seabirds, mocking his stupidity.
19:11Lucia wasn't sick.
19:13This was all a joke.
19:14He thought about how he divorced Eliana for this joke.
19:18He thought about Eliana's unnervingly calm expression as she signed the papers, about the missing diamond bracelet on her wrist.
19:26A hot flash of anger shot through him.
19:29His voice was rough.
19:31What did you say?
19:33Seeing his face, Lucia's smile faltered, but she was still defiant.
19:38Oh, don't be so serious!
19:39It's not like you lost anything!
19:41You get to hang out with me on this beautiful island!
19:44Lucia, even for an April Fools joke, that was a little much.
19:49Yeah, we were all really worried.
19:53Blair just stood there, the champagne foot trembling in his hand.
19:59Seeing his dark expression, Lucia immediately put on her best innocent, hurt look.
20:06She walked out to him, tugging lightly on his sleeve, her eyes welling up.
20:11Blair, are you mad at me?
20:12I just...
20:14I just missed the days when we were all together.
20:17Her eyes were red, as if she was about to cry.
20:20I know you have your own life now, you have a wife, but our friendship, all the good times we
20:28had, that was all real, wasn't it?
20:31That fragile, helpless look hit Blair right in his weak spot.
20:36He remembered the 17-year-old Lucia, the first time she'd cried and asked him for help, and the fierce,
20:44protective urge he'd felt.
20:46That feeling had never completely disappeared.
20:50The others started chiming in.
20:52Some cousins from a Pissan family snickered.
20:56Someone we know could never stay mad at her!
20:59Yeah.
21:01Damn right!
21:02Back in school, anyone who messed with Lucia had to answer to Blair.
21:06He would have put a guy in the ground for her!
21:11Everyone laughed, and the tension started to fade.
21:14Blair looked at Lucia at the verge of tears, and finally caved.
21:19I'm not angry, just surprised.
21:23Lucia's face broke into a smile.
21:25She pushed a drink into his hand.
21:27Her cheeks flushed, as she looked up at him.
21:30Thank you for coming out with me.
21:32For remembering my dream.
21:34Her voice was soft, calming his frayed nerves.
21:38Blair raised a glass, looking at the radiant woman in front of him, and the anger and suspicion began to
21:44melt away.
21:45Screw it, he thought.
21:48Let's just call it a perfect send-off to their younger days.
21:52The party ignited again, laughter and clinging glasses filling the air.
21:58As the night hit its peak...
22:00Hey, Blair's divorced, and Lucia's single!
22:04It's perfect!
22:09Everyone knew you two were crazy about each other back in the day!
22:14Now's your chance!
22:16Get together! Get together! Get together!
22:20Yeah!
22:21Blair even divorced the Moretti princess for Lucia!
22:24It's on you now, Lucia!
22:26The crowd went wild, cheering and whistling, the sound echoing across the island.
22:32Lucia's face turned beet red, and she shyly looked down, but the slight curve of her lips showed she didn't
22:38mind one bit.
22:39Blair stood frozen, the deafening chance ringing in his ears.
22:44But his mind flashed back to Eliana's eyes, in the office that day, so calm, so final.
22:52He'd thought she was calm, because she knew the divorce was fake.
22:55Now, he wasn't so sure.
22:58The look in her eyes?
23:00It was like she was looking at a stranger.
23:02Not the husband she loved.
23:05Lucia whined, a hint of complaint in her tone.
23:07Blair?
23:09You're not gonna join in there teasing, are you?
23:13Blair snapped back to reality.
23:15He looked at the girl, who had been his first love, opened his mouth to say something, but the words
23:22got stuck.
23:23He couldn't figure it out.
23:26Wasn't this exactly what he wanted?
23:28This escape?
23:30This freedom?
23:31So, why did he feel so damn empty?
23:33The party ended in a blur.
23:35Blair was blackout drunk.
23:37He vaguely remembered someone helping him upstairs, unbuttoning his shirt.
23:41Soft fingers traced his neck.
23:43He tried to push them away, but he had no strength.
23:45He mumbled in the haze between sleep and waking.
23:48Eliana.
23:51Blair, I'm here.
23:53I've always been here.
23:55He woke up the next morning, to sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
24:00His head was pounding.
24:02The hangover made his thoughts feel like sludge.
24:05He slowly opened his eyes and saw a spill of black hair on the pillow next to him.
24:10Not Eliana's wavy chestnut hair.
24:12This was straight and jet black.
24:14He shot up, suddenly half sober.
24:16It was Lucia.
24:18The sheet had stepped down to her waist.
24:20Her shoulders were bare.
24:21Fragments of the night before flashed in his mind.
24:24Lucia crying, saying she was scared of being alone.
24:27That she'd always loved him.
24:28She kissed him.
24:29And then...
24:30God...
24:31Blair cursed, rubbing his temples hard.
24:34He instinctively grabbed his phone.
24:36No messages from Eliana.
24:38That wasn't right.
24:39Usually, if he was gone for half a day on business, she'd text him, asking what he was doing,
24:45what he'd eaten, if he missed her.
24:47Sometimes a dozen messages a day.
24:49Just all that little stuff.
24:50He used to find it a little annoying.
24:53Now, the silence was unnerving.
24:55Why hadn't she sent a single text this time?
24:58Did she really not care about the divorce?
25:00Just then, Lucia stood beside him.
25:03She slowly opened her eyes, and a satisfied smile spread across her face when she saw him sitting there.
25:09Good morning, Blair.
25:12Lucia, I'm sorry.
25:13I was drunk last night.
25:14We shouldn't have...
25:15What the hell is that supposed to mean?
25:17I mean...
25:19Last night was a mistake.
25:21We were both drunk.
25:22A mistake?
25:23You're trying to brush me off with that?
25:24She tried to get out of bed, but her legs gave out, and she nearly fell.
25:28Blair instinctively caught her, then immediately let go as if he had been burned.
25:32That small action was the final straw.
25:34Blair Russo, how long are you going to keep up this act?
25:38The devoted husband act?
25:39Did you forget?
25:41It was Alana's old man who put a gun to your family's head to make you marry her.
25:44No, that's not how it was.
25:46I was the one who went after Alana.
25:48You don't even love her.
25:49She didn't believe in love, was only willing to do a contract marriage for a friend's sake.
25:54I was the one who pursued her.
25:56Who convinced her to give me her heart.
25:58You're lying!
26:00You told me I was the one you loved!
26:02You wrote me a love letter, didn't you?
26:04His words stabbed Lucia like a knife.
26:07Her face went pale, her eyes filling with tears.
26:10Blair stood rooted to the spot, his palms slick with cold sweat.
26:14A love letter.
26:14He had never written her a love letter.
26:17The only one he had ever written was for Alana, but he never gave it to her.
26:21He had no idea how it ended up in Lucia's hands, but he couldn't say that.
26:25Not now.
26:26Lucia, listen to me.
26:28I don't want to hear your excuses!
26:29You're divorced now, why can't you be with me?
26:34Do all those years mean nothing?
26:36She started sobbing, hysterically, her whole body shaking.
26:40Suddenly, she runs for the vanity and grabbed the fruit knife.
26:44Lucia, what are you doing?
26:46She didn't answer.
26:48She pressed the blade to her own throat.
26:50The sharp edge left a thin red line on her pale skin.
26:54If you don't do what I say, I'll kill myself!
26:56Alright, alright, just calm down, okay?
26:58If you leave me, I'll die right here!
27:00Okay, okay, I won't leave.
27:01I'll stay, I'll stay with you.
27:03Just put the knife down.
27:04Hearing that, the crazed look in her eyes slowly faded.
27:08She lowered the knife, then collapsed into his arms, crying like a child.
27:13I know I'm terrible, I'm selfish, but I really do love you.
27:16Just stay with me for a while.
27:17Just until you figure out what you really want.
27:19Please?
27:21Okay, I'll stay.
27:22Lucia's tears tend to a smile.
27:25She immediately grabbed his phone.
27:26Before Blair could react, she had his contacts open and was deleting a name.
27:31What are you doing?
27:32Deleting everything, Aliana.
27:34This way you can be with me in peace.
27:36No distractions.
27:37Blair watched as Aliana's phone number, her private messages, her email address, all
27:42of it disappeared one by one.
27:44A strange panic seized him that he'd already given his word.
27:48He could only watch as her name was erased from his life.
27:51After a week of partying on the island, Marco and Leo headed back to New York.
27:56Lucia was stuck to Blair like glue, and they were sick of watching the happy couple.
28:00Besides, tonight was the Moretti family's annual dinner.
28:03In past years, Eliana would have been excited to invite them.
28:08Even though their own families weren't major players in the New York underworld, they assumed this year would be the
28:14same until they were stopped at the gate by security.
28:18Sir, your invitation.
28:20Invitation?
28:21We come every year.
28:22We've never needed an invitation.
28:24Sorry, sir.
28:24All guests require an invitation tonight.
28:26If you don't have one, you need to leave.
28:28Do you know who we are?
28:29I'm Leo Gallo.
28:31This is Marco Falcano.
28:32We're friends of Eliana.
28:33The guard checked the list on his clipboard and shook his head.
28:38Sorry, your names aren't on the guest list.
28:40The words hung in the air.
28:42Other guests arriving at the estate slowed down.
28:45Their curiosity peaked.
28:46Soon, they were recognized.
28:48Isn't that the Gallo kid?
28:50Why is he getting held up at the gate?
28:52And the Falcone playboy.
28:55What a scene.
28:56Both ex-husbands, right?
28:59Showing up at the ex-wife's family party.
29:01Trying to get back together?
29:03Get back together?
29:05You haven't heard.
29:06Don Moretti is supposed to be announcing some good news tonight.
29:12The whispers reached Marco's ears and his face turned to stone.
29:16He hated being called a playboy.
29:18Since becoming friends with Eliana, he had never been humiliated like this.
29:22Justin, the Moretti family's old majordomo, the head of the household staff, appeared.
29:28He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.
29:31A polite, professional smile on his face.
29:34Mr. Gallo.
29:35Mr. Falcone.
29:36I'm very sorry, but you are not on the guest list tonight.
29:39Please, leave.
29:40That's impossible.
29:41We've come to this dinner every year.
29:43We've never been turned away.
29:44That was then.
29:45And you will not be welcome here in the future.
29:48The words hit them like a physical blow.
29:51Marco and Leo were speechless.
29:53The murmuring from the crowd grew louder.
29:56They were the butt of the joke.
29:58Finally, they had no choice but to live in disgrace.
30:01Back in the car, they sat in silence for a long time.
30:04What the hell just happened?
30:06You think, you think Eliana knows?
30:08Knew what?
30:09That they had pitched Blair to divorce her?
30:11That they had dished her for some stupid party?
30:13Marco's knuckles were white on the steering wheel.
30:15Three days after being rejected from the dinner, Marco was at his family's company offices when his father called, screaming.
30:22You useless piece of shit!
30:24What the hell did you do?
30:26Dad, what's wrong?
30:27The port authority just informed us our shipping lane at the south port was shut down.
30:32Some bullshit about security concerns.
30:35That route has been running for 10 years without a single problem.
30:38How does it suddenly have security concerns?
30:41Marco understood instantly.
30:43He had secured that shipping route when he got engaged to Eliana.
30:46Though Moretti had greased the wheels, the influence of the Moretti family was the only reason it had gone through.
30:53The massive profits from that single route had solidified Marcos' position in his own family, making him the one to
31:00take over.
31:00Now, with the road cut, it wasn't just a financial loss. It was an attack on the foundation of his
31:07power.
31:08I'll handle it.
31:09But, sitting in his office chair, he knew there was only one way to handle it.
31:14Ask Eliana for help.
31:16For the first time, a cold, hard truth landed on him like a ton of bricks.
31:21Without Eliana, he was a nobody.
31:23Everything he had, his status, his wealth, his respect, was built on his connection to the Moretti family.
31:30And now, his old man had to clean up his mess.
31:34After a long hesitation, Marco finally dialed Eliana's number.
31:38He had to explain, to apologize, to fix this.
31:41But all he heard was a robotic female voice.
31:44The number you have dialed is no longer in service.
31:47Marco stared at the phone.
31:48He'd been blocked.
31:49A hollow feeling opened up in his chest.
31:52He remembered when the fight for his family's inheritance was at its most vicious.
31:57He had asked Eliana for help.
31:59She had taken his hand and agreed without a second thought.
32:02Just like she said she would.
32:04She would always support him.
32:06Back then, he thought Eliana was the most important person in his life.
32:10He thought the whole world could change.
32:12But Eliana never would.
32:14He would always be there.
32:16Always protect him.
32:17Always have his back.
32:18Now, he couldn't even get her on the phone.
32:20Marco had no idea what to do.
32:23Leo sat in his office, staring at three contract termination notices on his desk.
32:28His fingers trembled.
32:29Three companies, the backbone of his family's business, had pulled out on the same day, citing risk assessment.
32:35They said the news that you were turned away from the Moretti dinner has spread through the five families.
32:40Everyone's worried we've crossed on Moretti.
32:42They're afraid to keep doing business with us.
32:45The words struck Leo like lightning.
32:47He never imagined that that night's humiliation was more than just losing face.
32:51It was a direct hit to his family's bottom line.
32:54In the New York underworld, the Moretti family's word was law.
32:58Leo kicked over the coffee table in a fit of rage and hurled his phone against the wall.
33:03The screen spiderwebbed, but remained lit.
33:05He stared at Eliana's picture on the screen, a storm of anger and self-pity brewing inside him.
33:12He couldn't understand how she could be so ruthless, giving him no warning at all.
33:17She used to be so good to him.
33:18Years ago, his father had tried to arrange a marriage for him with the daughter of an Italian mob boss
33:24to secure an arms deal.
33:26Leo wanted nothing to do with the notoriously spoiled brat and was desperate for a way out.
33:31Just for show, we'll divorce in a year. You'll be free, I'll be free.
33:36But in his heart, it was never just for show.
33:38From the first time he saw her as a kid, he was captivated.
33:42He remembered waking up in the hospital once, and she was sitting by his bed, her eyes red and swollen.
33:48Leo, thank you. You'll always be my best friend.
33:52Friend, that's all she ever saw him as.
33:55When he tried to delay the divorce, all she said was, there wasn't a trace of affection in her voice.
34:00So, he grew to despise Blair.
34:02He was eaten up with jealousy that Blair was the one who had won Ileana's love.
34:08If he couldn't have her, why should Blair?
34:10Leo had been the first one to plant the fake divorce idea.
34:15He knew it was cruel to Ileana, but he thought it would show her who really loved her.
34:20Once she was single, he'd have his shot. He'd make her see him.
34:24He never imagined that, once she was divorced, she wouldn't even look back in his direction.
34:29She just cut them all off.
34:31It was late when Leo got home.
34:33The butler told him Don Gallo was waiting in the study.
34:36He pushed open the door and saw his father sitting on the sofa, his face a sundercloud.
34:41Dad, I know what you want to talk about.
34:43You know?
34:44Do you know how much money the company lost today?
34:48Do you have any idea how much damage you've done to this family's reputation?
34:52Years ago, you said you wanted to marry the Morelli girl.
34:56I supported you because it was good for the family.
34:59Now you've divorced her, pissed her off and run this family into the ground.
35:03What's your plan?
35:06I'll figure something out.
35:08What can you figure out?
35:11Don Maramoretti has made his position clear.
35:14We're being shut out by the five families.
35:16He put a file from a drawer and threw it on the desk in front of Leo.
35:21This is the file on the eldest daughter of the Benedetti family.
35:2523 years old, Stanford business degree.
35:28Easy on the eyes too.
35:30Dad, what are you saying?
35:31The engagement is next month.
35:33You're married in six.
35:34This alliance will get our family through this crisis.
35:38And this time, there's no one left to save you.
35:40Leo wanted to argue, but the words died in his throat.
35:43It was true.
35:44There was no one left to save him.
35:46Eliana was gone.
35:47After his father left, Leo sat alone in his study, feeling completely hollowed out.
35:52He went to the safe, entered the combination, and from the very back, he pulled out a photograph.
35:57It was a candid photo he had secretly taken over a decade ago.
36:01Eliana, at 15, laughing in a garden.
36:04She was wearing a white dress, sunlight filtering through the leaves onto her face.
36:08She was looking down, smiling at a small kitten.
36:10Leo stared at the photo, his heart twisting in his chest.
36:14He finally understood a brutal, simple fact.
36:18For him and Eliana, it was over.
36:20There was nothing left.
36:21Take me around the world, will you?
36:24It's been my dream since I was a little girl, to see the whole world with the person I love.
36:29Leo looked at her hopeful smile, and a wave of disgust washed over him.
36:33But the memory of her suicide attempt was still fresh.
36:36He forced a nod.
36:38Okay.
36:39And so their long journey began.
36:41From the islands of Southeast Asia, to the ancient cities of Europe,
36:44from the savannahs of Africa, to the rainforests of South America.
36:48Lucia was as excited as a child, insisting they do all the things couples do.
36:53But Blair's mind was a million miles away.
36:56Every sunset, every sunrise, every beautiful landscape only made him think of Eliana.
37:01Would she have liked to hear?
37:02Would she be taking pictures excitedly like Lucia?
37:05The thoughts were a constant torment.
37:06He had told himself he needed space from Eliana.
37:10Time to think.
37:11It's human nature, he guessed.
37:13You get used to what you have, and you start thinking about what you lost.
37:17For him, that was Lucia.
37:18The one that got away.
37:19The ghost he could never shake.
37:21They had been close.
37:22Real close.
37:22This was all before Eliana.
37:24Then Marco and Leo introduced him to her, and he found out she was the Eliana Moretti.
37:29The princess every guy in their world wanted.
37:32Back then, with his family being small time, she was completely out of his league.
37:36He was jealous as hell of Marco and Leo.
37:38They got to be close to her, treated her like one of the guys.
37:42So he fought his way into their circle.
37:44The chase was everything.
37:46And when he finally got her, his family's power started to grow too.
37:50For the first time, he felt like he was on her level.
37:52But comfort turns into boredom.
37:55Even the best story gets old, if you read it enough times.
38:00So this whole April Fool's thing, it was his El.
38:03A way to finally keep his promise to Lucia, and maybe just a way for him to breathe.
38:09But now that it was done, it didn't feel like the easy escape he'd imagined.
38:13The thrill of betrayal was real, but it left a strange taste in his mouth, an emptiness he couldn't explain.
38:19He tried to break it off with Lucia several times to tell her how he really felt.
38:24But every time he was about to speak, she would conveniently get sick, allergies, high fevers.
38:30Each time, she would look at him with those big, pitiful eyes.
38:34Blair, I'm so glad you're here.
38:37What would I do without you?
38:39Defeated, Blair would put out the breakup and take care of her.
38:42The trip dragged on like this for three months, until Blair overheard Lucia on a video call with a friend.
38:48You have no idea Blair is completely wrapped around my finger.
38:53I have the doctor write fake medical notes.
38:56Every time he tries to break up with me, I get sick, and he turns into a puddle.
39:01I've already sent all our pictures together to Alana.
39:03I told her Blair chose me, and that she should stop bothering him.
39:07She should have given up for good by now.
39:10Lucia, you're amazing!
39:12You even stole a man from a Moradi?
39:14What good is being born into a powerful family?
39:17She still couldn't keep her man.
39:19I just wanted her to know that Blair dumped her for me.
39:23Next step is to get pregnant.
39:26I'll drug him again, just like that first night.
39:28Then he'll have to marry me.
39:30Listening to this vicious scheming, Blair's mind went blank.
39:33The sicknesses were fake.
39:34Her innocence was fake.
39:36And she had contacted Alana, torturing her with those photos.
39:39A blind rage took over.
39:41He threw the door open and stormed in.
39:43What did you just say?
39:45Blair, you're back?
39:47I was just joking around.
39:49Joking?
39:50You drugged me?
39:52Used fake doctor's notes to lie to me?
39:54You sent pictures to Alana to torture her?
39:56Was that all a joke too?
39:58Blair, let me explain.
39:59I only did it because I love you so much.
40:02I was afraid of losing you.
40:03Enough!
40:04Blair, where are you going?
40:05He sped to the airport.
40:07Only one thought in his mind.
40:09Get back to New York.
40:10Find Liana and explain everything.
40:12During the long flight, Blair replayed the last three months in his head.
40:16Every time Luchelle was sick, every pitiful look now seemed disgusting.
40:19And because of those lies, he had wasted three months.
40:22The next evening, after landing, Blair's first stop was a jeweler.
40:26He bought a diamond ring.
40:28He hadn't forgotten his promise to Eliana that he would give her a ring that was hers alone.
40:34Then, he drove to the Moderati family estate.
40:38He knew she would be there.
40:40The whole way, he rehearsed what he would say.
40:42How he would beg for her forgiveness.
40:45Finally, he pulled up to the familiar gates.
40:47He practically beat on the massive door.
40:50Open up!
40:52Eliana!
40:53I know you're in there!
40:55He pandered for what felt like an eternity before the door finally opened.
40:59Eliana stood there in a loose silk robe, her hair pinned up carelessly.
41:03She looked relaxed, happy.
41:05But what made Blair freeze?
41:06What turned his blood to ice was the sight of her slightly rounded belly,
41:10barely hidden by the flowing fabric.
41:11She looked to be about four months along.
41:13Seeing Eliana pregnant, Blair was first shocked,
41:17then filled with a wave of joy and crushing guilt.
41:20He did a math.
41:21Four months.
41:21The timing was perfect.
41:23The baby had to beat his.
41:25His heart hammered against his ribs, and his eyes burned.
41:29My God!
41:29She's pregnant with my child, and I've been traveling the world with Lucia.
41:34Ellie.
41:35I'm here to take you home.
41:37We'll get married again.
41:38I know I was wrong.
41:39I-
41:39Before he could finish, a man's hand reached out from inside the doorway,
41:43planting itself firmly on his chest, stopping him.
41:47Eliana took a step back, and the man beside her wrapped a protective arm around her waist.
41:52The movement was so natural, so practiced, as if they had done it a thousand times.
41:57Blair's words died in his throat.
41:59He stared in shock at the man who had appeared from the shadows.
42:03He was handsome, maybe in his early thirties.
42:05Dressed in a tailored navy blue robe, he stood with the easy confidence of a man born to power.
42:11But what drove Blair insane with jealousy was the look in Eliana's eyes when she looked at the man.
42:16It was a tenderness he had never seen before.
42:18Elena leaned into the man's embrace, a look of pure bliss he'd never seen on her before.
42:23She looked at Blair, her tone light.
42:27Get married again?
42:28Why don't you ask my husband if that's okay with him?
42:32Blair was completely stunned.
42:34His eyes dotted between Eliana, the man beside her, and her pregnant belly.
42:38His brain couldn't process the information.
42:40Husband, he looked closely at the man, and the memory sparked.
42:44This was the man in the dark gray suit he had bumped into outside the lawyer's office on the day
42:50of the divorce.
42:51He also remembered who he was, Lorenzo De Luca.
42:55The De Luccas were one of the few families on the same level as the Morettis in New York.
43:02The baby, is it mine?
43:05What do you think?
43:07Lorenzo didn't speak, but the look he gave Eliana's stomach was filled with the soft joy and protectiveness of a
43:13father-to-be.
43:14His hand gently rubbed her back.
43:16Blair's face went ashen.
43:18He understood.
43:19The baby wasn't his.
43:20It couldn't be.
43:21In the three months he was traveling the world with Lucia, Eliana hadn't just remarried.
43:26She was pregnant with another man's child, and she looked happy.
43:29No.
43:31That's impossible.
43:33Ellie, we had a deal.
43:34It was a fake divorce.
43:35It was an April Fools joke.
43:37Sorry, Blair.
43:38In our world there are no jokes.
43:40Only contracts.
43:41And ours has been terminated.
43:42But, since you seem to enjoy holidays, allow me to wish you one.
43:47Happy April Fools, Blair.
43:48The heavy door swung shut in his face.
43:52Blair stood before the closed door, his entire world collapsing.
43:56He finally understood the look in Eliana's eyes when she signed the papers.
44:00It wasn't calm.
44:01It was finality.
44:02It was acceptance.
44:04It was the look of someone who had completely given up.
44:07She never had any intention of getting back together with him.
44:11From the moment she signed that paper, she had deleted him from her life.
44:15Blair stood outside the gate all night until security forced him to leave at dawn.
44:20The months that followed were a downward spiral for all three men.
44:24Shanned by the Moretti family, Marco and Leo quickly lost their standing in their own families.
44:29Without the Moretti connection, the networks they had built vanished.
44:33But the blow to Blair's Russo family was fatal.
44:36The scandal of forcing his wife into a fake divorce for his mistress was leaked,
44:41and it spread like wildfire through the upper crest.
44:43This story was so absurd, so pathetic, that the Russo family became a laughing stock.
44:49Their influence evaporated overnight.
44:52Blair didn't care.
44:53He was living in a fantasy.
44:55Convinced that Eliana's baby was his, that she was just angry and would come back to him eventually.
45:03Then, Lucia delivered the final blow.
45:05She secretly drained the lust of Marcos, Leo's and Blair's savings and disappeared.
45:10Blair was forced to move out of his family's estate and into a small apartment on the other side of
45:17the city.
45:17He printed out every picture he had of him and Eliana and covered an entire wall with them.
45:23He spent his days looking at the few things he had left of their life together, including the ring he
45:29never got to give her.
45:30At night, he would stare at the photos and mutter to himself.
45:34She still loves me.
45:36I know she still loves me.
45:38A few months later, he heard a news report on the TV at the convenience store.
45:43Mr. Lorenzo De Luca and his wife, Mrs. Eliana Moretti, attended a charity gala this evening.
45:50Blair lunged toward the TV.
45:52His eyes glued to the screen.
45:54There she was.
45:55Lorenzo was gently helping a radiant Eliana, dressed in an elegant evening gown, walk the red carpet.
46:02She was dazzling, her smile so bright it was hard to look away.
46:06Lorenzo would lean down to whisper in her ear, and she would laugh.
46:10They looked so perfect together, so in love.
46:12The camera zoomed in, and Blair saw the brilliant diamond ring on Eliana's hand and the priceless necklace around her
46:19throat.
46:19They were from Lorenzo.
46:21Blair stumbled back to his apartment in a daze, collapsed to the floor, and stared at the empty room.
46:26He started to laugh, a wild, unhinged sound.
46:29Then the laughter turned to tears.
46:31He carried up on the floor, his back against the wall of photos, and sobbed, loud and broken, like a
46:38little boy.
46:38He had lost everything, his family, his status, his money, and most importantly, his Eliana.
46:44Annie was all his own damn thought.
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