- 23 hours ago
You Want My Ring! Get on Your Knees
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm Issa Borgia, the daughter of the most powerful Don in Corvina.
00:03My father worries I'll marry the wrong man on a whim, so he arranges for me to be engaged to
00:08Luca,
00:08the rising heir of the Marino family. It's an arranged marriage, but that doesn't mean I've
00:13lost all my say. The very least I can do is choose a ring I genuinely like. So, I go
00:19to the mafia
00:19auction. When the diamond ring appears as the final jewel of the night, I lift my paddle. Just
00:26before the gavel falls, an arrogant voice comes from behind me. A country bumplin' like you thinks
00:32you can compete with me? Do yourself a favor and leave. The auction hall goes quiet for a few
00:38seconds. The only sound comes from the camera shutters clicking around the hall. I turn and
00:43see a woman in a gold couture gown. Her mouth curves in a casual smile as if she owns the
00:48place.
00:48Before I can say a word, the auctioneer rushes to close the bid. Sold! Congratulations to Miss
00:54Sofia Lopez for winning the final lot, the Eternal Star! My brows pull tight and a hot spike of anger
01:02rises in my chest. You ended the bidding early. Do you even follow the rules here? Sofia turns around
01:08and gives me a once-over, her gaze sharp as a blade. Rules? She lets out a cold laugh. Come
01:14on! I'm Luca
01:15Marino's favorite godsister. Around here, I make the rules. I can't help but laugh. What a coincidence!
01:23So, she's my fiancé's godsister. I pull out my phone and call him. Luca, your godsister just
01:30snatched the engagement ring I picked out. How are you gonna handle this?
01:37It seemed like Sofia Lopez wasn't just a godsister to Luca Marino. If Luca couldn't give me a good
01:43explanation, this engagement was off the table. I called the number I'd saved but never once dialed.
01:49Once the call connected, I went straight to the point. Your godsister is trying to snatch the
01:55engagement ring I chose. What do you have to say about that? Silence hung for a moment.
02:00Then, a cold, unfamiliar voice came through the line.
02:03Who is this? Whatever's going on between Sofia and me isn't something an outsider gets to question.
02:09Before I could say my name, he had already hung up. I stared at the dark screen for a second
02:14and let
02:14out an incredulous laugh. Obviously, he hadn't even saved my number. Sofia's laughter cut through
02:21the crowd, sharp with smug delight. Pathetic. You somehow got Luca's number and actually think
02:27that means he knows you? God, you're cracking me up. She tilted her chin and twisted a lock of hair
02:34around her fingers while looking me over again. Seriously, look at what you're wearing. Even the
02:40nannies in the Marino family dress better than you. The lackeys around her couldn't hold back and burst
02:45into mocking laughter. I had always believed comfort mattered more than designer labels,
02:52but in a hall drowning in diamonds and custom gowns, no one here cared about that belief.
02:57I pressed my lips together, heat rising up my chest. So, you're still judging people by logos?
03:03You're unbelievably shallow. Lucas sure had special taste when picking his god sister.
03:10Thanks to her stunt, I wasn't in the mood for the auction anymore. I turned to the auctioneer and
03:14pointed straight at the eternal star ring in the display case. I want to activate the automatic
03:19bidding system. Whatever she offers, I'll pay double. Miss, our automatic bidding service is reserved
03:27for clients with VIP cards. Sofia gave a sharp little snort. She reached into her clutch,
03:32pulled out a gold VIP card, and slapped it onto the podium. I spend seven figures a year here.
03:38And you? How exactly do you compare to me? I drew in a slow breath, took out a plain black
03:45card
03:46with no logo, and placed it beside hers. Unlimited credit black card. Is that sufficient? Open the VIP
03:53account and restart the bid. A wave of startled whispers rolled through the hall. Sofia's smile faded,
04:01and her tone turned colder. This is Marino territory. If anyone sides with her, I'll make
04:08sure they never work in this city again. The auctioneer's face went chalk white. His voice
04:13shook as he said, Miss, I'm just a staff member. I really can't afford to offend the Marino family.
04:20Several guests who'd seen the whole thing started trying to persuade me.
04:23Just let it go. I've run into Miss Lopez before. Mr. Martino indulges her in everything.
04:30Someone crossed her last month, and his entire business was gone the very next day.
04:35Miss, even if you've got money, don't fight the Marino family. Their reach isn't something people
04:41like us can survive. Just apologize and ask Miss Lopez to forgive you before this gets worse.
04:47Under all those cautious glances and hushed warnings, Sofia only grew more pleased with
04:52herself. She crossed her arms and came closer, wearing a smug smile. The amusement in her eyes
04:58practically sparkled. You heard them. Get on your knees and shout. I'm broke, and I know I was wrong.
05:06Do that, and maybe I'll let you walk out of here.
05:12In all 26 years of my life, no one had ever dared to talk to me like that. Say that
05:18again?
05:19What exactly do you want me to shout? Are you deaf? I said, I'm broke, and I know I was
05:26wrong.
05:27Got it now? Loud and clear. Since you admit you're broke, hurry up and get out of here before you
05:33drag
05:34down the Marino name. Sofia's face flushed as she finally realized what I'd done.
05:38You! You twisted my words! How dare you make fun of me!
05:42She screeched and hurled herself at me, arms flailing like a furious chicken. It would have
05:47been funny if she weren't so noisy. I had trained with my family's bodyguards in Corvina for 10 years.
05:53I wasn't about to be intimidated by a woman whose punches were nothing but a performance.
05:57I drove a clean sidekick into her ribs. Sofia went down hard, folding onto the carpet with a pained
06:04groan. Regret. Next time you open your mouth, remember whose territory you're standing on.
06:09Gasps rippled through the hall.
06:14Oh my god! She actually hit Mrs. Lopez!
06:17When Mr. Marino hears about this, he'll have her chopped up and thrown into the bay.
06:22She's done. Not even God can save her now.
06:26I tuned their chatter out. The Marino family only stood where they did today because my father had
06:32pulled them up when they were nothing. In this city, there wasn't a single person I needed to
06:37be afraid of. I slapped my black card on the podium again. Like I said, whatever she bids,
06:44I'll pay double. Wrap the ring and hand it over. The auctioneer's knees visibly buckled.
06:49Hands shaking, he hit the authorization button and personally presented the velvet box to me.
06:54I put it into a bag and turned to leave. Only for Sofia to drag herself upright and stumble back
06:59into my path. Don't you dare leave! I tapped the toe of my heel against the floor and glanced down.
07:06What is it? You want another practical demonstration? She instinctively took a step back.
07:13I let out a soft dismissive laugh and pivoted toward the exit.
07:18But I didn't get far. A wall of men in black suits suddenly filled the doorway,
07:22blocking every way out. Before the guests could even process what was happening,
07:27the line of bodyguards split cleanly down the middle. A man walked through the gap they made.
07:31I looked up, and for a second my heart actually skipped. The overhead lights fell across him,
07:37outlining every inch of his frame. He had the kind of build tailors dreamed about. Broad shoulders,
07:42narrow waist, long legs. His face was all sharp planes and clean edges. So perfect it looked like
07:48someone had carved it out of stone. Sofia immediately switched on the waterworks and
07:53ran to him, tears glistening. Luca, she stole my ring and hit me. So, this was my fiancé. No wonder
08:02my father had sworn up and down that I'd like him. He knew me too well. I was hopelessly shallow
08:07when it
08:07came to looks, and Luca fit my taste a little too perfectly. Seeing that face alone, I almost felt like
08:13forgiving his earlier attitude on the phone. I straightened, gave him my most confident smile,
08:18and introduced myself. Hi, I'm Issa Borgia, your fiancé.
08:26A ripple of shock moved through the crowd. What did she say? She's Mr. Marino's fiancé!
08:32Well, obviously, the fiancé matters more than a god sister. Not really. It depends on who Mr.
08:39Marino actually favors. Luca's cold gaze settled on me. Don't flatter yourself. That engagement was
08:45my father's decision. I never agreed to it. Sophia leaned into Luca with her head on his
08:50shoulder, her eyes sparkling with a challenge she wasn't bothering to hide. Look at you in those
08:55cheap clothes. You really think you deserve to marry him? You're not even qualified to shine my
09:01shoes. Someone in the crowd eagerly piled on. Exactly. If Mr. Marino ever gets married,
09:07it'll be to a real heiress. Why would he choose a nobody from the countryside? She looks dirty.
09:14I feel like the air smells worse already. She's nowhere near Ms. Lopez's level. I'd worn something
09:19simple. There was nothing dirty about it. But in their mouths, I'd somehow turned into a walking
09:24trash heap. People always did love kicking whoever they thought was at the bottom.
09:32I lifted my eyes slowly and let my gaze sweep the entire auction hall before bringing it back to
09:37Luca's face. In that case, go home and tell your father to call off the wedding. And the reason?
09:44I don't want you. My father told me that Luca's father, Antonio Marino, had pulled every string he
09:50could to make this engagement happen. If he ever learned it all blew up because of Luca, I'd pay to
09:55see the look on his face. That thought eased my irritation. I couldn't be bothered arguing with this
10:01pack of idiots anymore, so I turned to leave. But Sophia wasn't done. She came stomping toward me in
10:06her stilettos like a hyena that had caught the scent of blood, with two bodyguards following
10:10closely behind her. The black pistols peeking from their holsters were enough to freeze the room.
10:16You bitch! You think you can just walk away? You snatched my ring and laid hands on me?
10:22We're not done! I gave her a cold look.
10:25So what exactly do you want to do?
10:27She mistook my patience for fear. Her hand snapped up toward my face.
10:31I'll hit you until I feel better!
10:37Before her palm could land, I caught her wrist, twisted, and slapped her across the face with
10:42my other hand. Sophia clutched her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.
10:45You lowlife! How dare you!
10:49Why wouldn't I? I cut her off, slapping her other cheek just as hard.
10:53Is this enough for you? The two slaps knocked the arrogance right off her face.
10:57Tears sprang to her eyes as she stumbled back and threw herself behind Luca, using him like a
11:02shield. Luca! She hit me! You have to stand up for me!
11:07Luca pulled her behind him and looked at me with a gaze so dark it could have dripped ink.
11:11How dare you slap her? You must really have a death wish.
11:15He gave his bodyguards a subtle hand signal. Several of the bodyguards lunged at me at the same time.
11:21I took down the first one who charged at me, but the rest came too fast.
11:25Hits rained on me from all directions. Pain tore through my ribs and back until my legs gave out.
11:31Two bodyguards grabbed me under the arms and hauled me over to Luca and Sophia.
11:37Luca stroked Sophia's swollen cheek and said softly,
11:41Do whatever you want with her. If anything happens, I'll take care of it.
11:44His words sent a spark through Sophia. She spat at me, her face contorting with cruel satisfaction.
11:50Bitch! Weren't you so bold just now? Come on, keep acting tough.
11:56You want to fight me over a ring?
12:00Fine. I'll break your fingers. Let's see what you'll wear on them after that.
12:04At her nod, the two bodyguards pinned my shoulders before forcing my arm out in front of me,
12:09stretching my fingers over the polished floor.
12:11I lifted my head and stared straight at Luca and Sophia.
12:14If you go through with this, I swear I'll make you both pay for it.
12:18Sophia let out a sharp laugh.
12:21The Marino family is one of the five ruling houses in Norham City.
12:24And you? You're a nameless little stray from nowhere.
12:27You think you get to threaten us today?
12:29I'll make sure you never forget what happens when you cross me.
12:35Her stiletto drove down on my fingers and pain ripped through my hand.
12:39I bit down so hard I tasted blood.
12:41I was pretty sure I heard something crack.
12:43Everyone around us looked away from the violence, but no one had the courage to step in.
12:48She shouldn't have picked a fight with a Marino.
12:50Her hands are done for.
12:52She'll be lucky if she can even feed herself after this.
12:54We're just civilians. People like us swallow our pride or end up dead.
12:58I had loved the piano since I was a child.
13:00I would be performing on stages all around the world.
13:03I couldn't lose my hands.
13:05The thought of losing them sent a cold, strangling fear through me.
13:09When Sophia lifted her heel again, my resolve collapsed.
13:12I was wrong!
13:14You can have the ring!
13:15Take it!
13:16Just don't hurt my hands!
13:18Revenge could wait, but fingers didn't grow back.
13:21However, Sophia didn't pause.
13:23Her heel pressed down again, harder this time.
13:25A metallic smell rose from my bleeding hand.
13:31Sophia finished grinding her heel into my fingers, then squatted down, pinched my chin tightly,
13:36and brought her face right up to mine.
13:38Her mascara was a little smudged, and fine lines were visible at the corners of her eyes.
13:43I noticed these details only because my face was pressed so close to hers.
13:47Do you actually think you're special?
13:49She whispered softly, as if sharing a secret.
13:52Let me tell you, Luca has already gone through three fiancées.
13:56I drove every single one of them away.
13:59You're the fourth, and by far the stupidest one.
14:02Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth, but I didn't talk back.
14:06It wasn't because I didn't dare it, was because I had no strength left.
14:09My right hand had already gone completely numb.
14:12I didn't dare look at it.
14:13That's right.
14:14Sophia laughed, her voice full of malice.
14:17The first one was dumped by him.
14:18The second left on her own.
14:20And the third, I personally made her disappear.
14:24Her eyes changed, turning dark and sinister.
14:27How long do you think you can hold on?
14:29She stood up and coldly ordered the bodyguard,
14:31pin her other hand down too?
14:33Today I'm going to crush both of her hands.
14:36Let's see how she seduces after this!
14:40You bitch!
14:43Oh, now you're scared.
14:45Too late for that.
14:47You're not leaving this place until I say so.
14:51A scream tore out of my throat.
14:53I turned my head to Luca.
14:55Luca, aren't you afraid of who I am?
14:58If you let her do this, you'll regret it.
15:02Who are you?
15:04You're nothing.
15:06Just a woman who tricked my father.
15:08Sophia saw his reaction, and her smile grew even more vicious.
15:12You're still trying to seduce Luca while I'm right here.
15:16If I don't break your hands, you'll never learn.
15:20No!
15:21Ah!
15:21Don't!
15:22Just then, my phone rang from inside my bag.
15:25I struggled against the men holding me trying to reach for it,
15:28but Sophia moved faster.
15:30She grabbed the phone, glanced at the screen,
15:32and answered it with a cold laugh.
15:34My father's voice came through at once, tight with worry.
15:38Iza, why aren't you home yet?
15:41Is the auction still going?
15:43I dragged in a breath, and shouted as loudly as I could.
15:46Papa, help me!
15:48They're going to destroy my hands!
15:55My father's voice went cold in an instant.
15:58What?
15:58Who is this?
15:59Sophia shouted into the phone.
16:01I'm Sophia Lopez.
16:02Your daughter's been acting like a slut with men,
16:05so I'm teaching her a lesson!
16:08I don't care who you are.
16:09Let my daughter go.
16:11Touch her again, and you'll wish you'd never been born.
16:13If you've got the guts, come over here.
16:16Her heel slammed into my hand once more,
16:18and I couldn't hold back a cry.
16:20I'm right here waiting.
16:22I'll break her hands first and let you hear it,
16:24and when you get here, I'll break yours too.
16:27She hung up and slammed my phone to the floor.
16:30It shattered into pieces.
16:32Then, she ordered the men around us to beat me.
16:35Five minutes passed.
16:36It wasn't long on a clock, but it felt like half a lifetime.
16:39At last, a familiar armored black sedan
16:41rolled to a stop outside the auction hall.
16:44The air itself seemed to tighten.
16:45My father stepped out of the car,
16:47his black coat still carrying the faint scent of gunpowder and blood.
16:54His eyes were cold with fury as he pushed the main doors open.
16:57His voice cut through the hall like a blade.
16:59Who dares to threaten
17:01to break my hands
17:03and my daughters?
17:05When my father stepped into the doorway,
17:07the air in the auction halls seemed to freeze.
17:10His sharp gaze swept the room once,
17:12then stopped on me.
17:12I was still being held down.
17:14Sophia still had no idea danger had just walked in.
17:17She even let out a dismissive laugh
17:19and stepped forward in her stilettos.
17:21So, you're this slut's father.
17:23Perfect.
17:24Your daughter snatched my ring and slapped me.
17:27You two had better apologize right now,
17:29or the Marino family won't let either of you walk out of here.
17:32The crowd rippled with whispers.
17:34A few guests edged toward my father,
17:36their voices low and nervous.
17:38Sir, you should back down.
17:40Miss Lopez is Mr. Marino's favorite god sister.
17:43In Norham City,
17:45no one dares cross the Marino family.
17:48For you RS safety and your daughters,
17:50just admit fault.
17:52There's no shaming.
17:55My father didn't spare any of them a glance.
17:58He simply lifted his hand.
18:00The two men behind him moved at once,
18:02striding over to me.
18:03They kicked aside the bodyguards holding my shoulders
18:06and pulled me gently to my feet.
18:07I staggered into my father's arms.
18:09He caught me,
18:10pulling me close as he soothed me
18:12with a gentle hand on my back.
18:14Does it hurt my little princess?
18:16His voice sounded calm,
18:17but anyone who knew him
18:18could hear the storm gathering beneath it.
18:20I nodded,
18:21and tears slipped down my cheeks.
18:23They wanted to rip out my nails too, Papa.
18:25His eyes grew even colder.
18:27He turned to Sophia and Luca,
18:29his voice edged with undeniable authority.
18:31In my whole life,
18:33almost nothing has ever made me apologize.
18:36Sophia flinched under his stare,
18:37then quickly latched onto Luca's arm
18:39and tried to look composed.
18:41Luca, look at them.
18:42They really don't know their place.
18:45Luca finally spoke,
18:46his tone icy.
18:47Sir,
18:48you'd better do as Sophia says.
18:50In Norum City,
18:51going against my family is unwise.
18:55My father let out a mocking laugh.
18:57Your family,
18:59which one would that be?
19:01The Madrine family?
19:03The Marniff family?
19:05He waved a hand dismissively.
19:07I don't bother remembering small families.
19:10Even if your father,
19:12Antonio,
19:13were standing in front of me,
19:15he wouldn't dare to speak to me like that.
19:17Luca's expression shifted in an instant.
19:19He said in a low voice,
19:21anger seeping through.
19:22Sir,
19:23even if you know my father,
19:25isn't that a bit too arrogant?
19:27My father didn't even look at Luca.
19:29He took out his phone,
19:31dialed a number,
19:32and raised it to his ear.
19:33The call connected almost immediately.
19:36Antonio,
19:37your son just asked me
19:39if I was being too arrogant.
19:41There was a few seconds of silence on the other end.
19:44Then Antonio's voice came through,
19:46trembling noticeably.
19:48Don Borgia,
19:49Luca,
19:49he doesn't know what you're talking about.
19:54He doesn't know.
19:55Father repeated,
19:56a cold smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.
19:59There are so many things he doesn't know.
20:01For example,
20:02who dragged the Marino family
20:04out of the ruins of Corvola 20 years ago.
20:07Or how his father knelt in front of me back then,
20:09with snot and tears all over his face,
20:12begging me to take him in.
20:14Luca's face turned deathly pale in an instant.
20:16Father hadn't put the call on speaker,
20:18but the hall was deathly quiet,
20:20so Antonio's voice still came through intermittently.
20:23Don Borgia,
20:24I beg you,
20:25Luca is still a child.
20:26He doesn't understand.
20:28A child.
20:29Father cut him off.
20:29When your son ordered his men to gang up and beat my daughter,
20:33he wasn't acting like a child.
20:36Another heavy silence.
20:37Then Antonio's voice became even lower,
20:40almost a whisper.
20:41I,
20:41I will come and apologize in person tomorrow.
20:44Whatever conditions you want,
20:46I'll agree to all of them.
20:47Father didn't answer.
20:48He hung up the phone directly.
20:50He put the phone back in his pocket,
20:52then finally looked at Luca again.
20:54Did you hear that?
20:55Your father didn't even dare to ask what happened.
20:58He only knows one thing.
21:00He has offended someone he shouldn't have.
21:02Luca's lips were trembling,
21:04but he still gritted his teeth and said,
21:06You,
21:06you're bluffing me.
21:07You faked that call.
21:09Before he could finish,
21:11Luca's phone rang.
21:12He looked down at the screen,
21:14and his pupils shrank violently.
21:16Caller ID.
21:17Father.
21:18Luca's finger hovered over the answer button,
21:20refusing to press it for a long time.
21:22My father glanced at him and said indifferently,
21:25Answer it.
21:26Listen to what your father has to say.
21:29Gritting his teeth,
21:29Luca finally pressed the answer button.
21:32Antonio's voice exploded from the receiver,
21:34loud enough for everyone within three meters to hear.
21:37You animal!
21:37Do you even know what you've done?
21:39If Miss Morgia loses even a single hair,
21:41I'll pretend I never gave birth to a son like you!
21:44Luca's face went from white to ashen gray.
21:47He opened his mouth,
21:48but not a single word came out.
21:53My father set the tip of his cane
21:55against the marble floor.
21:57The tap rang clear in the hush of the hall
21:59as he stepped forward.
22:00His eyes fixed on Luca,
22:02like a hawk sighting prey.
22:03Arrogant.
22:04He scoffed coldly.
22:06One of my daughter's fingers is worth more
22:08than the head on your shoulders.
22:11And you dared to touch her!
22:13He paused,
22:14then spoke each word
22:15as if he were nailing it into the floor.
22:17My daughter has never accepted a rose
22:19that still had its thorns.
22:21Anyone who dares hurt her,
22:23I'll make them pay for that a hundred times over.
22:26Almost on the last word,
22:28the main doors of the auction hall slammed open.
22:32A line of men in black suits filed in,
22:35their movements clean and coordinated.
22:37In just a few minutes,
22:38every bodyguard Luca had brought
22:40was disarmed and pinned to the floor,
22:42their arms locked behind their backs.
22:44Everything turned around in an instant.
22:46Two men stepped up behind Luca and Sophia,
22:48grabbed their shoulders,
22:49and forced them down to their knees
22:51in front of my father.
22:52Sophia tried to twist away,
22:54panic wiping the arrogance from her face.
22:56Her makeup had streaked down her cheeks,
22:58and she turned to Luca in desperation.
23:00Luca, help me!
23:02Luca tried to wrench free,
23:03veins throbbing at his temples.
23:05Let me go!
23:07I swear,
23:09you don't know the price you're about to pay.
23:11My father looked down at Luca and Sophia
23:13like they were nothing more than insects
23:15crawling on the floor.
23:17Pay the price.
23:18His voice stayed eerily calm,
23:20making the hall feel even colder.
23:22When you ordered my daughter beaten,
23:24did you ever stop to think about the price you'd pay?
23:28Then he turned to me,
23:29and that killing frost in his eyes softened.
23:32Isa,
23:33how do you want to deal with you?
23:35I walked toward Sophia.
23:36The ache in my fingers turned every step heavy,
23:39but the anger burning in my chest kept me moving.
23:42I fisted a hand in her perfectly styled hair
23:44and yanked her head up so that she had to look at me.
23:47Whatever you did to me,
23:49I will return to you!
23:51I kept slapping her until her cheeks puffed up
23:53and flushed an angry red.
23:55Sophia glared up at me,
23:56eyes burning with hate
23:58and lips smeared with blood.
23:59Even then,
24:00she kept spitting curses.
24:01You bitch!
24:02Just wait!
24:04Luca will make you wish you were dead!
24:07Luca lunged,
24:08trying to get up.
24:09Stop!
24:10I turned and drove my heel into his chest,
24:13sending him right back down.
24:14I had put everything into that kick,
24:16and the impact shot a fierce pain
24:18at my injured fingers.
24:20Clutching his ribs,
24:21Luca sucked in a breath,
24:22but he still tried to threaten us.
24:26The iron door slammed shut behind them
24:29with a deafening bang.
24:30Luca and Sophia were shoved
24:31into a pitch-black basement.
24:33Sophia's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
24:35Her voice shot up,
24:36sharp enough to shatter glass.
24:38What's that sound?
24:40What the hell is that?
24:42Three wolf dogs.
24:43Not very large,
24:44but their ribs were clearly visible.
24:46They hadn't been fed for three days.
24:48The sound of iron chains dragging across the floor
24:51was like the Grim Reaper's scythe.
24:53Luca whispered urgently,
24:55Don't move.
24:56Sophia let out a piercing scream
24:57and staggered backward.
24:59Don't move.
25:00Don't run.
25:02Don't!
25:03Her high heel stepped on something wet and slippery,
25:05and she fell hard to the ground.
25:07All three wolf dogs lunged forward at once.
25:10Luca.
25:11Her voice became tiny,
25:12almost like she was talking to herself.
25:14Are we going to die here?
25:16Luca didn't answer.
25:18His hand fumbled in his pocket for his phone.
25:20The screen lit up for a second,
25:22no signal.
25:23It won't happen,
25:24he said,
25:25but his voice lacked any conviction.
25:27My father will come save us.
25:29Another hour passed.
25:31Footsteps sounded outside the iron door.
25:33Sophia jerked her head up,
25:35hope flashing in her eyes.
25:36A small window on the iron door opened,
25:39and a bowl of water
25:40along with a few pieces of dry bread
25:42were pushed inside.
25:43Sophia scrambled over,
25:45her voice hoarse.
25:46Let us out!
25:48Do you know who I am?
25:50I'm the eldest daughter of the Lopez family!
25:53If you dare!
25:55The small window slammed shut.
25:57The footsteps faded away.
25:59Sophia stood frozen in place,
26:00clutching the bowl of water.
26:02Tears fell pathetically into it,
26:04drop after drop.
26:07Luca had barely slept all night.
26:10He kept staring at those three pairs of green eyes
26:12until his own eyes were dry and burning.
26:15Sophia curled up beside him,
26:17burying her face in his chest.
26:18Her expensive custom dress was torn in several places,
26:21and her nails were caked with dirt.
26:24She suddenly spoke,
26:25her voice raspy.
26:26Luca, is your phone still working?
26:28No signal.
26:29I don't want to make a call.
26:31Sophia lifted her head.
26:32There was a strange gleam in her eyes
26:34that he had never seen before.
26:36Let's take a selfie.
26:37When we get out,
26:38I'm going to post it everywhere,
26:40and let everyone know
26:41what that Borgia bitch did to us.
26:43Luca was stunned for a second,
26:45then laughed.
26:45It wasn't a happy laugh,
26:47it was a laugh of utter absurdity.
26:49You're thinking about taking photos
26:50at a time like this?
26:51I'm not willing to accept this.
26:53Sophia's voice suddenly rose.
26:55I've never suffered like this in my entire life!
26:57Who does she think she is?
26:59Just some wild bastard
27:01who appeared out of nowhere!
27:02A low growl suddenly came from the wolf dogs.
27:05Sophia's voice cut off abruptly.
27:07Three pairs of green eyes
27:08locked onto her at the same time.
27:10She slowly shrank back into Luca's arms
27:13and stopped talking.
27:15The bread was gone.
27:17The water was gone.
27:19The wolf dogs began pacing restlessly,
27:21their chains scraping loudly against the floor.
27:24Sophia leaned against the wall,
27:25her lips cracked,
27:26her hair a complete mess.
27:28Her eyes were unfocused,
27:29like a phone that had run out of battery.
27:31Her voice was as light as a wisp of smoke.
27:34Luca, do you think
27:36your father will really come to save us?
27:39Luca remained silent for a long time.
27:41He will.
27:43He's my father.
27:44He didn't say it out loud,
27:45but he was starting to feel afraid.
27:48Not of the wolf dogs,
27:50but of a deeper fear.
27:51What if his father had already given up on him?
27:53Finally, footsteps sounded outside the iron door again.
27:57This time there was more than one person.
27:59The iron door was opened.
28:00Blinding light flooded in.
28:02Both Sophia and Luca
28:03instinctively raised their hands
28:05to shield their eyes.
28:06The wolf dogs were led away.
28:08Several men in black suits
28:09walked in expressionlessly
28:11and dragged them up.
28:13Sophia's legs had gone completely limp.
28:15She was supported by two men
28:16as they dragged her out.
28:18Luca staggered,
28:19barely able to stand,
28:20his legs also trembling.
28:22The moment they stepped out of the basement,
28:24fresh air rushed toward them.
28:26Sophia gasped greedily,
28:27like a drowning person
28:29finally pulled ashore.
28:30I won't let this go.
28:31She whispered hoarsely,
28:33Borgia.
28:34Just you wait.
28:35Luca didn't speak.
28:37He stared straight ahead,
28:38his face ashen.
28:40What he was thinking was something else
28:41in these three days.
28:43His father hadn't made even a single phone call.
28:47I woke to the sting of antiseptic.
28:49The first thing I saw was my father's face above me,
28:52drawn tight with worry.
28:54My right hand was wrapped in thick bandages.
28:56A dull pain throbbed through each finger.
28:59Your fingers are saved.
29:00My father said,
29:01brushing the hair away from my forehead.
29:03But they'll need time to heal.
29:04Just then the door eased open.
29:06Antonio stood at the threshold.
29:08The man who usually dominated headlines
29:10as an untouchable mafia,
29:12he said hoarsely.
29:13Don Borgia,
29:14my son was reckless.
29:16He offended Mrs. Borgia.
29:18My father looked at him coldly and said nothing.
29:21Antonio turned to me instead and bowed deeply.
29:23Mrs. Borgia,
29:24Luca was ignorant.
29:25He had no idea who you were.
29:27Everything our family has today
29:28came from Don Borgia's support years ago.
29:30This engagement was us reaching far of our station.
29:32We won't mention it again.
29:33I only beg you to spare his life.
29:35I looked at Antonio,
29:36who seemed to have aged overnight
29:38and felt nothing at all.
29:40Fine.
29:41I said my voice weak but clear.
29:43I'll give you a choice.
29:44You can keep your son
29:47or you can keep your entire family.
29:51His body visibly swayed.
29:53His lips trembled
29:54and pain flickered across his eyes
29:56as he fought with himself.
29:57After a long silence,
29:59he lowered his head.
30:00I'll accept whatever you decide.
30:02This was how our world worked.
30:03In the mafia world,
30:05family interests always sat higher
30:07than a single individual.
30:09I'm not asking for his life.
30:10I said,
30:11turning my gaze toward the window.
30:13But I have one condition.
30:14At the five families gathering,
30:16he has to apologize to me
30:18in front of everyone.
30:19Antonio let out a long sigh of relief.
30:22Of course.
30:23I'll make sure Luca apologizes sincerely,
30:25Mrs. Borgia.
30:26He left with shaky steps,
30:28his back slumped in defeat.
30:30The day of the five families gathering
30:32finally arrived.
30:33It was held at the same auction house.
30:36The moment my father and I
30:37walked into the hall,
30:38every gaze in the room swung toward us.
30:43I wore a deep red gown
30:45that brushed the floor with every step.
30:47A matching velvet glove
30:48covered my injured right hand,
30:50an elegant mask for the damage
30:52that still hadn't fully healed.
30:54Antonio hurried over to greet us,
30:56his face pale and strained with nerves.
30:58Don Borgia.
31:00Miss Borgia.
31:02Thank you for gracing us
31:03with your presence tonight.
31:04I gave him a small, polite nod
31:06and slowly scanned the crowded hall.
31:08All eyes were already on us.
31:10Father's voice was low and commanding.
31:12Bring them up.
31:13Several bodyguards wheeled a heavy iron cage
31:16into the center of the room,
31:18right under the bright spotlight.
31:20The moment the cage came into view,
31:22a wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd.
31:25Inside, Luca and Sophia were huddled together
31:27like trapped animals.
31:29Their clothes were torn and filthy.
31:32Sophia's once glorious gold gown hung in ragged strips,
31:36while Luca's expensive suit was covered in dirt
31:38and dried blood.
31:40Bruises and cuts marred their faces and arms.
31:43Whatever they had endured these past few days,
31:45it had clearly been hell.
31:47The bodyguards unlocked the cage
31:49and dragged them out roughly,
31:50showing no mercy.
31:52Sophia's legs gave out instantly.
31:54She collapsed to her knees,
31:55staring at me with wide, terrified eyes.
31:58Isa!
32:00Please!
32:03We were wrong!
32:04I was wrong!
32:06Just let us go!
32:07Luca lifted his head.
32:10Miss Borg,
32:11I beg you,
32:13have mercy.
32:14My family will compensate you however you want.
32:17Just don't do this in public.
32:19I looked down at them coldly,
32:21my injured hand resting lightly on my father's arm.
32:24Public?
32:25You humiliated me in public first.
32:28Did you show me any mercy then?
32:30I took one slow step forward,
32:32my voice clear enough for the entire hall to hear.
32:34You wanted to break me.
32:36Now the whole of Norum gets to watch
32:39as I break you.
32:44Luca staggered, swaying on his feet.
32:46His eyes darted wildly over the crowd
32:48until they locked on Antonio.
32:50Dad!
32:51He shouted hoarsely,
32:53his voice cracking with despair.
32:55You have to help me.
32:57They don't respect the Marino family at all.
33:00He jabbed a shaking finger at my father and me,
33:03his eyes burning with hatred.
33:04Antonia's face went white.
33:06He strode forward and in front of everyone
33:09slapped Luca so hard
33:10that the sound cracked across the hall.
33:13You ungrateful brat.
33:15Get on your knees
33:16and apologize to Mrs. Borja.
33:19Now.
33:20Sophia jerked her head up,
33:22her voice sharp with outrage.
33:24Don Marino,
33:25you must be joking.
33:27You want Luca to apologize to those two noblies?
33:30Shut your mouth!
33:32Antonio snapped,
33:33turning on her with a glare sharp enough to scourge.
33:36This all started because of you.
33:38If not for you,
33:40Luca would never have offended Don Borja.
33:43And Miss Borja!
33:44Luca stared at Antonio
33:46as if he didn't recognize him.
33:50Antonio,
33:51you still haven't told them the truth,
33:53Don of the Corfioni family.
33:55Mr. Rossif Borgia is the most powerful Don in Corvina.
33:58Years ago,
33:59when the five families rebuild our power here in Norham City,
34:02it was only possible because he backed us and shielded us.
34:06Vito said slowly,
34:07his voice carrying clearly through the silent hall.
34:10If he so much as lifts a finger,
34:12he can erase an entire family from Norham City overnight.
34:15Luca snapped his head toward Antonio,
34:18his eyes filled with frantic desperation for an answer.
34:21Antonio pressed his lips into a tight line
34:23and gave a stiff, reluctant nod.
34:25That can't be true.
34:28Luca said, stumbling back a step.
34:30If it is,
34:31why have I never heard about it before?
34:33Vito let out a humorless laugh.
34:35That secret is known only to the heads of the families.
34:38You haven't even officially taken over yet.
34:40What makes you think
34:42you had the right to hear it before this incident?
34:45As soon as Vito finished speaking,
34:48the entire hall fell into silence.
34:50I was about to speak when my phone vibrated inside my bag.
34:53It was an encrypted message.
34:55The sender field showed an internal code from the Corleone family.
34:59Miss Borgia,
35:00tomorrow night at the Norham Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala,
35:03the Lopez family's collateral branch
35:05and Elena Lopez will both be attending.
35:08If you wish,
35:09you may collect some interest there first.
35:10I turned the phone screen toward my father.
35:13He glanced at it
35:14and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
35:17Elena Lopez,
35:18father murmured the name,
35:19Sofia's mother.
35:21She's been pulling strings behind the scenes quite a bit.
35:24I know.
35:25I said,
35:26putting the phone away.
35:27The golden custom gown Sofia wore at the auction
35:29was ordered by Elena from Milan a month in advance.
35:33Mother and daughter,
35:34one plays the good cop,
35:35one plays the bad.
35:37They've been running rampants in Norham for years.
35:39Father looked at me without saying a word,
35:41but his eyes were clear.
35:42It's your decision.
35:44I'll go.
35:46But only after we settle matters here first.
35:50The evening after the five great families meeting ended
35:53at the Imperial Banquet Hall,
35:55the crystal chandeliers lit up the entire hall
35:57as brightly as daylight.
35:59Not only were the collateral representatives
36:00of the five great families present,
36:03but also dozens of heads of mid-tier families.
36:06They usually couldn't even get close
36:08to the core meetings of the five families,
36:10but tonight everyone wanted to fish for benefits
36:13amid the toasts and deals.
36:14I wore a dark wine-red velvet gown.
36:17The long sleeves concealed the bandages on my right hand.
36:20On my left ear,
36:21I wore a single pigeon-blood ruby earring
36:23gifted by my father, only one.
36:25This was an old Borgia family tradition.
36:28When a daughter has been provoked
36:30but has not yet fully avenged herself,
36:32she wears only a single earring.
36:35The moment I stepped into the hall,
36:37I felt countless gazes stabbing into me like needles.
36:39Is that the Borgia family's eldest daughter?
36:43I heard the Marino family heir
36:45was expelled because of her.
36:47Shh!
36:49Lower your voice.
36:51The Lopez family people are here tonight too.
36:54I walked straight ahead without looking sideways
36:56and headed directly for the main table.
36:58Seven people were already seated at the main table.
37:01The center seat was empty.
37:03Beside it sat a middle-aged woman
37:04in a deep purple gown, Elena Lopez.
37:07She looked 70% like Sophia,
37:10but more cunning and gloomier.
37:11She was twirling a glass of red wine in her hand.
37:14When she saw me approaching,
37:15she didn't even bother to stand up.
37:17She drawled, looking me up and down.
37:20So you're the little bitch
37:22who got my daughter kicked out of Northam.
37:26The entire table fell silent.
37:28I didn't sit down.
37:29Instead, I looked down at her from above.
37:32Your daughter brought it upon herself.
37:34I simply didn't stop her.
37:36Elena's face instantly flushed red.
37:38She shot to her feet
37:40and slammed her wine glass onto the table,
37:42splashing wine everywhere.
37:43Don't get cocky!
37:45Borgia!
37:45I don't care who you are.
37:48In Norak,
37:49the Lopez family has the Marino family behind us.
37:52Well, not anymore.
37:54But mark my words,
37:56whatever my daughter lost,
37:57I will take back tenfold for her.
38:00She deliberately raised her voice
38:01so that the surrounding tables could hear.
38:03Several merchants who did business
38:05with the Lopez family
38:06immediately chimed in.
38:07Exactly.
38:09Some outsider family.
38:11What right do they have to sit at the main table?
38:14Even if the Marinos aren't pursuing this,
38:16it doesn't mean Mrs. Lopez is easy to bully.
38:18Little girl,
38:19apologize while things haven't blown up yet.
38:22I smiled slowly.
38:24Apologize.
38:25I repeated,
38:26then glanced at the two bodyguards
38:27standing behind Elena.
38:29When your daughter crushed my fingers under her heel,
38:33did she ever apologize?
38:34Elena's lips twitched,
38:36but she quickly regained her vicious expression.
38:38You deserved it.
38:40Seduxing someone else's fiancé,
38:42crushing your fingers was going easy on you.
38:45I didn't argue with her.
38:46I simply took out my phone from my handbag,
38:49played a recording,
38:50and turned the volume to maximum.
38:53Antonio's voice rang out clearly in the quiet howl.
38:56My son was too reckless.
38:58This marriage was us reaching above our station.
39:01I only beg you to spare his life.
39:05The recording ended.
39:06The hall was deathly silent.
39:09Elena's hands began to tremble.
39:10Merchants beside her quietly shifted their chairs half a step back.
39:14It's fake!
39:15You forged it!
39:17I put away my phone and looked down at her,
39:19my voice calm but loud enough for the first three rows to hear clearly.
39:23Mrs. Lopez,
39:24your daughter once said something at the auction.
39:26In here,
39:27I make the rules.
39:28I raised my bandaged right hand and gently tapped above the wrappings.
39:32Now,
39:33I'd like to return the favor with a message of my own.
39:36Your daughter,
39:37and the Merino family,
39:38in front of me,
39:39they don't even qualify as rules.
39:42Elena's face went from red to white,
39:44then to a sickly green.
39:45She suddenly grabbed the wine glass in front of her and hurled its contents at me.
39:48Red wine flew straight toward my face.
39:50I didn't dodge.
39:52The wine slashed across my face,
39:53hair and wine red gown almost blending in.
39:55Only a few drops slid down my chin and fell onto the marble floor.
40:00The entire hall gasped.
40:02Elena stood holding the empty glass,
40:05chest heaving violently,
40:06her eyes filled with mad triumph.
40:09You whore!
40:11That's what you get for being arrogant!
40:14I slowly raised my hand and wiped the wine from my face.
40:18Then I smiled.
40:19Mrs. Lopez,
40:21do you know what you just did?
40:22I took one step forward.
40:24My voice wasn't loud,
40:25but it pierced every ear like a nail.
40:27You just attacked the sole heir of the Borga family,
40:30in front of more than 30 family representatives.
40:33Everything that happened tonight,
40:35I will report it to my father in full detail.
40:38Elena's wine glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.
40:44You, you're laughing.
40:45I didn't answer her.
40:47I turned around to face the entire banquet hall,
40:49my voice clear and calm.
40:51From tonight onward,
40:52any family that does business with the Lopez family
40:55will automatically be considered unfriendly to the Borga family.
40:59Gasps rippled across the hall.
41:01Elena's face turned completely white.
41:05You wouldn't dare!
41:07She screamed,
41:08but her voice had already lost all confidence.
41:11I gave her one last look,
41:13then turned and walked toward the exit.
41:15Behind me came Elena's hysterical shriek.
41:17Stop that bitch!
41:19But no one moved.
41:21The allies,
41:21she thought she had all lowered their heads like frostbitten eggplants.
41:25As I walked out the main door,
41:27Vito Corleone was already standing by the entrance.
41:30He held a glass of whiskey
41:31and gave me a slight nod.
41:33Miss Borgia,
41:35you're even more ruthless than your father was at your age.
41:38Vito paused,
41:39his lips curving into a soft, genuine smile as he looked at her.
41:42And I'm liking you more and more,
41:45my lovely lady.
41:46I glanced sideways at him.
41:48Don Corleone,
41:49did you already know this would happen tonight?
41:52He smiled without answering,
41:54simply raising his glass.
41:56Welcome to the real Norton.
41:57I didn't clink glasses with him.
41:59I walked straight to the elevator.
42:02The moment the elevator doors closed,
42:04I let out a soft breath.
42:05My right hand hurt badly,
42:07but my heart felt incredibly satisfied.
42:10I walked forward slowly,
42:13the fingers beneath my velvet glove still throbbing with a dull ache.
42:16I've changed my mind.
42:17After what I just heard from Luca,
42:19I'm very disappointed.
42:21He doesn't look guilty at all.
42:24Antonio,
42:24is this the apology the Marino family is giving me?
42:27Every pair of eyes turned to Antonio.
42:30The man who usually ruled the room now looked pale.
42:33He drew in a deep breath,
42:34and at that moment,
42:35he seemed to age a decade.
42:37From this moment on,
42:39Luca is no longer my son.
42:41He is no longer heir to the Marino family.
42:43He is officially stripped of his name
42:45and cut off from all family assets.
42:49Dad,
42:50you can't do this to me.
42:51I'm your son.
42:52Luca shouted,
42:53his eyes full of despair and disbelief.
42:55No!
42:56That's impossible!
42:58How could she have that kind of power?
43:00Why didn't anyone tell us earlier?
43:02This has to be fake!
43:04You're all being fooled!
43:06Sophia's shriek cut through the hall like broken glass.
43:10One of Vito's men stepped out of the crowd
43:12and slapped her across the face several times
43:14until she finally shut up.
43:16That's enough!
43:17Luca suddenly snarled.
43:18He wrenched himself free from the men restraining him,
43:21and threw himself in front of Sophia.
43:23This has nothing to do with Sophia.
43:25I was a blind fool.
43:27I'm the one who offended Ms. Borjan.
43:30This is my fault.
43:32If you want revenge,
43:34take it out on me.
43:36And let Sophia go.
43:38Sophia leaned against his chest,
43:39her eyes glistening with tears.
43:42Luca,
43:42I knew you were the only one who really cared about me.
43:46The scene was almost touching in a tragic, ridiculous way.
43:49I couldn't help but lift my hands and give them a soft, slow clap.
43:53How touching.
43:54Since you're so devoted to each other,
43:57I'll let you go.
43:58Under everyone's stunned gaze, I went on.
44:00You can leave with her now.
44:02In the name of the Borja family,
44:04I give you my word.
44:06No one will stop you.
44:09Luca stared at me in disbelief,
44:11while a spark of hope lit Sophia's eyes.
44:13From this moment on,
44:15you have no connection to the Marino family.
44:17You walk away with nothing.
44:19Luca clenched his jaw,
44:20then bent to help Sophia steady herself.
44:22We're leaving.
44:24Everyone watched them limp out of the hall
44:25while leaning on each other.
44:27My father asked in a low voice.
44:29Are you really gonna let them walk away like that?
44:31I smiled.
44:32You'll see soon enough.
44:34Three months later,
44:35a headline shook the entire upper circle of Norham City.
44:38Former Marino heir, Luca Marino,
44:40killed his girlfriend, Sophia Lopez,
44:41in a run-down motel,
44:43then tried to take his own life.
44:44He was now in police custody.
44:46Word had it that after losing his status,
44:49Luca was penniless,
44:50and took Sophia to live with him
44:52in a shabby motel on the edge of the slums.
44:56Having grown up pampered and overindulged,
44:59neither of them could tolerate
45:00the hardships of an ordinary life.
45:02Sophia complained every day.
45:04She called Luca useless,
45:06and blamed him for dragging her
45:07from the clouds into the mud.
45:09She could no longer afford designer clothes
45:11or fancy goods.
45:12Even a proper dinner had become a luxury.
45:15Three days before the murder,
45:17someone had spotted Sophia in an upscale restaurant,
45:19linking arms with a middle-aged businessman.
45:22After that,
45:23she stopped going back to the motel at night.
45:25When she did show up,
45:27her attitude toward Luca was cold.
45:28On the night of the incident,
45:30neighbors heard them shouting through the thin walls.
45:33You think you're still the heir of the Marino family?
45:36You can't even buy me a new lipstick!
45:38I gave up everything for you!
45:40Luca roared back.
45:41If I'd known you were so useless,
45:43I never would have left with you!
45:46Then came the sound of things being smashed.
45:48After that was an eerie, heavy silence.
45:51The next morning,
45:52the cleaning staff opened the door
45:54and almost fainted.
45:55Sophia was lying in a pool of blood,
45:57having been stabbed over and over.
46:00Luca was on the floor beside her
46:01with his wrists slashed,
46:02barely alive.
46:03I heard the news while I was at home,
46:05sitting at my piano.
46:07Although my fingers hadn't fully healed,
46:09I could already play a few simple pieces.
46:12Just then,
46:13my father walked in
46:14and placed a folded newspaper on the piano.
46:16You saw this coming,
46:19didn't you?
46:20I took my hands off the piano
46:21and glanced at the newspaper's front page.
46:24It showed Luca being shoved into a police car.
46:27Sophia never loved Luca.
46:29What she loved was his status and his money.
46:32Once he lost those,
46:33her betrayal was just a matter of time.
46:36As for Luca,
46:37I went on,
46:38letting my fingers drift lightly over the keys.
46:41He was born into wealth.
46:43He was never going to survive losing everything.
46:47Especially after the woman he loved cheated on him.
46:51My father studied me for a long moment.
46:54You gave them the cruelest punishment.
46:56I shook my head.
46:57No,
46:58they chose their punishment.
47:00I just handed them the knife.
47:02Sunlight poured through the windows,
47:04warm and bright.
47:05Their tragedy had no effect on me.
47:07In our world,
47:08the strong preyed on the weak.
47:10Mercy toward an enemy only ever led to destruction.
47:13Luca and Sophia's ending only proved that truth once again.
47:16They were nothing more than stepping stones on my way to the top seat in Corvina's mafia world.
47:22The sunlight was beautiful,
47:24but my hand still throbbed with dull pain.
47:27The doctor said the nerves had been damaged.
47:29Even after recovery,
47:31it would never be as flexible as before.
47:33I might never be able to play those difficult pieces again.
47:36I sat in front of the piano,
47:38placed my right hand on the keys,
47:40and gently pressed a single note.
47:42A clean, lonely sound rang out.
47:44The door was pushed open.
47:46Father walked in.
47:47He was wearing a deep gray suit.
47:48His tie knotted perfectly.
47:50Sophia's funeral is at two o'clock this afternoon.
47:53Are you going?
47:54I thought for a long time so long
47:56that father thought I wouldn't answer.
47:58Yes.
47:59Father nodded,
48:00turned to leave,
48:01then stopped.
48:02Isa,
48:03this isn't your fault.
48:04I didn't speak.
48:05Only after he walked out did I whisper to the empty room.
48:08I know.
48:09But what I knew wasn't just that.
48:11I knew Sophia would die.
48:13From the moment she crushed my fingers under her heel,
48:15from the moment she answered my father's call,
48:18she was already dead.
48:19I simply didn't stop it.
48:21I didn't stop it because I didn't want to.
48:24This thought was like a thorn lodged in a corner of my heart.
48:27It didn't hurt,
48:28but it was always there.
48:31The church was small,
48:32so small that even from the last row,
48:34you could clearly see the white flowers on the coffin.
48:37Not many people came.
48:39Sophia's parents sat in the front row.
48:41Her mother was crying so hard she couldn't sit straight,
48:44while her father sat rigidly like a stone statue.
48:47Luca didn't come.
48:48He was in the hospital with more than a dozen stitches on his wrist,
48:51under police guard.
48:52They said he wasn't in danger of dying,
48:54but his mental state was very poor.
48:56I stood at the very back,
48:59leaning against the wall.
49:00Father didn't come inside.
49:01He waited for me in the car.
49:03While the priest was reading the eulogy,
49:05Sophia's mother suddenly stood up and staggered toward me.
49:09Everyone was watching.
49:10She stopped in front of me.
49:12Her tears had ruined her makeup,
49:14leaving streaks down her face.
49:16Are you satisfied now?
49:18Her voice was hoarse,
49:19like sandpaper scraping glass.
49:21I said nothing.
49:23My daughter is dead,
49:25and you still come to her funeral.
49:27She grabbed the sleeve of my coat,
49:29nails digging into the fabric.
49:30Are you here to watch the show?
49:33Her husband rushed over and pulled her away from me.
49:36He glanced at me.
49:36That look contained hatred,
49:38fear,
49:39and deep exhaustion.
49:41I'm sorry.
49:42She didn't mean it.
49:43I nodded,
49:44then turned and walked out of the church.
49:45The sunlight was blinding.
49:47I stood at the entrance for a while,
49:49taking a deep breath.
49:50Father got out of the car and stood beside me.
49:53Let's go.
49:54I got into the car,
49:55leaned back in the seat,
49:56and closed my eyes.
49:57Outside the window,
49:58the church bells rang twice.
50:00Two o'clock and one minute.
50:02Sophia Lopez,
50:0322 years old.
50:04A short life,
50:05an ugly death.
50:06I silently recited these words in my heart,
50:08then opened my eyes.
50:10There was still a long road ahead.
50:13Three months later,
50:14Luca's case went to trial.
50:16I didn't go.
50:18Father sent a lawyer to observe,
50:20who came back and reported the result.
50:23Luca Marino was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter.
50:26The wound on his wrist left a permanent scar.
50:29The psychological evaluation stated he had severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
50:35The lawyer said Luca didn't speak a single word throughout the entire trial.
50:41When the judge asked if he pleaded guilty,
50:43he simply nodded.
50:44The lawyer also said that Antonio Marino sat in the gallery,
50:48his hair completely white.
50:51When the sentence was announced,
50:53he didn't cry.
50:54He just closed his eyes and didn't open them for a long time.
51:00Later, at a gathering,
51:01Vito Corleone told me,
51:03Antonio is finished.
51:06He saved his son's life,
51:08but the Marino family is done for.
51:10I held my wine glass and said nothing.
51:12You know,
51:13in Luca's first week in prison,
51:15someone asked if he wanted to see a lawyer.
51:17He said no.
51:19Someone asked if he wanted to see his father.
51:21He stayed silent.
51:23Finally,
51:24the person asked,
51:25who do you want to see?
51:27He said he wanted to see you.
51:29My hand froze.
51:30He found out you stay at the manor every day
51:33and wanted to ask if you could visit him.
51:36Vito looked at me.
51:37You won't go,
51:38right?
51:39I put down the wine glass and stood up.
51:42No.
51:44Some people once missed are missed forever.
51:50Half a year later,
51:51my fingers had recovered most of their function.
51:54The doctor called it a miracle,
51:56saying my recovery speed far exceeded his expectations.
51:59I knew it wasn't a miracle.
52:01For the past six months,
52:03I had done three hours of rehabilitation training every day.
52:07Even when the pain made me sweat,
52:09I didn't stop.
52:10Father would sit beside me,
52:12saying nothing,
52:13only handing me a towel.
52:14Can you play the piano yet?
52:16I tried.
52:20I placed my right hand on the keys
52:22and ran through a scale.
52:24It was slow and clumsy,
52:25but every note came out.
52:27Soon.
52:27Father didn't smile,
52:29but his eyes brightened.
52:30That night I sat alone in the piano room
52:32and played a very simple piece,
52:34Debussy's Clair de Lune.
52:35My left hand carried the main melody,
52:38while my right hand only added a few occasional notes.
52:41I closed my eyes and imagined myself standing on stage,
52:45spotlights shining on my face,
52:47the audience packed below.
52:49That feeling was still there.
52:51The desire to stand at the very top was still there.
52:54Sophia was dead.
52:56Luca was in prison.
52:58The Marino family had fallen.
53:00But they were not my destination.
53:02They were just stones on the road.
53:04I stepped over them,
53:05got a little mud on my shoes,
53:07and wiped it off.
53:11One year later,
53:12the power structure in Norum had completely changed.
53:15The Marino family had been squeezed out of the five great families.
53:19The Corleone family had taken the top seat.
53:23And I, Issa Borgia,
53:25was no longer just Don Borgia's daughter.
53:28I began taking over the family's businesses.
53:31Not all at once,
53:33but gradually father handed them to me piece by piece.
53:36First a few small casinos.
53:39Then a port.
53:41Then control of the entire northern district of Corvina.
53:45Every time he transferred power,
53:47father stood behind me without speaking,
53:49but always present.
53:51Once, when Vito was drunk,
53:53he put his arm around my shoulder
53:55and said to the whole table,
53:57This little girl is even more ruthless than her father.
54:02I smiled and removed his hand from my shoulder.
54:05It wasn't because I was ruthless.
54:08It was because I had no way back.
54:10I was the only daughter of the Borgia family.
54:14This entire empire would eventually be mine.
54:18The power structure in Norum had finally settled,
54:21and life seemed to have returned to a certain calm.
54:24Every week, I would spend three afternoons in the piano room.
54:27Sunlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows,
54:30illuminating the black and white keys,
54:32and my right hand, the hand that had nearly been destroyed.
54:36Footsteps stopped at the doorway.
54:37I didn't turn around, but my fingers paused on the keys for a moment.
54:42Your piano skills are much better than your acting.
54:45His voice came from the doorway, slightly hoarse, carrying a lazy smile.
54:50I turned my head.
54:51Vito stood leaning against the doorframe.
54:54Instead of his usual signature dark suit,
54:56he wore a charcoal gray thin sweater with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms.
55:01He was holding a long, slender black box in his hands.
55:04Don Corione, has no one ever taught you to knock before entering?
55:08Has no one ever taught you not to be so cold toward a guest who came from afar?
55:13He walked in.
55:15His leather shoes stepped lightly, yet heavily on the wooden floor with every step.
55:21Isis, for the past year, I've been looking for the right moment.
55:25He paused, the corner of his mouth lifting in a self-mocking smile.
55:29But I realize that with you, there will never be a right moment.
55:33He opened the black box.
55:35Inside was a necklace.
55:36It was an exact match to my single earring.
55:39Your father told me about this Borga family tradition.
55:42His voice grew lower.
55:43When a daughter has been provoked, but has not yet fully taken revenge,
55:47she wears only one earring.
55:50Once revenge is complete, she wears the other.
55:53I stared at the gemstone, but didn't reach out.
55:56So?
55:57Vito took a deep breath.
55:58In this moment, one of the most powerful men in Norum
56:02looked like someone standing on the edge of a cliff.
56:04So I wanted to ask,
56:06if one day you decide to wear the other earring,
56:09could that spot
56:11be left for me?
56:13Silence.
56:14The only sound in the piano room was the occasional chirping of birds outside the window.
56:19My heartbeat was slow and steady.
56:22Do you know what you're saying?
56:24I know very clearly.
56:26Issa,
56:26I don't need a woman who stands behind me.
56:29And you're not that kind of woman anyway.
56:31The Corcioni family and the Borja family don't need to swallow each other.
56:34But I'm willing,
56:36for a lifetime,
56:38to stand in the place closest to you.
56:40The sunlight outside the window grew brighter,
56:43falling on his face and illuminating details I had never noticed before.
56:47There was a tiny mole at the corner of his eye.
56:49A faint scar on his left eyebrow.
56:52The fingers holding the necklace were long and strong,
56:55yet they were trembling slightly right now.
56:58This man,
56:59who didn't even blink during the Five Great Families Summit,
57:02was trembling.
57:05Suddenly,
57:05I felt the urge to smile.
57:08It's okay.
57:10I told you.
57:11I can wait.
57:13I didn't say I wouldn't accept it.
57:15My fingers still rested on the edge of the box.
57:17But I need to think about it.
57:19How long?
57:21Maybe a year.
57:22Maybe two.
57:24Maybe after I finish thinking,
57:25I'll return this box to you completely untouched.
57:29Then I'll wait.
57:30He turned and walked toward the door.
57:32At the doorway,
57:33he stopped without turning back.
57:35By the way,
57:36what piece were you playing just now?
57:38Debossi's Claire de Lune.
57:40Next time,
57:41if I hear you stop playing this piece again,
57:47consider that your answer.
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