- 4 hours ago
From Outcast To Mafia Queen
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At the gala in Palermo, I stood in a row with twelve other heiresses, waiting to be chosen.
00:05One flower, one night, one chance.
00:07As Don Earl's Bastarda, I had no room to fail.
00:11Lorenzo Rossi, heir of the Rossi family, was my childhood friend.
00:15He was the only man who'd agreed to protect me, and he had promised me the white lily.
00:19We'd made the deal just yesterday.
00:20Three years of cover.
00:22Then he could love whoever he wanted.
00:23Yesterday, he'd said yes.
00:25Tonight, at the last second, he smiled and handed the flower to the girl beside me.
00:29Mia, the scholarship student he'd been sponsoring.
00:32Her hands were shaking as she took it.
00:34Let Mia have the spotlight today, Elena.
00:38The poor thing has never known happiness.
00:40Don't worry.
00:40As long as I'm here, no one will dare arrange your marriage.
00:44I looked at him.
00:45He was already turning away, placing Mia's hand on his arm.
00:48Mia is elegant and noble.
00:52She is worthy of this honor.
00:55Noble.
00:56The word landed like a slap.
00:57Whispers rippled through the crowd.
00:59I stood empty-handed, the Don's bastard daughter, publicly passed over for a stray.
01:04When the crowd dispersed, Lorenzo appeared at my side, wine glass in hand.
01:09These idiots.
01:10I told them to save you at least one flower.
01:15Do you know what tonight means?
01:17The white lily wasn't decoration.
01:19It was a marriage proposal between families.
01:21Without it, I had nothing.
01:23No protection.
01:24No choice.
01:25No way out of the arranged marriage Donna Earl had already planned for me in New York.
01:29Lorenzo was my only option.
01:30No other man here would choose the bastardha.
01:33And he'd just chosen someone else.
01:3518 years.
01:38He didn't answer.
01:40Behind him, Mia was smiling.
01:42The white lily in her hands, still perfect.
01:45Guilt flickered across Lorenzo's face.
01:48He sent Mia away.
01:50You're used to these events, Elena.
01:52But Mia's poor.
01:54This is her only shot to shine in her whole life.
01:59Just, just do me a favor.
02:04You can have your way any other day.
02:05Why today of all days?
02:07I stayed silent.
02:13Today's her graduation.
02:14After tonight, I can't sponsor her anymore.
02:20I promised her one unforgettable memory.
02:23Unforgettable for me, too.
02:25But it was too late.
02:26Lorenzo, do you understand what the gala...
02:29Mia returned before I could finish.
02:32Elena, did I ruin everything?
02:37Please don't blame Lorenzo.
02:38I begged him to...
02:41Enough, Elena.
02:42It's just a flower.
02:44I'll buy you another one.
02:45He reached into a nearby vase,
02:47pulled out a rose,
02:48and shoved it into my hand.
02:52Roses suit you better anyway.
02:54A lily isn't worth making a scene over.
02:57This isn't like you.
02:58The rose was dripping wet.
02:59Its thorns had been cut.
03:01Its stem snapped short,
03:02just like me.
03:03But the white lily meant honor.
03:05The wife of a don.
03:06A queen.
03:07The red rose meant mistress.
03:09A woman you kept in the shadows.
03:11An illegitimate bootlicker,
03:12thinking she could marry the Rossi heir?
03:15Didn't you hear him say noble?
03:17Even a poor student ranks higher.
03:19Lorenzo silenced the woman with one look,
03:22but the words had already sunk in.
03:27Elena, I'm sorry.
03:29You've always had everything.
03:31I just wanted one night to feel special.
03:34Everything?
03:35I'm a bastard, Mia.
03:37Do you have any idea how the Marati family treats me?
03:40The cake slipped from her hands and landed on her shoe,
03:43her eyes filled with tears.
03:45Look, it's already done.
03:46Let her enjoy tonight.
03:50Come on, let's get you cleaned up.
03:53You can head home if you want.
03:56Home?
03:56I didn't have one.
03:58As soon as Lorenzo left my side,
04:00someone closed in.
04:01Antonio Ricci,
04:02a reckless libertine from a rival crew,
04:04sidled up to me.
04:06You smell good, Elena Moretti.
04:09Without Lorenzo,
04:10I didn't even get basic respect.
04:12Lorenzo told me to give you a flower.
04:15I didn't.
04:16I told you before,
04:17stop chasing him and try me instead,
04:19but you never listened.
04:21How's it feel now?
04:23Humiliating, isn't it?
04:24Lorenzo had given him the task of delivering my flower?
04:27Knowing Antonio had been harassing me for months?
04:29Another betrayal.
04:30I only asked for three years.
04:32Three years to gain enough power
04:34to escape the Moretti family's grip.
04:36But Donna wanted me gone.
04:37She wouldn't even give me time to breathe.
04:40If it wasn't for that pretty face,
04:41you'd be nothing.
04:45Ritzy,
04:46did I not warn you?
04:48Don't touch my people.
04:50That's none of your business.
04:52Your people?
04:54You just picked the charity girl.
04:56What do you need Elena for?
04:58She's mine.
04:59That's all you need to know.
04:59Antonio spat and walked away.
05:01Lorenzo spun me around to face him.
05:04He touched you and you didn't fight back?
05:08Wasn't this your idea?
05:10Lorenzo, could I get some champagne?
05:13One's cold and stubborn.
05:14The other's bright and warm.
05:16Lorenzo's choice was easy.
05:18Tonight, you're the star.
05:19Whatever you want.
05:20We'll talk tomorrow.
05:22I'll come by your place.
05:24Tomorrow?
05:25I smiled coldly.
05:26Tomorrow, you'll have to come to New York to find me.
05:31Lorenzo left to greet the other Capos.
05:34And Mia walked back to me,
05:35holding a glass of wine.
05:37The timid scholarship girl was gone.
05:39In her place stood someone who'd tasted power.
05:42You have everything, Elena.
05:45Why do you need to take this one moment of glory from me?
05:51I should never have helped Lorenzo choose her for the scholarship.
05:56You grew up in luxury.
05:58I only wanted Lorenzo's protection for one night.
06:04Luxury?
06:06You think I'm better off than you?
06:08My mother died early.
06:09Don Earl brought me back to the estate when I was little.
06:12Donna looked at me like she wanted me dead.
06:14My father had mistresses everywhere and didn't care about one more bastard daughter.
06:18I learned to read faces young.
06:20Without this face, I wouldn't have survived.
06:22I was trapped between two sides.
06:24I turned to Uncle Luca and begged him to train me, to back me up.
06:28Uncle Luca never smiled.
06:33Your father has 23 children.
06:36Why should I invest in a bastard who won't last?
06:39Because I have nothing to lose.
06:41I'll do what they won't.
06:43But the time wasn't right.
06:44Uncle Luca wouldn't help me either.
06:46They say Dante Vitale is ruthless.
06:48Anyone who crosses him gets crushed without mercy.
06:51The Morettis wanted his protection, but wouldn't sacrifice a legitimate daughter.
06:55So they chose me.
06:58Uncle Luca must know how the gala ended.
07:04Elena.
07:05Do you think Lorenzo even knows what the gala means?
07:08I wasn't the type to dwell on emotions.
07:11I needed to find a way to stay.
07:14Do you know what tonight actually means?
07:16Sure, it's a matchmaking event, but it's just formality.
07:18Don't worry, I'll talk to the Morettis.
07:19No one's forcing you into marriage.
07:20Then can you get the lily back from Mia?
07:22I'll return it tomorrow.
07:23That's not good.
07:24It's already hers.
07:25That orchid had a rare golden edge.
07:27It couldn't be copied at all.
07:29Lorenzo, you know I won't clink on you.
07:31Why did you humiliate me tonight?
07:32Elena, no one else will take you.
07:35You're a Moretti bastard.
07:36Everyone Palermo knows you're mine.
07:38Elena, please don't fight with Lorenzo.
07:42Enough, Elena.
07:43Tomorrow, Mia goes back to her life.
07:46I left the gala and got into Uncle Luca's car.
07:49Accept your loss.
07:50Tomorrow you leave for New York.
07:54I'll come back.
07:56Back at the estate, Donna glanced at Uncle Luca, then at me.
08:00We've raised you for 18 years.
08:02Time to repay that.
08:03Tomorrow, you leave.
08:05Nothing in this house was mine.
08:07Not even the plane ticket.
08:08Uncle Luca said nothing and went to his room.
08:10I went to my small bedroom to pack.
08:12My half-sister, Bianca, leaned in the doorway, checking her nails.
08:17Mom told me to keep an eye on you.
08:20Don't take anything valuable.
08:22Not even tonight's gown.
08:25Oh, and Mom said Dante Vitale already in love with someone else.
08:29Good luck.
08:31I took off the gown in front of her and removed all the jewelry.
08:35Then I walked to the bathroom in my slip.
08:37Mia had posted a photo in Instagram.
08:39She was glowing.
08:39Lorenzo's arm around her.
08:41He was still wearing the cufflinks I'd given him.
08:44I left everything Lorenzo had ever given me behind.
08:47Before dawn, I was up.
08:48No goodbyes.
08:49I grabbed my backpack and headed to the airport.
08:52Security.
08:52Boarding.
08:53Everything went smoothly.
08:55As the plane taxied, I shut off my phone completely.
08:58Cutting all ties to Palermo.
08:59Then the announcement came.
09:01Apologies, passengers.
09:03The Rossi family has purchased all available flights out of Plasso today.
09:06We are returning back.
09:09I stared out the window as the runway slowed back down.
09:15The plane came to a stop.
09:24My phone reconnected and messages flooded in.
09:28The announcement came again.
09:29Apologies for the inconvenience.
09:31To compensate, the Rossi family will refund your ticket at ten times the price.
09:36Who do you think the Rossi family is looking for?
09:38Wow.
09:39This is so dramatic.
09:40Like a movie.
09:43I scrolled through my phone, exhausted.
09:46Lorenzo had gone to the Moretti estate early this morning looking for me.
09:50He saw the gown, the jewelry, everything I'd left behind.
09:54But my backpack was gone.
09:56He panicked.
09:57He demanded answers from the Morettis.
10:00Where did Elena go?
10:01Lorenzo lost it.
10:04He almost tore the estate apart.
10:06Then he started calling me.
10:07But by then, I was already on the plane.
10:10When Lorenzo realized I hadn't taken a single thing he'd ever given me, he snapped.
10:14I grabbed my backpack and got off the plane.
10:17It was early.
10:19I was starving.
10:21I found a small cafe and ordered pasta.
10:27Uncle Luca's message came through.
10:29Do you want to come back?
10:30Lorenzo still wants you.
10:33The Moretti family was built on schemes.
10:37Lorenzo might spoil me, but he'd never lose face for me.
10:40Going back meant more humiliation.
10:49Moving forward.
10:50Maybe there was a chance.
10:53I ate slowly, watching black-suited men flood the terminal.
10:57They grabbed every woman who looked like me, asking questions.
11:00Then Lorenzo rushed in, drenched in sweat.
11:04His phone pressed to his ear.
11:06He passed right by my table.
11:08He looked desperate, frantic.
11:11Calling my number over and over.
11:14My phone kept buzzing in my pocket.
11:17When no one answered, he almost smashed the phone in frustration.
11:21His men returned empty-handed.
11:24I'd never seen Lorenzo like this.
11:26Completely unraveled.
11:28Where is she?
11:30I don't care what it takes.
11:31No plane flies to New York today.
11:33I checked my phone.
11:36There was a flight to Milan in 20 minutes.
11:41I scrolled through the news while I waited.
11:43Palermo's tabloids were having a field day.
11:45The headlines screamed,
11:46Rossi airs new flame, but who's he hunting at the airport?
11:49Two women at the table behind me were gossiping loudly.
11:54God, that's so romantic.
11:56If someone did that for me, I'd say yes immediately.
11:59You don't get it.
12:01Last night at a gala, Lorenzo chose some scholarship girl.
12:05I bet.
12:06I bet he got scammed.
12:08Wait, he didn't pick a rich girl?
12:11He picked a charity chase?
12:13Then why is he freaking out today?
12:15I sipped my coffee,
12:16trying not to react.
12:18I'm guessing Lorenzo didn't realize
12:20giving the white loafs was a marriage proposal.
12:22The first girl said smugly,
12:24How do you know all this?
12:26Because I was at the gala last night.
12:29I froze.
12:30I glanced back.
12:31Didn't recognize her.
12:33Lucky.
12:35So what does the rich girl look like?
12:39She's beautiful.
12:42Stunning, actually.
12:45Then why would Lorenzo give the lily to an outsider?
12:48The girl's voice turned sharp.
12:50Who cares?
12:51The other girl's just a bastard anyway.
12:53Not like us real heiresses.
12:55I coughed, and both women turned.
12:58The moment they saw my face,
12:59one of them gasped and pointed,
13:01unable to speak.
13:06What?
13:08Do you know her?
13:09The other girl stared at me,
13:11then whispered.
13:13Wait.
13:15Are you?
13:16I pressed a finger to my lips.
13:18Both women slapped their hands over their mouths.
13:20I stood up and left.
13:22As I walked away,
13:23I heard one of them shriek.
13:25You didn't tell me she looked like that!
13:27You have zero chance now!
13:29I am on my way to the boarding gate,
13:31and another refund notification hit my phone.
13:33The Rossi family had bought out
13:35every route out of Palermo,
13:36even flights to other cities.
13:38I stood there, clutching my phone,
13:40stuck.
13:41Then it rang.
13:42A New York number.
13:44Hello?
13:45Dante Vitale.
13:46The name of my arranged husband.
13:47His voice was cold, but strangely pleasant.
13:50The kind that made you want to keep listening.
13:52I'm sorry, I...
13:53My men are already at the airport.
13:54They'll bring you to me.
13:56Before I could explain that all the flights were grounded,
13:58I saw it.
13:59A private jet on the tarmac.
14:00Several men in black suits stepped off the plane,
14:03standing at attention.
14:04Understood.
14:05I hung up and walked toward the jet.
14:11It was drizzling.
14:12An umbrella appeared over my head.
14:14The moment I stepped outside,
14:16the man holding it kept his eyes down,
14:18respectful.
14:18Mrs. Vitale,
14:20we're here to bring you home.
14:21That's when Lorenzo spotted me.
14:23He sprinted toward me,
14:24grabbing my wrist.
14:26Elena,
14:27come with me.
14:28Vitale's men immediately surrounded me.
14:30Lorenzo's men closed in.
14:32The two groups faced off.
14:33Onlookers pulled out their phones,
14:35filming.
14:36The man leading Dante's crew was older,
14:38impeccably dressed,
14:39with the calm precision of a man who'd seen everything.
14:42He smiled politely,
14:43but his eyes were stone.
14:45Mr. Rossi,
14:46I'm here to escort Mrs. Vitale home.
14:48Please step aside.
14:50Lorenzo's gaze turned lethal.
14:52She hasn't left Palermo yet.
14:53I'd like to see who has the balls to take my woman.
14:57I felt exhausted.
14:58I'd tried to tell him several times,
15:00but his attention was always on Mia.
15:02Lorenzo,
15:03you've protected me for years.
15:05I'm grateful,
15:06but this is where it ends.
15:08I don't blame anyone.
15:10Don't blame anyone?
15:13Then come back with me.
15:15I'll marry you.
15:16I'll tell the Morettis myself.
15:18The rain fell harder.
15:20Lorenzo's hair was soaked,
15:21his eyes red.
15:22The Vitale butler stepped between us,
15:24unmoved.
15:25Apologies, Mr. Rossi,
15:27but the agreement with the Moretti family
15:28has been finalized.
15:30Mrs. Vitale leaves with us today.
15:32Lorenzo ignored him,
15:34staring only at me.
15:35I shook my head.
15:36Lorenzo,
15:36I told you,
15:38I only wanted three years.
15:39I have someone I truly like.
15:42I never planned to marry you.
15:45This again?
15:46Elena,
15:47you've been trapped in Morettis.
15:49Where would you even meet someone to love?
15:51I know calling you my shadow upset you.
15:53Stop being stubborn
15:54and come back with me.
15:56We'll talk there, okay?
15:57His tone had shifted,
15:58almost pleading now.
16:00I was grateful for his years of protection,
16:01but the moment Lorenzo let go of me
16:04and handed that flower
16:05to the scholarship girl,
16:06it meant we could no longer walk together.
16:10Lorenzo,
16:11Mia is your fiancé.
16:13All of Palermo saw it.
16:14You two should be happy together.
16:16Marry a scholarship girl?
16:18He laughed bitterly.
16:19Are you serious?
16:20I'd marry you before I'd ever marry her.
16:23My expression went cold.
16:25Lorenzo had always liked me,
16:26but he'd never respected me.
16:28This time,
16:29I didn't hesitate.
16:30I turned and walked toward the jet
16:32with the butler.
16:33Lorenzo stood frozen,
16:34his fists clenched,
16:36fury radiating off him.
16:38Elena!
16:39You leave Palermo,
16:41and no one will protect you anymore.
16:44Think carefully.
16:45Once you're gone,
16:47don't come back regretting it.
16:48I didn't answer.
16:49I stepped onto the plane.
16:51The butler had thoughtfully
16:52prepared a towel for me.
16:54He pointed to the washroom
16:55at the back of the plane,
16:56keeping his voice low.
16:57You can freshen up there,
16:58Mrs. Vitale.
16:59Getting caught in the rain,
17:00you'll catch cold.
17:02The jet was luxurious,
17:04clearly not a rental.
17:06This had to be the Vitale family,
17:07private plane.
17:08The Vitale family's power
17:10was on another level.
17:12Even the Morettis
17:13didn't own a private jet.
17:14The plane didn't just have a bathroom,
17:16it had a full bed.
17:18Strangely,
17:19the bedding was soft pink,
17:20definitely not something
17:21Dante Vitale would choose for himself.
17:23In the bathroom,
17:24I changed into the prepared clothes.
17:26Another shock.
17:27The clothes fit me perfectly.
17:29When I came out,
17:30the butler had dismissed the guards
17:31to the back of the cabin.
17:32Excuse me,
17:33I asked.
17:34Does the Don usually use this plane?
17:36The butler saw my confusion.
17:38This plane was purchased
17:39specifically for you,
17:40Mrs. Vitale.
17:41Everything was customized
17:42to your preferences.
17:44The Don personally selected the bedding,
17:46the softest material available.
17:48My jaw nearly dropped.
17:50Something this extravagant?
17:51Casually given to a stranger?
17:53Wasn't he supposed to have
17:54someone he loved?
17:55The flight to New York is long.
17:57You should rest.
17:58So we've prepared
17:59a humidifier for you.
18:06No one had ever cared
18:07about my comfort before.
18:09I'd only ever learned
18:10to read other people's moods.
18:11This sudden concern
18:12made me restless.
18:13Fortunately,
18:14the butler noticed my discomfort
18:15and quietly withdrew.
18:17I pulled out a pen
18:18and started sketching notes,
18:19my mind full of worry
18:21about what lay ahead.
18:22The plane landed
18:23on a sprawling green estate
18:24When I looked closer,
18:26I realized
18:26this was the Vitale compound.
18:28Even coming from
18:29a wealthy family,
18:30I'd never seen anything
18:31this lavish.
18:33Dante Vitale came
18:34to meet me personally,
18:35wearing a warm smile.
18:37Nothing like the cold,
18:38ruthless man
18:38from the rumors.
18:39He draped a coat
18:40over my shoulders.
18:41His voice was smooth
18:43and pleasant.
18:44Are you cold?
18:44I shivered slightly
18:45and stepped back,
18:47putting some distance
18:47between us.
18:48Mr. Vitale,
18:50I know you have
18:52someone you love.
18:52I know marrying me
18:53was forced on you.
18:54Don't worry.
18:55I only need three years.
18:57I won't keep you
18:58from the woman
18:59you love for long.
19:00His brow furrowed,
19:01looking puzzled.
19:02Someone I love?
19:04Three years?
19:05Yes.
19:06For three years,
19:07I'll play the role
19:08of your wife.
19:10I won't interfere
19:11with your private life.
19:12After three years,
19:13we separate.
19:14I won't take a cent
19:15from you.
19:16I can sign an agreement.
19:17His frown deepened.
19:19He looked sharply
19:20toward the butler.
19:20When he got no response,
19:22he stepped closer
19:23and pulled me gently
19:24into his arms.
19:25My face flushed
19:26completely red.
19:27Who said we were
19:28going to keep things
19:29this separate?
19:30My wife?
19:31Seeing me embarrassed
19:32seemed to improve his mood.
19:33He lifted my chin,
19:35leaning closer.
19:35Everything I have
19:36is yours, my wife.
19:37Even after we went inside,
19:39I still hadn't recovered
19:40from the shock.
19:41Wasn't this man
19:42supposed to be cold
19:43and ruthless?
19:43Dante's home
19:44was all sharp lines
19:45and clean edges,
19:46but there were touches
19:47of color,
19:48soft furnishings
19:49that had clearly
19:50been added recently.
19:51The aesthetic was good,
19:52the pieces carefully chosen.
19:54They didn't clash.
19:55Instead,
19:56they made the space
19:56feel comfortable.
19:57I sat on the couch.
19:59I handed him
19:59a folded paper.
20:01This is my plan.
20:03I'd like to borrow
20:03some money.
20:04I'll pay you back
20:05in installments.
20:06He pulled the paper
20:07from my hand
20:07and scanned it.
20:10You need money?
20:12It was humiliating,
20:13arriving with nothing.
20:15No dowry,
20:15nothing of value.
20:16For the Vitalis,
20:18this had to look
20:18like disrespect.
20:19I'd done my research
20:20before landing.
20:21The Vitali family
20:22didn't need alliances.
20:23They didn't need
20:24anyone's support.
20:25They stood alone
20:26at the top.
20:26People lined up
20:27from New York
20:28to Palermo
20:28just to ask them
20:29for favors.
20:30I still didn't understand
20:31why they'd agreed
20:32to this marriage
20:32with the Morettis.
20:33Yes,
20:35I don't have money,
20:37but I promise
20:39I have a way
20:40to pay you back.
20:41He didn't question me.
20:42Instead,
20:42his hand closed
20:43around mine,
20:44warm against
20:45my cold fingers,
20:46and he rubbed gently.
20:47My face flushed again.
20:49His mood
20:49seemed to improve.
20:50Why do you need money?
20:52I looked up sharply,
20:53suddenly realizing,
20:54maybe as Mrs. Vitale,
20:56I wasn't supposed
20:57to have financial control.
20:58Maybe I was expected
20:59to live off an allowance?
21:01To ask permission
21:01for spending money.
21:02I straightened,
21:03meeting his eyes.
21:05Mr. Vitale,
21:06I don't want to be trapped
21:07by the Moretti family,
21:09and I won't be live
21:10as a housewife,
21:11asking for handouts.
21:12I want my own career.
21:14If possible,
21:16I want to take back
21:16what belongs to me
21:17from the Morettis.
21:18Dante looked surprised
21:19that I'd spoken so openly.
21:21He reached up
21:21and ruffled my hair affectionately.
21:24Everything the vitals have
21:25is yours.
21:26Before I could process that,
21:28he gestured to the butler,
21:29who brought over
21:30a black card.
21:30This is my account.
21:32Spend whatever you want.
21:35The room Dante gave me
21:36was the best
21:37in the entire compound.
21:38Sunlight flooded
21:39through the windows.
21:40The decor was soft,
21:41feminine,
21:42like something out
21:43of a princess's quarters.
21:44For someone who'd been
21:45an outsider in the Moretti house
21:47my whole life,
21:47it was almost unbelievable.
21:49I slept well
21:50for the first time in years.
21:51The next morning,
21:52I woke to a message
21:53from Uncle Luca.
21:55Lorenzo is furious.
21:56Why didn't you
21:57come back with him?
21:58Uncle Luca was the only one
21:59in the Moretti family
22:00who'd ever protected me,
22:01but his protection
22:02always came
22:03with strings attached.
22:04Uncle,
22:05I'm a person,
22:06not a pet you can call
22:07whenever you want.
22:09Really?
22:10I thought you'd already
22:11turned yourself
22:12into a weapon
22:13for revenge.
22:14Three years,
22:15I borrowed $100,000
22:17from the Vitales.
22:18I did everything
22:19a Don's wife
22:20was supposed to do.
22:21I attended galas
22:22with Dante,
22:23smiled for the cameras,
22:24let people court my favor.
22:25I played the role
22:26of the beautiful
22:27trophy wife.
22:28Even though Dante
22:29spoiled me endlessly,
22:30I never forgot my place.
22:32But in those three years,
22:33I used that $100,000
22:35to leverage resources
22:36in Palermo.
22:37I dismantled
22:38Moretti operations
22:39piece by piece,
22:40pulled their best men
22:41and capos
22:42into my own network.
22:44Don Earl
22:44finally saw the truth.
22:46His 23 children
22:47were useless.
22:48The second generation
22:49of Morettis
22:50panicked.
22:51Afraid the family's collapse
22:52would hurt their shares
22:53of the casinos
22:54and territories,
22:54they started selling
22:55off their assets.
22:56I bought them all.
22:57One by one,
22:58I took control
22:59of their gambling operations,
23:01their shipping routes.
23:02I flipped operations
23:03that were bleeding money
23:04into profitable enterprises,
23:06expanded territories
23:07they'd neglected.
23:08By the time Don Earl
23:09realized what was happening,
23:10I controlled more
23:11of the family's
23:12income streams
23:13than he did.
23:13The other Moretti heirs
23:15couldn't compete
23:15with me anymore.
23:16It was 10 at night
23:17when I came home.
23:18Dante was sitting
23:19in the warm glow
23:20of the living room,
23:21waiting for me.
23:22My chest tightened.
23:23I walked over
23:24and wrapped my arms
23:25around his shoulders
23:26from behind.
23:26I held him
23:27for a long moment.
23:28Then I let go
23:29and stepped back,
23:30composed again.
23:33Why are you back
23:34so late?
23:34He asked quietly.
23:36Are you tired?
23:37I had soup made for you.
23:38The words I'd been
23:39planning to say
23:40stuck in my throat.
23:41He took my hand
23:42and led me to the table,
23:43watching as I drank
23:44the soup.
23:47When are you going
23:48to let yourself
23:49depend on me?
23:50You don't have to
23:51exhaust yourself like this.
23:52I felt warmth
23:53spread through me.
23:54Looking at him
23:54in the soft light,
23:55I felt a pang of guilt.
23:57The three years are up.
23:59It's time for me
23:59to go back to Morettis.
24:01Dante had known
24:02all along
24:02that I hadn't truly
24:03given up on my plans.
24:04His expression
24:05showed no surprise.
24:09You don't like this
24:10from what I understand
24:10only Luca has been
24:11good to you.
24:12And that Lorenzo
24:12I heard he's come to New York
24:13several times
24:14looking for you.
24:15But you never saw him.
24:16I was surprised he knew
24:17and had said nothing.
24:18do, but he knew
24:18Mary
24:18is
24:18to
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