Three Ex Husbands, One Scam - FULL
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026 #video #film2026 #movie2026
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026 #video #film2026 #movie2026
Category
🎥
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, Mako 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. I'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. I 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,
01:08holding a gift from Chicago handmade candies from that century-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. She knows the rules.
01:22Besides, Ellie's a pup over.
01:24Never makes waves.
01:26Exactly.
01:27She's gotten us out of so much trouble.
01:29This time will be no different.
01:31Ever since we got married, Blair had always acted like he hated Marco and Leo.
01:35I thought he was jealous.
01:36I was even a little smug about it.
01:39Now I knew the truth.
01:40The three of them were clues.
01:42So close, they could plot against me together.
01:45I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
01:47So that's all I was to them.
01:49My feelings, my dignity, my marriage, just tools for them to use.
01:54I sat in the car for an entire afternoon, letting the chill seep through my whole body.
01:59My phone buzzed.
02:00A text from Blaire.
02:01Babe, how was the trip?
02:03Got home soon.
02:04I miss you.
02:05I stated the words, I miss you, and almost laughed.
02:08I got out of the car, tossed the box of chocolates in the trash, and pushed open the front door.
02:13Blair shot up from the sofa, a perfect smile on his face.
02:17Ellie, you're back.
02:20How was the road?
02:21He walked over, smoothly taking my coat and handbag, and gave me a light kiss on the cheek.
02:27He'd done it for a year.
02:29It 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.
02:43Here 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.
02:53The 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.
03:28And 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 and signed my name at the bottom of the agreement.
04:05With a clean, sharp stroke.
04:08Done.
04:08You should call them now.
04:10I want to hear it when their jaws hit the glown.
04:12Blair froze for a second.
04:13Clearly 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,
04:50make 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,
04:58my own phone laid up with two messages.
05:01The first, from Marco.
05:02Long time no see.
05:03When I get together.
05:05The second, from Leo.
05:07Ellie, how are you getting divorced again?
05:09Don't be sad.
05:10I always said that guy wasn't good enough for you.
05:12How about I buy you a drink?
05:14I used to think our friendship was the most important thing in the world.
05:19Marco asked me to marry him to secure his position as heir to the Falcone family.
05:24I 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,
05:35I silently pulled the suitcase from the closet.
05:37After a year of marriage,
05:39I didn't have much.
05:40The clothes and jewelry Blair had given me,
05:43I left them all behind.
05:44Just as I was zipping up the suitcase,
05:47the doorbell rang.
05:47It was Lucia.
05:48I sat at the door and watched as she stumbled in,
05:51drunk,
05:52and threw herself into Blair's arms.
05:56Blair,
05:57I missed you,
05:58so I came over.
05:59Blair instinctively glanced back at me,
06:02a flash of panic in his eyes.
06:05Lucia'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.
06:29All right, all right.
06:30Let's not fight over something so small.
06:32Lucia's just had too much to drink.
06:34She doesn't mean any harm.
06:36Then he looked at me,
06:37his eyes searching my face.
06:39You don't mind, do you, Ileana?
06:42Of course not.
06:44I 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,
07:12and everyone else kept their distance because of the Moretti name.
07:17Only Marco was willing to teach me how to shoot,
07:20taking me to the range every weekend.
07:22Leo even took a bullet for me from a rival family.
07:25He still has the scar on his left shoulder.
07:28Back 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,
07:41including Marco's and Leo's.
07:42They started revolving around her,
07:44forming a new circle.
07:45I was slowly pushed to the sidelines,
07:48only 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,
08:01the lady of the house.
08:03Ileana?
08:04Long time no see.
08:06I've always felt so bad.
08:08I know you think I stole Marco and Leo from you,
08:11but I really didn't mean to.
08:13Marco's heart instantly melted.
08:15He gently steadied her,
08:17and 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.
08:32I 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,
08:46but he recovered quickly.
08:47He took a step forward,
08:49his voice dripping with fake concern.
08:53Eliana,
08:54you don't have to do this.
08:56Well, if you're divorced,
08:57then I guess you'll be giving me my ring back.
08:58Afros,
08:59my 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,
09:11I twisted off the ring
09:12that had once made my heart leap
09:14and turned it over.
09:15Among the delicate filigree,
09:17I saw our names,
09:18Blair and Eliana,
09:20but in a tiny,
09:21almost hidden spot
09:23was a line in Italian.
09:25Per Semperi,
09:26Mia Lucia.
09:27In that moment,
09:28the world started to spin.
09:30I looked at Blair,
09:31desperate 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,
09:38silent.
09:39I remembered the day he proposed.
09:41He was on one knee,
09:43looking at me with so much love.
09:45I had this ring custom made just for you.
09:47It's one of a kind in the world,
09:48just like you are in my heart.
09:50I cried,
09:50thinking I was the luckiest woman alive.
09:53It turned out,
09:54the 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,
10:01I was just the placeholder.
10:03I looked down at the divorce papers,
10:05and suddenly,
10:06I smiled.
10:07Right then,
10:07I was so glad I had signed them.
10:09I said,
10:10placing the ring on the coffee table,
10:13If it has your name on it,
10:17then it's yours.
10:19Lucia's eyes lit up.
10:20She snatched the ring,
10:21slid it onto her own finger,
10:23and admired it.
10:24Thank you,
10:25Eliana.
10:26It really does suit me.
10:28Eliana,
10:28let me explain.
10:30Leia finally said,
10:31stepping forward,
10:32to grab my hand,
10:33but,
10:34I had already turned,
10:36and was walking toward the stairs.
10:38Don't bother.
10:39Since we're divorced,
10:40I shouldn't be living here anymore.
10:42My office,
10:439 a.m. tomorrow,
10:44will finish the paperwork.
10:45I dragged my suitcase out the door,
10:47with Blair calling my name behind me.
10:50Full of panic,
10:51I didn't stop.
10:52From behind me,
10:53I heard Marco's low chuckle.
10:55Nice one, Blair.
10:56She folded even caster
10:57than 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,
11:05my phone buzzed.
11:06A text from Blair.
11:08Eliana,
11:08I will explain about the ring.
11:10Find a place to stay for now,
11:11and I'll come get you in a few days.
11:13Be good.
11:14Don't overthink things.
11:15I looked at the message,
11:16a sneer playing on my lips.
11:18He still thinks I'm coming back.
11:20I gave my dad a call.
11:22Father,
11:22I'm divorced.
11:23That arranged marriage you mentioned,
11:25is the offer still on the table?
11:27Of course,
11:27my dear daughter.
11:28I'm glad you finally made a wise decision.
11:31A year ago,
11:32after my second divorce,
11:34my father had suggested
11:35an arranged marriage
11:37to a man from a powerful allied family.
11:40But I was lost in my fantasy
11:41of falling in love with Blair
11:43and refused
11:44how stupid I had been.
11:46Half an hour later,
11:47I got a new friend request on my phone.
11:49The message read,
11:50Time to meet your fiancé.
11:53The next morning,
11:54at nine,
11:55I arrived at my downtown office
11:56with the Moretti family's private lawyer.
11:59Blair was already there,
12:00looking exhausted and anxious.
12:02He clearly hadn't slept.
12:04Ileana,
12:04about the ring,
12:05I have to explain.
12:06The jeweler messed up the engraving.
12:08I was going to get it replaced,
12:09but there wasn't time,
12:10and I didn't want to upset you
12:11over something so small.
12:12I figured I'd quietly get you
12:14a new one after the wedding.
12:15Ileana,
12:16I know this hurt you,
12:17but you have to believe me.
12:18What I feel for you is real.
12:20After this month,
12:21after I handle things with Lucia,
12:23we'll get remarried.
12:24I promise I'll make it up to you
12:25with the most beautiful wedding ring
12:26in the world.
12:27One month,
12:28he meant that after he finished
12:30his romantic getaway with Lucia,
12:32he expect him to remarry me
12:34like nothing happened.
12:35I understand.
12:36I was done listening
12:37to his shameless excuses.
12:39I turned to my lawyer.
12:40Let's just get this done.
12:42Blair looked stunned,
12:43probably not expecting me
12:44to be so cooperative.
12:46The whole process
12:47was quicker than I thought.
12:49Signatures,
12:50witnesses,
12:51a legally binding contract.
12:52In less than half an hour,
12:54our marriage was officially over.
12:56The moment we stepped
12:57out of the office,
12:59Blair's phone rang.
13:00He glanced at the caller ID
13:02and his whole face softened.
13:04He answered,
13:05his voice gentle.
13:07Lucia,
13:08okay,
13:09I'm on my way.
13:11Don't worry,
13:12I'll take care of you.
13:14Wait for me,
13:15I'll be right there.
13:16He hung up
13:17and turned to me,
13:18the tenderness from the call
13:19still lingering in his eyes.
13:21He tried to look conflicted.
13:24Ileana,
13:24Lucia isn't feeling well.
13:26I have to go check on her.
13:27Wait here for me
13:28and I'll be back
13:29to take you wherever you're staying.
13:30Then he rushed off
13:32without a second glance.
13:33I stood in the lobby
13:34watching his hurry retreat,
13:36a wave of sadness
13:37and relief
13:38washing over me.
13:39That was the man
13:40I once loved so deeply.
13:42Not one minute
13:43after our divorce
13:44was final,
13:45he was already running
13:46to another woman.
13:48I turned
13:48and walked toward
13:50a conference room
13:51at the other end
13:52of the hall.
13:53My new fiancé
13:54was waiting.
13:55Meanwhile,
13:56after waiting
13:56by the building's entrance
13:57for nearly 10 minutes
13:59and seeing no sign
14:00of Ileana,
14:01Blair decided
14:01to go back up
14:02to remind her
14:03about the plan.
14:04Just as he reached
14:05the entrance,
14:06he slammed right
14:07into a man walking out.
14:09Papers
14:09scattered across
14:10the mobile floor.
14:11Blair's divorce decree,
14:13mixed with
14:13the other man's documents,
14:15a gust of wind
14:16from the revolving door
14:17flipped open
14:18the cover
14:19of one file.
14:20It was a marriage contract.
14:22As Blair bent down
14:23to grab his papers,
14:24he caught a glimpse
14:25of the photo
14:25on that contract.
14:27He froze.
14:27He only saw
14:28a small part of it,
14:29but that profile,
14:30the side of that face.
14:32The man sat politely,
14:34quickly gathering his files.
14:36Excuse me.
14:36Blair looked up,
14:37trying to get a clear look
14:38at the man's face,
14:39but he had already
14:40put on a pair
14:41of sunglasses,
14:42revealing only a sharp jawline
14:43and thin lips.
14:44There was an aristocratic air
14:46about him
14:47that felt strangely
14:48familiar to Blair.
14:50It's fine.
14:51Blair replied,
14:52but his eyes were glued
14:53to the marriage contract
14:54in the man's hands.
14:56The man finished
14:57collecting his things
14:58and headed for the exit.
14:59Blair stood there,
15:01a ridiculous thought
15:02growing stronger
15:03in his mind.
15:04Who signs
15:04a marriage contract
15:05on April Fool's Day
15:07and a photo
15:08on that contract?
15:09Even though he only
15:10saw a corner of it,
15:11why did it look
15:12so familiar?
15:13He felt like
15:14he'd seen this man
15:15somewhere before.
15:16That calm,
15:17commanding presence.
15:19That natural air
15:19of old wild power.
15:21Hey, wait!
15:22Just as Blair
15:23called out to the man,
15:24his phone rang.
15:25It was Leo.
15:26He hesitated,
15:27then picked up.
15:28Blair,
15:28where the hell are you?
15:29We're all waiting.
15:30When Blair looked up again,
15:31the man was gone.
15:32A black rose rose
15:33peeled around the corner.
15:35Shit.
15:36A second later,
15:37a text from Mako
15:38came through
15:38with correspondence.
15:40Get a move on.
15:40We need to be
15:41on the private island
15:42in the Bahamas
15:43before sunset.
15:44Lucia's waiting.
15:45Blair stared at the screen
15:47and a memory hit him.
15:48A promise he'd buried
15:49for years.
15:51It was Lucia's dream
15:52back when they
15:53graduated high school.
15:54She wanted to take
15:54everyone to that
15:55secret private island
15:56and party for
15:58three days straight,
15:59watch the most
15:59beautiful sunsast,
16:01and drink the strongest
16:01shit they could find.
16:03Security on the island
16:04was tight.
16:05He was the only one
16:06with an invite.
16:07This was something
16:08only he could do for her.
16:09He glanced back
16:10at the building,
16:11wondering if he should
16:12go up and give
16:13Ileana a heads up,
16:15but time was short.
16:16It was just for a month.
16:18When he got back,
16:19everything would go
16:20back to normal.
16:21Blair shook his head,
16:22pushing the thought
16:23of the mysterious man
16:24out of his mind,
16:26and drove to
16:27the private airfield.
16:28When he got there,
16:29everyone was already
16:31waiting.
16:31Lucia was in a red dress,
16:33the sea breeze
16:34blowing through
16:35her long hair.
16:36The diamond necklace
16:37around her neck
16:38glittered in the
16:39setting sun.
16:40He had bought her
16:40that necklace
16:41for her 17th birthday.
16:43With six months
16:44of his allowance,
16:45she was still
16:46wearing it.
16:47Blair stood at the
16:48bottom of the jet
16:49stairs,
16:49looking at her,
16:50and it was like
16:51they were kids again
16:52ten years ago.
16:53Back then,
16:54Lucia had just
16:55moved to Chicago
16:55from Italy,
16:56wearing the same
16:57kind of red dress,
16:58looking at them
16:59with a shy
17:00but hopeful expression.
17:01As he was lost
17:02in the memory,
17:03a pain of guilt
17:04hit him.
17:04He hadn't given
17:06Eliana many gifts.
17:07The Moratti family
17:08had everything.
17:09She didn't need luxury.
17:10He'd only given her
17:11a simple diamond bracelet
17:13for her birthday,
17:14but she'd worn it
17:15every single day
17:15like a treasure.
17:16He suddenly remembered
17:18signing the divorce
17:19papers today.
17:20Eliana's wrist
17:21had been bare.
17:22The bracelet was gone.
17:23The realization
17:24made his stomach drop.
17:25Why wasn't she
17:26wearing it?
17:27Was she angry?
17:28Or,
17:29Lucia ran over
17:30and hooked her arm
17:31through his.
17:33Blair!
17:33What are you
17:34thinking about?
17:35We've been waiting
17:36forever.
17:37You're late,
17:38so you have to
17:39take three shots
17:39as punishment.
17:40The warmth of her arm
17:41and the sparkle
17:42in her eyes
17:43as she looked up
17:44at him
17:44threw him back
17:45to their teenage years.
17:47Alright,
17:47I'll take my punishment.
17:50The guys saw the vibe
17:51and started
17:52whooping and hollering
17:53and no one
17:54glint in their eyes.
17:55Blair still got it
17:56bad for Lucia!
17:58What,
17:59you jealous?
17:59By the time
18:00they reached
18:00the island villa,
18:02the sky was dark.
18:03On the terrace,
18:04a party was in full swing.
18:05A gentle sea breeze blew,
18:07a stars glittered overhead
18:09and glasses clinked.
18:10Just as Blair was about
18:12to hand Lucia
18:13a glass of champagne,
18:15Marco intercepted,
18:16swapping the flute
18:17in her hand
18:18for a glass of juice.
18:19Marco said,
18:20his eyes full of concern.
18:23You're sick.
18:24No booze.
18:25Lucia took the juice,
18:27blinked her wide,
18:28innocent eyes
18:29and asked.
18:30The air froze.
18:31Everyone stared.
18:32Sick.
18:33What are you talking about?
18:35Blair's champagne glass
18:36hung in midair,
18:37his eyes locked on Lucia.
18:40In the stoutness silence,
18:42Lucia suddenly
18:43burst out laughing,
18:44covering her mouth,
18:45her eyes dancing
18:46with mischief.
18:47April fools!
18:50Raising her juice glass,
18:51almost doubled over
18:52with laughter.
18:53I'm not dying!
18:55I just needed an excuse
18:57to get everyone together
18:59for a wild party!
19:01Blair froze solid.
19:03The 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.
19:13This was all a joke.
19:14He thought about how he divorced
19:16Eliana for this joke.
19:18He thought about Eliana's
19:20unnervingly calm expression
19:21as she signed the papers
19:22about the missing diamond bracelet
19:24on her wrist.
19:26A hot flash of anger
19:27shot through him.
19:29His voice was rough.
19:31What did you say?
19:33Seeing his face,
19:34Lucia's smile faltered,
19:36but 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
19:42on this beautiful island.
19:43Lucia,
19:45even for an April Fool's joke,
19:46that was a little much.
19:49Yeah,
19:50we were all really worried.
19:53Blair just stood there,
19:55the champagne foot
19:56trembling in his hand.
19:59Seeing his dark expression,
20:01Lucia immediately put on
20:02her best innocent,
20:04hurt look.
20:06She walked up to him,
20:07tugging lightly on his sleeve,
20:09her eyes welling up.
20:11Blair, are you mad at me?
20:12I just...
20:14I just missed the days
20:15when we were all together.
20:17Her eyes were red
20:18as if she was about to cry.
20:20I know you have
20:21your own life now,
20:22you have a wife,
20:24but our friendship,
20:26all the good times we had,
20:29that was all real, wasn't it?
20:31That fragile, helpless look
20:33hit Blair right in his weak spot.
20:36He remembered
20:37the 17-year-old Lucia
20:39the first time she'd cried
20:40and asked him for help.
20:42And the fierce,
20:44protective urge he'd felt.
20:46That feeling
20:47had never completely disappeared.
20:50The others
20:51started chiming in.
20:53Some cousin
20:54from a pissing family
20:55snickered.
20:56Someone we know
20:57could never stay mad at her.
21:00Damn right!
21:02Back in school,
21:03anyone who messed with Lucia
21:05had to answer to Blair.
21:06He would have put a guy
21:07on the ground for her!
21:11Everyone laughed
21:12and the tension started to fade.
21:14Blair looked at Lucia
21:15at the verge of tears
21:17and finally caved.
21:19I'm not angry,
21:21just surprised.
21:23Lucia's face broke into a smile.
21:25She pushed a drink into his hand.
21:27Her cheeks flushed
21:29as she looked up at him.
21:30Thank you for coming out with me.
21:32For remembering my dream.
21:35Her voice was soft,
21:36calming his frayed nerves.
21:38Blair raised a glass,
21:39looking at the radiant woman
21:41in front of him.
21:42And the anger and suspicion
21:43began to melt away.
21:45Screw it,
21:46he thought.
21:48Let's just call it
21:49a perfect send-off
21:50to their younger days.
21:52The party ignited again,
21:55laughter and clinging glasses
21:57filling the air.
21:58As the night hit its peak,
22:00Hey, Blair's divorced
22:02and Lucia's single.
22:04It's perfect!
22:09Everyone knew you two
22:11were crazy about each other
22:12back in the day.
22:14Now's your chance!
22:16Get together!
22:17Get together!
22:19Get together!
22:20Yeah!
22:21Blair even divorced
22:22the Moretti princess for Lucia!
22:24It's on you now, Lucia!
22:26The crowd went wild,
22:27cheering and whistling,
22:29the sound echoing
22:30across the island.
22:32Lucia's face turned beet red
22:34and she shyly looked down,
22:35but the slight curve of her lips
22:37showed she didn't mind one bit.
22:39Blair stood frozen,
22:41the deafening chants
22:42ringing in his ears.
22:44But his mind flashed back
22:46to Eliana's eyes,
22:47in the office that day,
22:48so calm,
22:50so final.
22:51He'd thought she was calm
22:53because she knew
22:54the divorce was fake.
22:56Now,
22:56he wasn't so sure.
22:58The look in her eyes,
23:00it was like she was
23:01looking at a stranger,
23:02not the husband she loved.
23:05Lucia whined,
23:06a hint of complaint
23:07in her tone.
23:07Blair?
23:09You're not gonna join in
23:11there teasing,
23:11are you?
23:13Blair snapped back
23:14to reality.
23:15He looked at the girl
23:17who had been his first love,
23:19opened his mouth
23:20to say something,
23:21but the words got stuck.
23:23He couldn't figure it out.
23:26Wasn't this exactly
23:27what he wanted?
23:28This escape,
23:30this freedom.
23:30So,
23:32why did he feel
23:32so damn empty?
23:33The party ended
23:34in a blur.
23:36Blair was blackout drunk.
23:37He vaguely remembered
23:38someone helping him upstairs,
23:39unbuttoning his shirt.
23:41Soft fingers traced his neck.
23:43He tried to push them away,
23:44but he had no strength.
23:45He mumbled in the haze
23:46between sleep and waking.
23:54He woke up the next morning
23:57to sunlight streaming
23:58through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
24:00His head was pounding.
24:02The hangover
24:03made his thoughts
24:04feel like sludge.
24:05He slowly opened his eyes
24:07and saw a spill of black hair
24:08on the pillow
24:09next to him.
24:10Not Eliana's wavy
24:11chestnut hair.
24:12This was straight
24:13and jet black.
24:14He shot up,
24:15suddenly half sober.
24:16It was Lucia,
24:17the sheet had stepped
24:18down to her waist.
24:20Her shoulders were bare.
24:21Fragments of the night before
24:22flashed in his mind.
24:24Lucia crying,
24:25saying she was scared
24:26of being alone,
24:27that she'd always loved him.
24:28She kissed him.
24:29And then,
24:30God.
24:31Blair cursed,
24:33rubbing his temples hard.
24:34He instinctively
24:35grabbed his phone.
24:36No messages from Eliana.
24:38That wasn't right.
24:39Usually,
24:40if he was gone
24:41for half a day
24:42on business,
24:43she'd text him,
24:44asking what he was doing,
24:45what he'd eaten,
24:46if he missed her.
24:47Sometimes,
24:48a dozen messages a day,
24:49just all that little stuff.
24:50He used to find it
24:52a little annoying.
24:53Now,
24:53the silence
24:54was unnerving.
24:55Why hadn't she sent
24:56a single text this time?
24:58Did she really not care
24:59about the divorce?
25:00To a stand,
25:01Lucia stood beside him.
25:03She slowly opened her eyes
25:04and a satisfied smile
25:06spread across her face
25:07when she saw him
25:08sitting there.
25:09Good morning, Blair.
25:12Lucia,
25:12I'm sorry.
25:13I was drunk last night.
25:14We shouldn't have...
25:15What the hell
25:16is 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
25:23brush me off with that?
25:24She tried to get out of bed,
25:26but her legs gave out
25:27and she nearly fell.
25:28Blair instinctively caught her,
25:29then immediately let go
25:30as if he had been burned.
25:32That small action
25:33was the final straw.
25:34Blair Russo,
25:35how long are you
25:36going to keep up this act?
25:38The devoted husband act?
25:39Did you forget?
25:41It was Alana's old man
25:42who put a gun
25:43to your family's head
25:43to make you marry her.
25:45No, that's not how it was.
25:46I was the one
25:47who went after Alana.
25:48You don't even love her.
25:49She didn't believe in love,
25:51was only willing
25:52to do a contract marriage
25:53for a friend's sake.
25:54I was the one
25:55who pursued her,
25:56who convinced her
25:57to give me her heart.
25:58You're lying!
26:00You told me
26:01I was the one you loved.
26:02You wrote me
26:03a love letter,
26:04didn't you?
26:04His words
26:05stabbed Lucia
26:06like a knife.
26:07Her face went pale,
26:08her eyes filling with tears.
26:10Blair stood rooted
26:11to the spot,
26:12his palms slick
26:12with cold sweat.
26:14A love letter.
26:14He had never written
26:15her a love letter.
26:17The only one
26:17he had ever written
26:18was for Alana,
26:19but he never gave it to her.
26:21He had no idea
26:22how it ended up
26:23in Lucia's hands,
26:24but he couldn't say that.
26:25Not now.
26:26Lucia, listen to me.
26:28I don't want to hear
26:28your excuses!
26:29You're divorced now,
26:31why can't you be with me?
26:34Do all those years
26:35mean nothing?
26:35She started sobbing
26:38hysterically,
26:39her whole body shaking.
26:40Suddenly,
26:41she runs for the vanity
26:42and grabs the fruit knife.
26:44Lucia,
26:44what are you doing?
26:47She didn't answer.
26:48She pressed the blade
26:49to her own throat.
26:50The sharp edge
26:51left a thin red line
26:52on her pale skin.
26:54If you don't do what I say,
26:55I'll kill myself!
26:56Alright, alright,
26:56just calm down, okay?
26:58If you leave me,
26:58I'll die right here!
27:00Okay, okay,
27:00I won't leave.
27:01I'll stay,
27:02I'll stay with you.
27:03Just put the knife down.
27:04Hearing that,
27:05the crazed look
27:06in her eyes
27:07slowly faded.
27:08She lowered the knife,
27:09then collapsed
27:10into his arms,
27:11crying like a child.
27:12I know I'm terrible,
27:14I'm selfish,
27:15but I really do love you.
27:16Just stay with me
27:17for a while,
27:17just until you figure out
27:18what you really want.
27:19Please?
27:21Okay, I'll stay.
27:22Lucia's tears
27:23tend to a smile.
27:25She immediately
27:25grabbed his phone.
27:26Before Blair could react,
27:28she had his contacts
27:29open
27:30and was deleting a name.
27:31What are you doing?
27:32Deleting everything,
27:33Aliana.
27:34This way you can be
27:35with me in peace.
27:36No distractions.
27:37Blair watched
27:38as Aileen's phone number,
27:39her private messages,
27:41her email address,
27:42all of it disappeared
27:43one by one.
27:44A strange panic seized him
27:45that he'd already
27:46given his word.
27:47He could only watch
27:48as her name
27:49was erased from his life.
27:51After a week
27:52of partying
27:52on the island,
27:53Marco and Leo
27:54headed back to New York.
27:56Lucia was stuck
27:57to Blair like glue
27:57and they were sick
27:58of watching
27:59the happy couple.
28:00Besides,
28:00tonight was
28:01the Moretti family's
28:02annual dinner.
28:03In past years,
28:05Aileen would have been
28:06excited to invite them
28:07even though
28:08their own families
28:09weren't major players
28:10in the New York underworld.
28:12They assumed
28:13this year
28:13would be the same
28:14until they were stopped
28:16at the gate
28:17by security.
28:18Sir, your invitation.
28:20Invitation?
28:21We come every year.
28:22We've never needed
28:23an invitation.
28:24Sorry, sir.
28:24All guests require
28:25an invitation tonight.
28:26If you don't have one,
28:27you need to leave.
28:28Do you know who we are?
28:29I'm Leo Gallo.
28:30This is Marco Falcano.
28:32We're friends of Eliana.
28:33The guard checked the list
28:34on his clipboard
28:36and shook his head.
28:38Sorry.
28:39Your names aren't
28:39on the guest list.
28:40The words hung in the air.
28:42Other guests arriving
28:43at the estate
28:44slowed down.
28:45Their curiosity peaked.
28:46Soon,
28:47they were recognized.
28:48Isn't that the Gallo kid?
28:50Why is he getting
28:50held up at the gate?
28:52And the Falcone playboy.
28:55What a scene.
28:57Both ex-husbands, right?
28:59Showing up
28:59at the ex-wife's
29:00family party.
29:01Trying to get back together?
29:03Get back together?
29:05You haven't heard.
29:07Don Moretti is supposed
29:08to be announcing
29:08some good news tonight.
29:11The whispers
29:12reached Marco's ears
29:14and his face
29:14turned to stone.
29:16He hated being
29:17called a playboy.
29:18Since becoming friends
29:19with Ileana,
29:20he had never been
29:21humiliated like this.
29:22Just then,
29:23the Moretti family's
29:24old majodomo,
29:25the head of the
29:26household staff,
29:27appeared.
29:28He was dressed
29:28in a perfectly tailored
29:30black tuxedo,
29:31a polite,
29:32professional smile
29:33on his face.
29:34Mr. Gallo,
29:35Mr. Falcone,
29:36I'm very sorry,
29:37but you are not
29:38on the guest list tonight.
29:39Please, leave.
29:40That's impossible.
29:41We've come to this dinner
29:42every year.
29:43We've never been turned away.
29:44That was then.
29:45And you will not be
29:46welcome here
29:47in the future.
29:48The words hit them
29:50like a physical blow.
29:51Marco and Leo
29:52were speechless.
29:53The murmuring
29:54from the crowd
29:55grew louder.
29:56They were the butt
29:57of the joke.
29:58Finally,
29:58they had no choice
29:59but to live
30:00in disgrace.
30:01Back in the car,
30:02they sat in silence
30:03for a long time.
30:04What the hell
30:05just happened?
30:06You think,
30:07you think Alana knows?
30:08Knew what?
30:09That they had pitched
30:10Blair to divorce her?
30:11That they had dished
30:12her for some stupid party?
30:13Marco's knuckles
30:14were white
30:14on the steering wheel.
30:15Three days after
30:16being rejected
30:17from the dinner,
30:18Marco was at his
30:19family's company offices
30:20when his father
30:21called,
30:22screaming,
30:22You useless piece of shit!
30:24What the hell
30:25did you do?
30:26Dad, what's wrong?
30:27The Port Authority
30:28just informed us
30:29our shipping lane
30:29at the South Port
30:30was shut down.
30:32Some bullshit
30:32about security concerns.
30:34That route
30:35has been running
30:36for 10 years
30:37without a single problem.
30:39How does it suddenly
30:39have security concerns?
30:41Marco understood instantly.
30:42He had secured
30:43that shipping route
30:44when he got engaged
30:45to Aliana.
30:46Though Moretti
30:47had greased the wheels,
30:48the influence
30:49of the Moretti family
30:50was the only reason
30:51it had gone through.
30:53The massive profits
30:54from that single route
30:55had solidified
30:56Marcos' position
30:58in his own family,
30:59making him the one
31:00to take over.
31:01Now,
31:01with the road cut,
31:02it wasn't just
31:03a financial loss.
31:04It was an attack
31:05on the foundation
31:06of his power.
31:07I'll handle it.
31:09But,
31:10sitting in his office chair,
31:11he knew
31:12there was only one way
31:13to handle it.
31:14Ask Aliana for help.
31:16For the first time,
31:17a cold, hard truth
31:19landed on him
31:20like a ton of bricks.
31:21Without Aliana,
31:22he was a nobody.
31:24Everything he had,
31:25his status,
31:26his wealth,
31:26his respect,
31:27was built
31:28on his connection
31:29to the Moretti family.
31:30And now,
31:31his old man
31:32had to clean up
31:33his mess.
31:34After a long hesitation,
31:35Marco finally
31:36dialed Aliana's number.
31:38He had to explain,
31:39to apologize,
31:40to fix this.
31:41But all he heard
31:42was a robotic female voice.
31:44The number you have dialed
31:45is no longer in service.
31:47Marco stared at the phone.
31:48He'd been blocked.
31:49A hollow feeling
31:50opened up in his chest.
31:52He remembered
31:53when the fight
31:53for his family's inheritance
31:55was at its most vicious.
31:57He had asked Aliana for help.
31:59She had taken his hand
32:00and agreed
32:01without a second thought.
32:02Just like she said she would,
32:04she would always support him.
32:06Back then,
32:07he thought Aliana
32:08was the most important person
32:10in his life.
32:10He thought the whole world
32:12could change,
32:12but Aliana never would.
32:14He would always be there,
32:16always protect him,
32:17always have his back.
32:18Now,
32:19he couldn't even get her on the phone.
32:20Marco had no idea what to do.
32:23Leo sat in his office,
32:24staring at three contract
32:25termination notices
32:26on his desk.
32:28His fingers trembled.
32:29Three companies,
32:30the backbone of his family's business,
32:32had pulled out on the same day,
32:34citing risk assessment.
32:35They said the news
32:36that you were turned away
32:37from the Moretti dinner
32:38has spread through
32:39the five families.
32:40Everyone's worried
32:41we've crossed on Moretti.
32:42They're afraid
32:43to keep doing business with us.
32:45The words struck Leo
32:46like lightning.
32:47He never imagined
32:48that that night's humiliation
32:49was more than just losing face.
32:51It was a direct hit
32:52to his family's bottom line.
32:54In the New York Underworld,
32:56the Moretti family's word
32:57was law.
32:58Leo kicked over the coffee table
33:00in a fit of rage
33:01and hurled his phone
33:02against the wall.
33:03The screen spiderwebbed
33:04but remained lit.
33:05He stared at Aliana's picture
33:07on the screen,
33:08a storm of anger
33:09and self-pity
33:10brewing inside him.
33:12He couldn't understand
33:13how she could be so ruthless,
33:15giving him no warning at all.
33:17She used to be so good to him.
33:18Years ago,
33:19his father had tried
33:20to arrange a marriage for him
33:22with the daughter
33:22of an Italian mob boss
33:24to secure an arms deal.
33:26Leo wanted nothing to do
33:27with the notoriously spoiled brat
33:29and was desperate
33:30for a way out.
33:31Just for show.
33:32We'll divorce in a year.
33:34You'll be free,
33:35I'll be free.
33:35But in his heart,
33:37it was never just for show.
33:38From the first time
33:39he saw her as a kid,
33:41he was captivated.
33:42He remembered waking up
33:43in the hospital once
33:44and she was sitting by his bed,
33:46her eyes red and swollen.
33:48Leo, thank you.
33:50You'll always be my best friend.
33:52Friend,
33:53that's all she ever saw him as.
33:55When he tried to delay the divorce,
33:57all she said was
33:57there wasn't a trace
33:58of affection in her voice.
34:00So,
34:01he grew to despise Blair.
34:02He was eaten up
34:03with jealousy
34:04that Blair was the one
34:06who had won
34:07Ileana's love.
34:08If he couldn't have her,
34:09why should Blair?
34:10Leo had been the first one
34:11to plant the
34:12fake divorce idea.
34:15He knew it was cruel
34:16to Ileana,
34:17but he thought
34:17it would show her
34:18who really loved her.
34:20Once she was single,
34:21he'd have his shot.
34:23He'd make her see him.
34:24He never imagined that
34:26once she was divorced,
34:27she wouldn't even look back
34:28in his direction.
34:29She just cut them all off.
34:31It was late
34:32when Leo got home.
34:33The butler told him
34:34Don Gallo was waiting
34:35in the study.
34:36He pushed open the door
34:37and saw his father
34:38sitting on the sofa,
34:39his face a sundercloud.
34:41Dad,
34:42I know what you want
34:43to talk about.
34:43You know?
34:44Do you know how much money
34:46the company lost today?
34:48Do you have any idea
34:49how much damage
34:50you've done
34:50to this family's reputation?
34:52Years ago,
34:53you said you wanted
34:54to marry the Morelli girl.
34:56I supported you
34:57because it was good
34:58for the family.
34:59Now you've divorced her,
35:00pissed her off,
35:01and run this family
35:02into the ground.
35:03What's your plan?
35:06I'll figure something out.
35:08Figure something out?
35:09What can you figure out?
35:11Don Maramoretti
35:12has made his position clear.
35:14We're being shut out
35:15by the five families.
35:17He put a file from a drawer
35:18and threw it on the desk
35:20in front of Leo.
35:21This is the file
35:22on the eldest daughter
35:23of the Benedetti family.
35:2523 years old,
35:26Stanford 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
35:35will get our family
35:36through this crisis.
35:38And this time,
35:39there's no one left
35:39to save you.
35:40Leo wanted to argue,
35:41but the words
35:42died in his throat.
35:43It was true.
35:44There was no one
35:45left to save him.
35:46Eliana was gone.
35:47After his father left,
35:48Leo sat alone
35:49in his study,
35:50feeling completely
35:51hollowed out.
35:52He went to the safe,
35:53entered the combination,
35:54and from the very back,
35:56he pulled out a photograph.
35:57It was a candid photo
35:58he'd secretly taken
36:00over a decade ago.
36:01Eliana, at 15,
36:03laughing in a garden.
36:03She was wearing
36:04a white dress,
36:05sunlight filtering
36:06through the leaves
36:07onto her face.
36:08She was looking down,
36:09smiling at a small kitten.
36:10Leo stared at the photo,
36:12his heart twisting
36:13in his chest.
36:14He finally understood
36:15a brutal,
36:17simple fact.
36:18For him
36:18and Eliana,
36:19it was over.
36:20There was nothing left.
36:21Take me around the world,
36:22will you?
36:24It's been my dream
36:25since I was a little girl
36:26to see the whole world
36:28with the person I love.
36:29Leia looked at her
36:30hopeful smile
36:31and a wave of disgust
36:32washed over him.
36:33But the memory
36:34of her suicide attempt
36:35was still fresh.
36:36He forced a nod.
36:38Okay.
36:39And so their long journey began.
36:41From the islands
36:41of Southeast Asia
36:42to the ancient cities
36:44of Europe,
36:44from the savannas
36:45of Africa
36:46to the rainforests
36:47of South America,
36:48Lucia was as excited
36:50as a child,
36:51insisting they do
36:52all the things couples do.
36:53But Blair's mind
36:54was a million miles away.
36:56Every sunset,
36:57every sunrise,
36:58every beautiful landscape
36:59only made him think
37:00of Eliana.
37:01Would she have liked to hear?
37:02Would she be taking pictures
37:03excitedly like Lucia?
37:05The thoughts
37:05were a constant torment.
37:07Hida told himself
37:08he needed space
37:09from Eliana.
37:10Time to think.
37:11It's human nature,
37:12he guessed.
37:13You get used to
37:14what you have
37:14and you start thinking
37:15about what you lost.
37:17For him,
37:17that 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
37:23before Eliana.
37:24Then Marco and Leo
37:25introduced him to her
37:26and he found out
37:27she was the Eliana Moretti,
37:29the princess
37:29every guy
37:30in their world wanted.
37:32Back then,
37:32with his family
37:33being small time,
37:34she was completely
37:35out of his league.
37:36He was jealous
37:37as hell
37:37of Marco and Leo.
37:38They got to be close to her,
37:40treated her
37:40like one of the guys.
37:42So he fought his way
37:43into their circle.
37:44The chase was everything
37:45and when he finally got her,
37:47his family's power
37:48started to grow too.
37:50For the first time,
37:51he felt like
37:51he was on her level.
37:53But comfort
37:53turns into boredom.
37:55Even the best story
37:56gets old
37:57if you read it
37:59enough times.
38:00So this whole
38:01April Fool's thing,
38:02it was his out.
38:03A way to finally
38:04keep his promise
38:05to Lucia
38:06and maybe
38:07just a way
38:08for him to breathe.
38:09But now that it was done,
38:10it didn't feel like
38:11the easy escape
38:12he'd imagined.
38:13The thrill of betrayal
38:14was real,
38:15but it left
38:15a strange taste
38:16in his mouth
38:17and emptiness
38:18he couldn't explain.
38:19He tried to break it off
38:20with Lucia
38:21several times
38:22to tell her
38:23how he really felt.
38:24But every time
38:25he was about to speak,
38:26she would conveniently
38:27get sick,
38:28allergies,
38:29high fevers.
38:30Each time,
38:31she would look at him
38:32with those big,
38:33pitiful eyes.
38:34Blair,
38:35I'm so glad you're here.
38:37What would I do
38:38without you?
38:39Defeated,
38:40Blair would put out
38:41the breakup
38:41and take care of her.
38:42The trip dragged on
38:43like this for three months
38:45until Blair overheard Lucia
38:47on a video call
38:48with a friend.
38:49You have no idea
38:50Blair is completely
38:51wrapped around my finger.
38:53I have the doctor
38:54write fake medical notes.
38:56Every time he tries
38:57to break up with me,
38:58I get sick
38:59and he turns into a puddle.
39:00I've already sent
39:01all our pictures together
39:03to Alana.
39:03I told her
39:04Blair chose me
39:05and that she should
39:06stop bothering him.
39:07She should have given up
39:08for good by now.
39:10Lucia,
39:11you're amazing.
39:12You even stole a man
39:13from a Moradi?
39:14What good is being born
39:16into a powerful family?
39:17She still couldn't
39:18keep her man.
39:19I just wanted her to know
39:20that Blair dumped her
39:21for me.
39:23Next step
39:24is to get pregnant.
39:26I'll drug him again
39:27just like that first night.
39:28Then he'll have to marry me.
39:30Listening to this
39:31vicious scheming,
39:32Blair's mind went blank.
39:33The sicknesses were fake.
39:34Her innocence was fake
39:36and she had to contact
39:37to Alana,
39:38torturing her
39:38with those photos.
39:39A blind rage
39:40took over.
39:41He threw the door open
39:42and stormed in.
39:43What did you just say?
39:45Blair,
39:46you're back?
39:47I was just joking around.
39:49Joking?
39:50You drugged me?
39:52Used fake doctor's notes
39:53to lie to me?
39:54You sent pictures
39:55to Alana to torture her?
39:57Was that all a joke too?
39:58Blair,
39:59let me explain.
39:59I only did it
40:00because I love you so much.
40:02I was afraid of losing you.
40:03Enough!
40:03Blair,
40:04where are you going?
40:05He sped to the airport.
40:07Only one thought
40:08in his mind.
40:09Get back to New York.
40:10Find Liana
40:11and explain everything.
40:12During the long flight,
40:14Blair replayed
40:14the last three months
40:15in his head.
40:16Every time Luchel was sick,
40:17every pitiful look
40:18now seemed disgusting
40:19and because of those lies,
40:21he had wasted three months.
40:22The next evening,
40:23after landing,
40:24Blair's first stop
40:25was a jeweler.
40:26He bought a diamond ring.
40:28He hadn't forgotten
40:29his promise to Alana
40:31that he would give her
40:32a ring
40:33that was hers alone.
40:34Then,
40:35he drove to
40:36the Moderati family estate.
40:38He knew
40:38she would be there.
40:40The whole way,
40:40he rehearsed
40:41what he would say,
40:42how he would beg
40:43for her forgiveness.
40:45Finally,
40:45he pulled up
40:46to the familiar gates.
40:48He practically
40:48beat on the massive door.
40:50Open up!
40:52Liana!
40:53I know you're in there!
40:55He pandered
40:55for what felt like
40:56an eternity
40:57before the door
40:58finally opened.
40:59Liana stood there
41:00in a loose silk robe,
41:01her hair pinned up carelessly.
41:03She looked relaxed.
41:04Happy.
41:05But what made Blair freeze?
41:06What turned his blood to ice
41:07was the side
41:08of her slightly rounded belly,
41:10barely hidden
41:10by the flowing fabric.
41:11She looked to be
41:12about four months along.
41:13Seeing Aliana pregnant,
41:15Blair was first shocked,
41:17then filled
41:17with a wave of joy
41:18and crushing guilt.
41:20He did a math.
41:21Four months.
41:21The timing was perfect.
41:23The baby had to be his.
41:25His heart hammered
41:26against his ribs
41:27and his eyes burned.
41:29My God!
41:29She's pregnant with my child
41:31and I've been traveling
41:32the 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,
41:40a man's hand
41:41reached out
41:42from inside the doorway,
41:43planting itself firmly
41:45on his chest,
41:46stopping him.
41:47Aliana took a step back
41:48and the man beside her
41:49wrapped a protective arm
41:51around her waist.
41:52The movement was so natural,
41:54so practiced,
41:55as if they had done it
41:56a thousand times.
41:57Blair's words died
41:58in his throat.
41:59He stared in shock
42:00at the man
42:01who had appeared
42:02from the shadows.
42:03He was handsome,
42:04maybe in his early 30s.
42:05Dressed in a tailored
42:06navy blue robe,
42:07he stood with the easy confidence
42:09of a man born to power.
42:11But what Joe Blair
42:12insane with jealousy
42:13was the look in Aliana's eyes
42:15when she looked at the man.
42:16It was a tenderness
42:17he had never seen before.
42:18Aliana leaned into
42:19the man's embrace,
42:21a look of pure bliss
42:22he'd never seen on her before.
42:24She looked at Blair,
42:25her tone light.
42:27Get married again?
42:28Why don't you ask my husband
42:30if that's okay with him?
42:32Blair was completely stunned.
42:34His eyes dotted between Aliana,
42:36the man beside her,
42:37and her pregnant belly.
42:38His brain couldn't
42:39process the information.
42:40Husband,
42:41he looked closely at the man
42:43and the memory sparked.
42:44This was the man
42:45in the dark gray suit
42:47he had bumped into
42:48outside the lawyer's office
42:50on the day of the divorce.
42:51He also remembered
42:53who he was,
42:54Lorenzo De Luca.
42:55The De Luccas
42:56were one of the few families
42:58on the same level
42:59as the Morettis
43:01in New York.
43:02The baby,
43:03is it mine?
43:05What do you think?
43:07Lorenzo didn't speak,
43:08but the look
43:09he gave Aliana's stomach
43:10was filled with the soft joy
43:12and protectiveness
43:13of a father-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
43:22he was traveling the world
43:23with Lucia,
43:24Aliana hadn't just remarried.
43:26She was pregnant
43:27with another man's child,
43:28and she looked happy.
43:30No.
43:31That's impossible.
43:33Ellie, we had a deal.
43:34It was a fake divorce.
43:35It was an April Fool's joke.
43:37Sorry, Blair.
43:38In our world,
43:38there are no jokes,
43:40only contracts,
43:41and ours has been terminated.
43:42But since you seem
43:44to enjoy holidays,
43:45allow me to wish you one.
43:47Happy April Fool's, Blair.
43:49The heavy door
43:50swung shut in his face.
43:52Blair stood before
43:53the closed door,
43:54his entire world collapsing.
43:56He finally understood
43:57the look in Aliana's eyes
43:59when she signed the papers.
44:00It wasn't calm.
44:01It was finality.
44:02It was acceptance.
44:04It was the look of someone
44:05who had completely given up.
44:07She never had any intention
44:09of getting back together with him.
44:11From the moment
44:11she signed that paper,
44:13she had deleted him
44:14from her life.
44:16Blair stood outside
44:17the gate all night
44:18until security forced him
44:19to leave at dawn.
44:20The months that followed
44:21were a downward spiral
44:22for all three men.
44:24Shanned by the Moretti family,
44:25Marco and Leo
44:26quickly lost their standing
44:28in their own families.
44:29Without the Moretti connection,
44:31the networks they had built
44:32vanished.
44:33But the blow to Blair's
44:34Russo family was fatal.
44:36The scandal of forcing his wife
44:38into a fake divorce
44:39for his mistress
44:40was leaked
44:41and it spread like wildfire
44:42through the upper crust.
44:44This story was so absurd,
44:46so pathetic,
44:47that the Russo family
44:48became a laughingstock.
44:49Their influence
44:50evaporated overnight.
44:52Blair didn't care.
44:53He was living in a fantasy,
44:55convinced that
44:56Aliana's baby was his,
44:58that she was just angry
45:00and would come back
45:01to him eventually.
45:03Then, Lucia delivered
45:04the final blow.
45:05She secretly drained
45:06the lust of Marcos,
45:08Leo's,
45:09and Blair's savings
45:10and disappeared.
45:11Blair was forced to move
45:12out of his family's estate
45:14and into a small apartment
45:16on the other side
45:17of the city.
45:17He printed out
45:18every picture he had
45:19of him and Aliana
45:21and covered
45:22an entire wall
45:23with them.
45:23He spent his days
45:25looking at the few things
45:26he had left
45:27of their life together,
45:28including the ring
45:29he never got to give her.
45:30At night,
45:31he would stare at the photos
45:32and mutter to himself,
45:34She still loves me.
45:36I know she still loves me.
45:38A few months later,
45:39he heard a news report
45:40on the TV
45:41at the convenience store.
45:43Mr. Lorenzo De Luca
45:44and his wife,
45:46Mrs. Aliana Moretti,
45:48attended a charity gala
45:49this evening.
45:50Blair lunged toward the TV.
45:52His eyes glued to the screen.
45:54There she was.
45:55Lorenzo was gently helping
45:57a radiant Eliana,
45:58dressed in an elegant
46:00evening gown,
46:01walked the red carpet.
46:02She was dazzling,
46:03her smile so bright
46:05it was hard to look away.
46:06Lorenzo would lean down
46:07to whisper in her ear
46:08and she would laugh.
46:10They looked so perfect together,
46:11so in love.
46:12The camera zoomed in
46:13and Blair saw
46:14the brilliant diamond ring
46:16on Eliana's hand
46:17and the priceless necklace
46:18around her throat.
46:19They were from Lorenzo.
46:21Blair stumbled back
46:22to his apartment
46:22in a daze,
46:24collapsed to the floor
46:25and stared at the empty room.
46:27He started to laugh,
46:28a wild, unhinged sound.
46:29Then the laughter
46:30turned to tears.
46:32He carried up on the floor,
46:33his back against
46:34the wall of photos
46:35and sobbed,
46:36loud and broken,
46:37like a little boy.
46:38He had lost everything,
46:40his family,
46:41his status,
46:41his money,
46:42and most importantly,
46:43his Eliana.
46:45Annie was all
46:45his own damn thought.
Comments