- 5 hours ago
Too Late To Beg New ASM
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Short filmTranscript
00:00His first love to spend three nights with him
00:03Before the wedding my fiance's mother invited his first love to spend three nights with him. It's the Moretti way
00:10Before the wedding my son spends three nights with his past love a gesture of gratitude a proper goodbye
00:16The absurdity hit me like a slap. I turned to Marco. He didn't push back. It's tradition Bella
00:24You want the Moretti name?
00:26You play by Moretti rules. He just leaned back on the couch lit a cigarette and smirked
00:32Besides you waited eight years for this ring. It's three nights. You can handle it. Everyone in that room expected
00:37me to lose it
00:38I just nodded
00:39Fine. I respect the Moretti tradition because one second earlier my phone had buzzed Luca Castellano
00:46Head of the Castellano Empire the oldest and most powerful crime family on the East Coast
00:51Also the man I personally burned eight years ago when I turned down our arranged marriage to be with Marco
00:56Bella say the word
00:57I'll make this disappear three days later on what was supposed to be my wedding night
01:02The groomsmen shoved Marco through the bedroom door. They froze the second they saw the bed
01:07I wasn't alone. I was lying there with a powerful muscular man under everyone's shocked gazes
01:13I lazily wrapped my arm around the man's waist. Oh, I forgot to mention
01:16My family has a tradition too
01:18On the wedding night the bride has a man of her choosing test the bed first
01:22To make sure her groom
01:25Actually measures up
01:26As Marco's mother declared their ridiculous custom before the guests
01:30I said fine without a word of hesitation Marco left me and moved in with Vanessa
01:36Three full days not a single call not a single text the night before the wedding
01:40I tracked him down at the Morelli family's private club in lower Manhattan
01:44Vanessa tucked under his arm the whole bath loud and looped
01:47I pushed the door open every voice in the room cut out at once
01:49What are you doing here?
01:51Am I interrupting the reunion?
01:52Bella don't read into it a lot of the old families do this
01:55A clean goodbye before the wedding is a sign of respect
01:58The boss is 100% yours after tonight
02:00I know like I told you I get it
02:03Damn boss really has her trained
02:04No training involved
02:06She loves me too much to do a damn thing about it
02:08She's mine
02:09She knows it
02:11Seeing I still hadn't moved
02:13Someone got bold
02:14Boss
02:15Last night before the wedding
02:21Let's make it interesting
02:26Go ahead
02:30Start with a deep French kiss Vanessa
02:32Right here, right now
02:36Marco smiled
02:38He grabbed Vanessa by the back of the neck and kissed her
02:44Deep, slow, deliberate, right in front of me
02:47The whole booth erupted
02:49I watched for exactly three seconds
02:52My voice cut through the noise
02:55The wedding is tomorrow Marco, don't be late
02:57I turned and walked out
02:58Behind me, Tony's voice carried over the laughter
03:01Boss, your girl just watched you make out with your ex and didn't even flinch
03:04You know how rare that is?
03:05Lucky bastard doesn't know what he's got
03:07I stopped walking
03:08Of course
03:09She's been with me eight years
03:10And she survived three miscarriages
03:13She can handle a little kiss
03:15The deepest pain of my life
03:17And he just used it as a punchline
03:18The first time we were still in college
03:22Marco was just a runner for the family
03:24A kid right now is a liability, Bella
03:26So I walked into that clinic alone
03:28And made a choice I never recovered from
03:32The second time, he'd just been promoted to Capo
03:35We were in Brooklyn for a meeting when a rival crew hit us
03:38I was two months along
03:40I lost the baby on a hospital hallway floor
03:43The third time was two years ago
03:45Ectopic pregnancy
03:47Internal bleeding
03:48Emergency surgery
03:50They took one of my fallopian tubes
03:55Afterward, Marco knelt at my bedside
03:57And slapped himself across the face
03:59He cried
04:00He swore he'd spend the rest of his life
04:03Making it up to me
04:04Now he's underboss
04:06He's made it
04:07And he's decided that means
04:09I have nowhere else to go
04:11He thinks I can't live without him
04:14He's about to find out how wrong he is
04:16I got home and went straight to bed
04:18Then Marco called
04:20His voice was slow, relaxed
04:21That particular kind of satisfied
04:23That told me everything I needed to know about his night
04:26Were you upset about earlier?
04:27No
04:28You've been so agreeable lately, Bella
04:30It's honestly starting to throw me off
04:32Look, Vanessa flew all the way back from Palermo
04:34Just because she heard I was getting married
04:35Don't read too much into it
04:37She's the past
04:38You're the one I'm marrying
04:39It's a family tradition I have to honor, that's all
04:41Fair enough
04:42You respect your legacy
04:43And I'll respect mine
04:44Tomorrow I hope you're ready to honor the Serrano tradition, too
04:47Of course
04:48What kind of tradition is it?
04:49Marco, last night
04:50Don't get distracted
04:51Tell me, who feels better?
04:52Me or your little fiancé?
04:54Bella, wedding's tomorrow
04:55Be there, be good
04:55I stared at the screen after the call ended
04:57Funny thing about reaching your limit
04:59It doesn't feel like pain anymore
05:00It just feels like nothing
05:02Something inside me went quiet
05:03Not broken
05:04Just done
05:05I turned my phone off
05:07I turned my phone off and went to sleep
05:08The first message on my phone that morning was from Gina
05:11Grainy video
05:12Low light
05:14Two bodies
05:15The caption read
05:16Coming back to the States was worth every minute
05:18Didn't stop all night
05:20Eight years apart and he's still just as addictive as I remember
05:23Vanessa made sure I saw her staking her claim
05:26Vanessa and Marco celebrated too soon
05:29What they didn't know was
05:31I'd already set things in motion
05:34I put my phone away
05:35Got in the car
05:36And drove to my own wedding
05:38Calm, dry-eyed
05:39Like I was running an errand
05:41By the time I sat down in the makeup chair
05:43Gina was already shaking
05:45Madama
05:46What is wrong with him?
05:48This isn't tradition
05:49This is just cheating with extra steps
05:51In front of the whole city?
05:53You cut off your entire family for this man, Bella
05:56You went to war with your father
05:59And Marco stood before God and swore he'd never hurt you
06:03Now he's in bed with that Sicilian bitch the night before your wedding
06:06Does he feel anything at all?
06:09You know the first time it wouldn't make stress to boss if you weren't in a game
06:13Probably not
06:14When Marco and I got together
06:16The Morettas were a second-year family at best
06:20He was nobody
06:21A street-level runner trying to climb
06:23My father said
06:25Bella, you are a Serrano
06:26You do not throw yourself away on a thug with ambition
06:30Luca Castellano, that is the man you married
06:34I told my father no
06:35I walked away from the arranged marriage
06:38Walked away from my family
06:40Walked away from everything they'd built
06:42And Marco
06:43He knelt before an icon of the Virgin Mary
06:46And swore on his life he would never betray me
06:50I've thought about when exactly I lost him
06:52I think it was six months ago
06:54A call from Palermo
06:55Vanessa, freshly out of a relationship, coming home
06:58That was it
06:59That one phone call
07:00Eight years, three losses, every sacrifice I made
07:02And all it took was her voice on a line to pull him back
07:05Bella, please
07:07Tell me you're not actually going through with this
07:09Why are you still marrying him
07:10I looked at her
07:11I reached up and wiped the tear from the corner of her eye
07:14You've known me your whole life
07:16So you already know the answer
07:18In this family, women don't cry
07:20You just make me sure the debt gets paid
07:23Blood for blood
07:2520 minutes before the ceremony
07:27That's when Marco finally showed up
07:29His crew practically applauded
07:31Boss!
07:32Seven rounds last night?
07:34We weren't sure you'd make it out of bed
07:36Almost sent someone in your place
07:37You really don't give me enough credit
07:39Then his eyes found me
07:40For just a second, something crossed his face
07:43Surprise?
07:44Maybe even guilt
07:46Damn, Bella
07:48You almost make me feel guilty
07:49Don't listen to those idiots
07:51Seven rounds?
07:52They're joking
07:53Vanessa had a stomach ache this morning
07:55Things ran a little late, that's all
07:56I smiled back and said nothing
07:58Then a face popped out from behind him
08:00Grinning like the cat that got the cream
08:01Happy wedding day, Bella
08:03So happy for you both
08:05Vanessa
08:05She was a mess this morning
08:07Begged to come
08:08I didn't see the harm
08:10Don't worry, the tradition's done
08:12I'll keep my distance after today
08:14Beside me, Gina went sturdy
08:16I put my hand on her arm
08:18Before she could open her mouth
08:19She came all this way
08:20She's a guest
08:21Vanessa looked me over
08:23Slowly, head to toe
08:24Bella
08:26Your dress is
08:28Lovely
08:29Very understated
08:30Not every girl can pull off something so
08:32Simple
08:33Then she turned to Marco with a playful pout
08:36Wait, didn't you get her a Vera Wang?
08:38Because I remember when we were 18
08:40You told me our wedding to have a custom
08:42Limited edition Vera Wang
08:43The plaza
08:44The Morelli family diamonds
08:46300 guests minimum
08:47You said a million dollar wedding was the only thing good enough
08:50So, what happened?
08:53The whole room went silent
08:54Every bridesmaid stopped breathing
08:55Eyes moving back and forth between us
08:58Marco cleared his throat
09:00Bella and I have been together so long
09:02We're past needing all the fanfare
09:04Right, I'd always known
09:05In his heart, the scale was never level
09:08It was always tipped toward her
09:10The photos
09:11The tears
09:11The DJ started warming up the ballroom
09:14The big screens came alive with photos
09:15Marco and me
09:16Eight years of moments on a loop
09:18Vanessa watched for maybe 30 seconds
09:21Then she started crying
09:22Bella
09:23I'm so jealous
09:24I'm so jealous
09:25She said it to me
09:26Her eyes went straight to Marco
09:28I don't think I'll ever get this
09:29The doctors found something
09:31Lupus
09:32No cure
09:34I just wanted to know what it felt like
09:36To have a wedding of my own
09:38Just once
09:39Before the end
09:40He watched her like she was the only person in the room
09:43Then he turned to me
09:45Bella
09:45Let Vanessa take your place for the ceremony
09:48Are you out of your goddamn mind?
09:51You can't just swap out a bride
09:53Who are you actually marrying, Marco?
09:55Her or Bella?
09:57It's symbolic
09:57We give her this one moment
10:00Bella still signs the papers at City Hall tomorrow
10:02Nothing changes
10:03He crouched down to my eye level
10:05His voice went soft
10:07His usual appeasing tone
10:09Bella
10:09You made it through three days
10:11What's one more hour?
10:13I promise you
10:13Vanessa gets the vows
10:15But the one in my bed tonight is you
10:17A ceremony is just words
10:19Tonight is what actually counts, isn't it?
10:21Then he raised his hand
10:22And made the sign of the cross over his heart
10:25The same gesture
10:26The same hand
10:28The same man who once swore before the Virgin Mari
10:31He would never betray me
10:33From the ballroom
10:34I could hear guests starting to murmur
10:35Wondering where the bride was
10:37The bridesmaids were looking at me
10:38Like I was already pathetic
10:40I didn't care
10:41Fine
10:42Marco exhaled
10:43He reached over and ruffled my hair
10:45The way you'd pet a dog
10:47That finally sat on command
10:48That's my girl
10:49Go up to the honeymoon suite
10:51I'll be there the second the vows are done
10:53Honestly
10:54I didn't want to say those vows anyway
10:56I was more than happy to skip straight to the wedding night
10:59Because I'd already prepared my wedding night surprise
11:04Downstairs the ballroom was loud with music and toasts
11:07Up here it was just me
11:11This penthouse was the first thing Marco bought after he made Capo
11:14I was the one who decorated it
11:16The bedding, the candles, the white rose petals scattered across the floor
11:20Every detail chosen by my hands
11:22I sat there looking at all of it and thought
11:25What a waste
11:26Gina came through the door like she was trying to knock it off its hinges
11:29You give a statement on your wedding
11:30She was shaking
11:32That son of bitch
11:34The second you left
11:36They killed the slideshow
11:37Dawn for the wedding
11:39Replace every photo of you
11:40With pictures of him and Vanessa
11:42And the dress
11:44You're not going to believe this
11:47He had a million dollar wedding gown
11:49Ready for her all along
11:55They even brought in a whole new guest list
11:59Now half the room was Vanessa's family and friends
12:03This was never your wedding, Bella
12:05He used you to throw one for her
12:08He did it because your father wasn't there
12:09He saw no one watching your back
12:11So he took the shot
12:12And he burned it all down with a smile
12:14It's fine, Gina
12:15I'm keeping a very careful tab
12:17Every single thing gets paid back
12:20He showed up around eight
12:21Drunk enough to sway slightly
12:23Satisfied enough to smile about it
12:26Bella
12:28Ceremony's done
12:30Vanessa's gone
12:30From here on out there's nothing between us
12:33I mean it this time
12:34He dropped on Ted beside me
12:36And pulled me against his shoulder
12:41You're not mad about today, are you?
12:43No
12:45He let out a long breath
12:46God, you are something else
12:48Starting tonight
12:50It's just you and me
12:52I'm gonna spend the rest of my life
12:53His phone rang
12:55The second he picked up
12:56I could hear Vanessa on the other end
12:58Muffled, ragged, crying
13:00Marco
13:00Hello
13:01I didn't mean to bother you
13:02But I fell down the stairs
13:04There's so much blood
13:05Vanessa?
13:06What happened?
13:07Are you okay?
13:07His face changed completely
13:09He was already standing up
13:11Marco loaned to not in Whirl
13:13Bella
13:13I have to go
13:14You just said
13:15I know
13:15This is the last time
13:16I swear
13:17He raised his hand
13:18And made the sign of the cross
13:19Over his heart
13:20Third time he'd done that
13:21Same hand
13:22Same chest
13:24Different lie
13:2530 minutes
13:26I'll be back
13:26What a joke
13:27How much is his promise even worth?
13:30Go
13:30Once a man's heart wanders
13:32Nothing can hold him back
13:34He grabbed his jacket
13:36And walked out without looking back
13:39The suite fell silent
13:40A moment later
13:41The door creaked open
13:43A tall silhouette filled the doorway
13:45The man I'd been waiting for
13:47Was finally here
13:4830 minutes later
13:49The hallway exploded with noise
13:51The groom men
13:52The groomsmen
13:54Hammered into howling
13:58Boss told us not to stir shit up?
13:59That's rich
14:00He spends all night with Vanessa
14:01Seven rounds no less
14:02And now he's got nothing left for Bella?
14:04Bella's been loyal to him for eight years
14:05I'm the first one calling bullshit
14:06Exactly we're raising hell tonight
14:08However it goes
14:08Boss told us Bella
14:09Her seven rounds
14:12The laughing stopped
14:13Like someone cut the power
14:15Every one of them frozen in the door frame
14:18Marco cleaned it up
14:19Put a bandage on it
14:20And stood
14:20You're fine
14:21Just a scrape on your thigh
14:25Vanessa
14:25I have to go
14:27I'm Bella's husband now
14:29This has to stop
14:30All of it
14:31Marco grabbed his jacket off the chair
14:33You need something you call Tony
14:34He'll take care of you
14:36He meant it
14:37For the first time in a long time
14:39He actually meant it
14:40Vanessa's eyes filled immediately
14:42She grabbed his sleeve with both hands
14:46Marco please
14:47One more night
14:49I don't have anyone here
14:51I'm alone in this whole country
14:53And I'm scared
14:54And I just
14:55He pulled his arm free
15:01I can't
15:02He checked his watch
15:04An hour
15:06He'd promised me 30 minutes
15:08He'd been gone a full hour
15:11His phone was going insane
15:17Brack says he for true minutes
15:20The crew
15:20Back to back
15:21Four calls in two minutes
15:24He figured it was the usual noise
15:26Guys drunk at the party
15:28Wanting him back
15:29He hit declined
15:32Marco frowned
15:33That wasn't party noise
15:35In the group chat
15:36The first one stopped him cold
15:39Boss
15:40Holy shit
15:40Your wife's in bed with another man
15:43The second one
15:44Marco
15:45Man
15:45Answer your phone
15:46And get back here
15:47Now
15:48Marco scrolled down
15:50The image was blurry
15:51Shot fast
15:53Bad lighting
15:54Someone's shaking hand
15:55But the background was unmistakable
15:56His penthouse
15:57His honeymoon suite
15:58The bed he'd told Bella
16:00To wait for him in
16:01And in the middle of that bed
16:03Another man
16:05Marco ripped his phone to his ear
16:06And called back
16:08The background of the call
16:09Was pure chaos
16:10What the hell is going on?
16:13Tony's voice came through
16:14Hesitant and shaky
16:16We don't know boss
16:18We came up to pull a wedding night prank
16:20Like we said before
16:21And the second we burst in
16:25There's a guy
16:26He's half naked
16:27Lying right there in your bed
16:29And Bella
16:30She looks like she's pretty damn comfortable with him
16:32Boss
16:33You're being played
16:34Get back here now
16:35Marco gripped the phone so hard
16:37His knuckles turned white
16:38His eyes were bloodshot
16:40Bella had been with him for eight years
16:42She loved him so much
16:44She'd set her own family on fire
16:45Just to stay by his side
16:47How could she cheat?
16:48In his mind
16:49It didn't matter how far he put
16:50He would never leave him
16:51They had spent years together
16:53She was there when he was a nobody
16:54She'd endured three miscarriages
16:56Without a single complaint
16:57She'd even kept her cool
16:58When he moved in with his ex
17:00Right before their wedding
17:01There had to be a mistake
17:02She couldn't be cheating
17:03Right then
17:04Vanessa leaned over his shoulder
17:06And peeked at the screen
17:07She let out a sharp gasp
17:09Marco
17:10Your wife is sleeping around?
17:13How could she?
17:14It's your wedding night
17:16How does she have the nerve
17:17To bring some stray man
17:18Into your honeymoon suite?
17:21Are you really gonna let her get away with this?
17:23Marco couldn't breathe
17:24He couldn't wait another second
17:28He grabbed his jacket
17:30And sprinted out the door
17:35When he slammed into the suite
17:37The tension in the room
17:38Was thick enough to cut with a knife
17:39His crew was standing in a circle
17:42Around the bed
17:42Surrounding the man
17:44Tony stepped forward
17:45His face twisted with anger
17:47Boss
17:47Finally
17:48Don't worry
17:49We've been guarding the place
17:51This bastard hasn't had the chance
17:53To touch Bella yet
17:54You got here just in time
17:55Give us the word
17:57And we'll take him for a ride
17:58Marco's gaze shifted to the bed
18:00Luca Castellona was lying there
18:02Right where Marco was supposed to be
18:04He looked completely relaxed
18:06As if he owned the room
18:08He didn't even bother to look up
18:10When Marco walked in
18:14Marco, you're finally home
18:17You said 30 minutes
18:18I've been waiting over an hour
18:20Waiting?
18:22Waiting for me to catch you in the act?
18:23Bella, you better start explaining
18:24Who the hell this guy is right now
18:27Of course
18:28That's exactly why I waited for you to come back
18:30So I could explain it to your face
18:32I reached out and pulled back the duvet
18:35Slowly, right in front of everyone
18:37I let my hand slide over Luca's firm, chiseled abs
18:41As Marco's face turned a violent shade of purple
18:44I let out a soft laugh
18:46This is what I told you about Marco
18:48The Serrano family tradition
18:49On the wedding night
18:50The bride chooses a man to make sure the groom measures up
18:53Right in front of her husband
18:54Marco froze for two seconds
18:56His jaw twitching in pure rage
18:59Bella, are you fucking kidding me?
19:01What tradition?
19:04I have never heard of any family having a rule this insane or disgusting
19:08If a Maradi groom gets three nights with his ex
19:13A Serrano bride gets a man of her own choosing
19:18I let out a cold, sharp laugh
19:21Marco, it doesn't work that way
19:23You demanded that I stay quiet
19:25And accept your bullshit tradition
19:26The least you can do is respect mine
19:29The room went deathly silent
19:34That's when Gina came charging in
19:38What's the matter, Marco?
19:40You only follow Morelli rules?
19:42The Serrano family name doesn't mean anything to you?
19:45She stared him down with a mocking smur
19:47You spent three days in bed with your first love
19:50Seven rounds, right?
19:52Bella doing this once on her wedding night
19:54That seems pretty fair to me
19:56Besides, a man's word is his bond
19:59You gave her your word before the wedding
20:00That you'd accept this rule
20:02You're not a liar, are you?
20:04She started grabbing the groomsmen by their arms
20:06And shoving them towards the hallway
20:09All right, the groom is here
20:10The show is about to start
20:13Let's go, boys
20:14The husband needs some privacy to watch his bride
20:17And her ex-lover get down to business
20:20Clear out!
20:22Enough!
20:24Marco finally snapped
20:25He let out an animalistic roar that shook the room
20:28Bella, you're doing this on purpose
20:30Just to get back at me
20:32This is revenge for me staying with Vanessa
20:34For the last three days
20:36You found some random guy just to fuck with me, didn't you?
20:40Yes
20:41Since he decided to say it out loud
20:43I wasn't gonna pull any punches
20:45I stared directly into his bloodshot eyes
20:48A mocking smile playing on my lips
20:50Marco, you were the one who betrayed us first
20:53You took my dignity
20:54And you dragged it through the dirt
20:56For everyone to see
20:58You cheated in broad daylight
21:00And expected me to just take it
21:01Why on earth did you think I would stay silent while you spit in my face?
21:05And honestly, you gave your whole wedding to Vanessa
21:08As far as the world is concerned, she's your wife
21:11So who I sleep with really isn't any of your business, is it?
21:14Marco suddenly went quiet
21:16Fine
21:16I admit it
21:18The tradition was a lie
21:20The wedding was for Vanessa
21:21I lied to you
21:23But I had a reason, Bella
21:24I had a reason for all of it
21:27Vanessa has lupus
21:28The doctors said there's no cure
21:30She just wanted to feel loved one last time before she dies
21:33She was on her knees, Bella
21:35She was sobbing, begging me
21:37I didn't have the heart to say no
21:39He looked at me
21:39His voice trembling with a mix of desperation and guilt
21:42I told you I was done with her
21:43And I meant it
21:44I made it clear today
21:46From this second on, I am yours
21:47I will be loyal
21:48I will never speak to Vanessa again
21:50So stop this game
21:51Send this man away
21:52And I'll pretend tonight never happened
21:54Pretend it never happened?
21:55It was almost funny
21:57Almost
21:57He cheated on me
21:59He spent three days in bed with another woman right under my nose
22:02And now he was acting like he was doing me a favor by forgiving me?
22:05The audacity was staggering
22:07Marco's crew started chomming in
22:09Trying to smooth things over
22:11Come on, Bella
22:11Don't do this to the boss
22:13He only said yes to Vanessa because he felt sorry for her
22:16You know you're the only one he loves
22:17You guys have eight years of history
22:19You can't just throw that away over a misunderstanding
22:21Exactly
22:22It's your wedding night
22:23Kick this guy out so we can all move on
22:25Don't let this become a joke
22:26That's when Luca finally spoke
22:28You wanna kick me out?
22:29His voice was slow and smooth
22:31Like he was savoring a fine glass of bourbon
22:33Then make me
22:34Luca got out of bed with a deliberate, slow grace
22:37He walked over and wrapped a heavy, possessive arm around my shoulders
22:41He looked at Marco with a look of pure, satisfied laziness
22:44Bella
22:45You promised me tonight was mine
22:47You're not gonna break your word, are you?
22:49Get your hands off her!
22:51Marco lunged forward
22:52Ripping Luca's hand away from my shoulder
22:54His eyes were burning with a manic fury
22:56Who the fuck are you to touch my wife?
22:59Who the hell do you think you're talking to?
23:01Luca just brushed his sleeve where Marco had touched him
23:03And let out a soft, mocking huff
23:05I'm Bella's ex
23:07And according to the Serrano family tradition
23:09I'm the one spending the wedding night with her
23:11Bullshit!
23:12Bella never dated anyone before me
23:14I'm her first
23:15Her only
23:16She doesn't have an ex
23:18You're a fake
23:20You're just some guy she hired to piss me off
23:22Busted
23:22Luca's lips curled into a lazy, dangerous smirk
23:26You're right
23:27I'm not Bella's ex-boyfriend
23:28Actually, I'm her fiancé
23:29What are you talking about?
23:31I'm her fiancé
23:32I'm the one she's marrying
23:34Marco
23:34I cut him off, my voice cold and lethal
23:37Don't forget, you already got married today
23:39Your wife is Vanessa
23:40The two of you stood in front of 300 guests and exchanged vows
23:44You and I, we're done
23:45I looked him straight in the eyes as the realization started to sink in
23:48Luca is the man my parents chose for me years ago
23:50Cerrone and Castellino families had this plan since we were kids
23:53So yes, he's my actual fiancé
23:55And if I want to spend a little time reconnecting with him
23:58What business is it of yours?
23:59Marco froze
24:00Every bit of color drained from his face
24:03Until he looked like a ghost
24:04Luca let his gaze sweep across the room
24:06Looking at the crew like they were ants
24:08All right
24:09I'm going to spend a wonderful night with my bride-to-be
24:12Unless you guys are planning on staying to watch
24:14This is my house
24:15I bought this place
24:16This is my honeymoon suite
24:18My bed
24:19Got to look at a treat
24:20Best down
24:21You don't get to come into my home
24:23And act like you own the place
24:25Luca looked around the room with fake curiosity
24:27You know what, you're right
24:28This place is quaint
24:30He turned back to me
24:31Pulling me close and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear
24:34Let's go, Bella
24:35I'm taking you home
24:36I promise you'll forget this pathetic little room ever existed before the sun comes up
24:40He tightened his grip on my waist and started leading me toward the door
24:43Marco threw himself in front of us
24:46Grabbing my wrist with a desperate, crushing grip
24:49Let her go!
24:50I'm not letting you take Bela anywhere
24:52She's my wife
24:54You have no right
24:55Let go of her
24:57Luca's eyes finally turned cold
24:59Marco refused to budge
25:01The standoff lasted less than three seconds before the door was kicked open
25:05A group of men in sharp black suits
25:11Swarmed the room
25:12The light caught the holsters beneath their jackets
25:17Before Marco could even blink
25:19Two soldiers had him pinned by the arms
25:21He thrashed against them
25:22His voice rising to a frantic, grief-stricken howl
25:25Get off me!
25:27Who the hell are you?
25:28You can't do this!
25:30Hurry!
25:30Bella, just take my wife!
25:32You can't just take my wife!
25:34As Luca led me toward the door
25:36Marco's screams started to break
25:39The rage turned into a pathetic, choked-up sob
25:42Bella, please!
25:43Don't go!
25:44Come back!
25:45I'm sorry!
25:46I'm so sorry!
25:47I shouldn't have lied!
25:49It's you, Bella!
25:49You're the one I really love!
25:51You're the only one I wanted to marry!
25:54Please, don't leave with him!
25:56I felt nothing
25:56His love was so cheap
25:58I didn't even look back
25:59As I walked out of the room
26:01Once we were gone
26:02The soldiers tossed Marco onto the floor like a piece of trash
26:05He stayed there on his knees
26:07His entire body shaking with a mix of fury and heartbreak
26:12Why?
26:14Why, Bella?
26:16How could you do this to me?
26:18His crew was finally starting to snap out of their shock
26:21Tony swallowed hard
26:22His face going pale as he looked at the retreating soldiers
26:25Boss, I thought that guy looked familiar
26:28Those weren't just hired muscle
26:30Those were Castelloni soldiers
26:32That man
26:32That was Luca Castellano
26:34The head of the Castellano Empire
26:36Finance
26:37Real estate
26:38Weapons
26:38They own the whole East Coast
26:40Even the politicians are in their pocket
26:42Boss
26:43This isn't a fight
26:44This is an execution
26:46We can't win this
26:47After we left Marco's penthouse
26:49Luca drove me straight back to the Serrano estate
26:53The moment my parents saw me walk through the door with Luca
26:56Their eyes filled with tears
26:59There were no lectures
27:00No, I told you so
27:02My father just pulled me into a hug
27:05His voice thick with emotion
27:07You're home
27:07That's all that matters
27:09Seeing how much older my parents looked
27:11How the gray had settled into their hair
27:13I couldn't hold it back anymore
27:15Mom
27:16Dad
27:17I'm so sorry
27:18I was wrong
27:19Eight years ago
27:20I was obsessed with Marco
27:22He was a nobody back then
27:23My parents tried everything to stop me
27:26But I wouldn't listen to anyone
27:28I remember my father told me
27:30Marco isn't for you, Bella
27:32One day you're gonna come back here in tears
27:35It took eight years
27:36But he was right
27:38I had lost everything
27:39My mother squeezed my hand
27:41Her eyes soft
27:42It's okay, baby
27:43We were all young and stubborn once
27:46You found your way back
27:48That's enough for me
27:49My father looked over at Luca
27:51A proud smile touching his lips
27:53Now that she's home
27:54We should get the wedding back on schedule
27:56This kid has been in love with you
27:58Since he was a teenager, Bella
28:00After all these years
28:01He finally got his wish
28:02I saw tips of Luca's ears
28:04Turn bright red
28:05Looking uncharacteristically flustered
28:07Mr. Serrano
28:08Mrs. Serrano
28:09I should probably head out
28:11And let you have some family time
28:12Bella
28:13Go walk Luca to his car
28:16My mother nudged me
28:18I walked him out to the porch
28:20And for a long moment
28:21Neither of us said a word
28:23I'd always known Luca liked me
28:26Our families were close
28:27And we grew up together
28:29But Luca was a nightmare back then
28:31He was a troublemaker
28:32And he expressed his feelings
28:34By being an absolute jerk
28:35In high school
28:36He intimidated every guy
28:37Who tried to get close to me
28:39On the night of our senior prom
28:40He actually put out a warning
28:42That nobody was allowed
28:43To ask me to dance
28:44I ended up sitting in a corner
28:45Alone all night
28:46The laughing stowed up the school
28:47I was so furious
28:49I told him I'd never speak to him again
28:50After that, I hated him
28:52Then I met Marco
28:53Fell head over wills
28:54And stopped looking at anyone else
28:55Over the years
28:56I wiped Luca out of my life entirely
28:58But I never imagined
28:59That while I was busy
29:00Building a life with Marco
29:01The man I hated most
29:02Was actually waiting for me
29:03The whole time
29:03I thought back to the text
29:05He sent me that morning
29:06He had heard from somewhere
29:07That my wedding with Marco
29:08Was falling apart
29:10Almost instantly
29:11He sent that message
29:12Bella, if you need me
29:13I'm ready to settle the score for you
29:15I didn't take it seriously at first
29:17Because of everything
29:18That happened in the past
29:20He was the last person on earth
29:22I wanted to call
29:23But standing here on the porch
29:25Looking up at this tall, silent man
29:27I felt a wave of confusion
29:29Mixed with guilt
29:30Were those jerky things he did
29:32When we were kids
29:32Because he hated me?
29:34Or because he just didn't know
29:35How to speak the language of love?
29:36What does he want from me now?
29:38A new game to play?
29:40Or is this actually
29:42The devotion of a Don?
29:45After what Marco did to me
29:47I don't think I can ever truly believe
29:49In a man's heart again
29:50But regardless of the future
29:51Right now
29:53Castellino backing
29:54Is the best thing we could have
29:55Luca
29:58I don't think this is fair to you
30:01I spent eight years with Marco
30:03I gave him everything
30:04I lost three babies for him
30:07Someone like me
30:08I'm not good enough for you
30:10You deserve someone better
30:12Stop
30:13Luca reached out
30:14His thumb gently pressing
30:16Against my lips
30:17To quiet me
30:18Bella
30:18That was your past
30:20It isn't a stain on who you are
30:22You gave your heart
30:23To someone who didn't deserve it
30:25You were the victim
30:27That isn't a crime
30:28Why on earth would that mean
30:30You don't deserve to be happy?
30:31You owe that man nothing
30:33You owe yourself everything
30:34He looked at me
30:35His gaze burning
30:36With a fierce, solemn sincerity
30:37I've loved you for a long time, Bella
30:39Which means I accept
30:40Every single part of you
30:41Let the past be the past
30:43His eyes were full of hope and honesty
30:44Give yourself a chance
30:45And give me one too
30:46Okay?
30:47Before my mind caught up
30:48I nodded
30:50My wedding with Luca
30:52Was set for next month
30:54The invitations went out
30:56Almost immediately
30:56The night Marco heard the news
30:59He came looking for me
31:01It had only been a few days
31:02But he looked like
31:03A ghost of himself
31:04He was gaunt
31:05His eyes were sucking and dark
31:07And his face was covered
31:08In a messy, unshaden stubble
31:09His suit was wrinkled
31:10And his hair
31:11Usually perfectly slicked back
31:12Was a disaster
31:13Bella
31:15Don't do this
31:16Don't marry him
31:17He reached out
31:19And grabbed my hand
31:19I fucked up
31:20I know I did
31:21But I'm done with Vanessa
31:23She's gone
31:24I swear on my life
31:26I'll never see her again
31:29Just please
31:31Don't marry Luca Castelloni
31:33We were together for eight years
31:35You were willing to turn your back
31:36On your own parents for me
31:37Why are you being so cold now?
31:39How can you just walk away
31:41Without giving me a single chance?
31:42Bella
31:43This is cruel
31:44I ripped my hand out of his grip
31:47I was so tired of the drama
31:49Marco
31:50I gave you eight years of chances
31:52I waited nearly a decade
31:53For you to decide
31:54I was worth the ring
31:55I endured everything
31:57But you crossed the line
31:58When you brought her into our bed
32:00Before the wedding even started
32:01Go away
32:02It's over
32:03In that moment
32:04I was just grateful
32:05We hadn't made it to City Hall
32:07To sign those papers
32:07I turned around
32:08And walked away
32:09Without looking back
32:10Marco stood there in the street
32:11Looking like a man
32:13Who had lost the entire world
32:14He had nowhere to go
32:16No one to turn to
32:17He ended up stumbling
32:19Into his private club
32:20Ordering the strongest grappa they had
32:22And knocking back glass after glass
32:24Like he was trying to drown himself
32:26His crew couldn't stand to watch it
32:28They took turns
32:29Trying to talk sense into him
32:31Boss stop it
32:32You're gonna kill yourself at this rate
32:34Bella is marrying someone else
32:35Drinking yourself into a coma
32:37Won't bring her back
32:38She's gone
32:40But no one could get through to him
32:43Finally
32:43Tony and the guys
32:44Tracked down Vanessa
32:46And brought her to the club
32:47Find Vanessa
32:48Hoping she could calm him down
32:50But it only made things
32:52A thousand times worse
32:54Vanessa snatched the bottle
32:55Out of his hand
32:56Her lips twisted in a pow
32:58Marco
32:58Stop it already
32:59Look at you
33:00It's not worth it
33:02To ruin yourself
33:02Over a woman like her
33:03Honestly
33:04She's not even that great
33:06If she had the nerve
33:07To bring a stray man
33:09Into your bed
33:09On your wedding night
33:10It means she's been
33:11Sleeping around
33:12For a long time
33:13She's trash
33:14Marco
33:15You should be happy
33:16You're finally rid of her
33:19Marco snapped
33:20He lunged forward
33:21Grabbing Vanessa
33:22By the collar
33:22And shaking her
33:23His face twisted
33:25In a mask of pure agony
33:26You don't get to talk
33:28About Bella like that
33:29Do you hear me?
33:30She is not trash
33:31She gave me
33:32Eight damn years
33:34Of her life
33:34I know who she is
33:36Better than anyone
33:37Vanessa
33:37How do you even have
33:38The balls to show your face?
33:40This is all your fault
33:41You're the one
33:42Who manipulated me
33:43Into that tradition
33:44You're the reason
33:45Bella left
33:46You destroyed my life
33:48Why won't you just
33:49Leave me alone?
33:50Suddenly
33:50His eyes caught
33:51Something on her skin
33:52His expression shifted
33:54From rage to icy
33:55Dawning horror
33:56He reached out
33:57And ripped her collar open
34:00What the hell is that
34:01On your neck?
34:01What are those red spots?
34:03Vanessa panicked
34:04She tried to pull away
34:05Her voice stammering
34:06Marco
34:07I told you
34:08I have lupus
34:08That's just a symptom
34:10No
34:10That's not lupus
34:11A sickening realization
34:13Began to crawl up
34:14Marco's spine
34:15He didn't care about
34:16Her protests and screaming
34:17He grabbed her by the arm
34:19And dragged her toward the door
34:20Hellbent on getting her
34:22To a hospital
34:23Vanessa fought back
34:24Like a cornered animal
34:25Her long acrylic nails
34:26Clawed at his face
34:27Leaving deep bloody gashes
34:29Across his cheek
34:30Marco didn't even flinch
34:31He just turned around
34:32And backhanded her
34:33Across the face
34:33With everything he had
34:34The two lovers
34:35Who had been tangled together
34:36In bed just days ago
34:38Now looked like
34:39Bitter sworn enemies
34:40The secret Vanessa
34:41Had been fighting
34:42So hard to bury
34:43Was finally coming to light
34:45Every gift from the gods
34:47Comes with a hidden price tag
34:49And some debts
34:50Are more than one person
34:51Can afford to pay
34:52At the hospital
34:54Marco didn't give her a choice
34:55Under his terrifying threats
34:57Vanessa was forced to undergo
34:59A full battery of tests
35:00When the results
35:01Finally came back
35:02The truth was worse
35:03Than anything he could have imagined
35:04She didn't have lupus
35:06She was in the late stages
35:07Of syphilis
35:08Marco felt like
35:09He'd been struck by lightning
35:11In that second
35:11His whole world
35:13Came crashing down
35:14You
35:16Bitch
35:16He lunged at her
35:17His hands clamping
35:18Around Vanessa's throat
35:19His eyes nearly popping
35:20Out of his head
35:21With rage
35:22You were sleeping around
35:24In Europe
35:24And caught a goddamn disease
35:26You told me
35:27It was lupus
35:28You tricked me
35:29Into your bed
35:29Just to rob me
35:30From the inside out
35:31I'll kill you
35:32I'll fucking kill you
35:34Because of her
35:35He had lost
35:36The woman he loved
35:37And now
35:37His body was likely tainted
35:40Too
35:40His entire life was in ruins
35:42And it was all because of her
35:44What are you screaming about?
35:46You were the one who cheated
35:47You were the one who couldn't
35:48Stay out of my bed
35:49You thought Bella was weak
35:51You thought she was a doormat
35:52Who would let you do
35:53Whatever you wanted
35:54Don't you dare pin this on me
35:56You selfish coward
35:57You wanted to call me
35:58Your true love
35:59While keeping Bella
36:00Around to wait on you
36:01I saw right through you
36:02From day one
36:03The words pushed Marco
36:04Over the edge
36:05He lost every ounce of reason
36:07Squeezing her throat
36:08Harder and harder
36:09Determined to watch the life
36:10Leave her eyes
36:11It took three hospital
36:13Security guards
36:14To pull him off her
36:15Vanessa didn't wait around
36:16She stumbled out of the hospital
36:18Bruised and gasping
36:19And caught the very first flight
36:21Out of the country
36:22She vanished back to Europe
36:23Before the sun even went down
36:24Marco wandered out of the hospital
36:26Like a hollow shell of a man
36:27He drifted through the streets
36:29His mind a chaotic blur
36:30He saw flashes of Bella's smile
36:32From years ago
36:33The warmth of their life together
36:34Then the memory of his heat
36:35With Vanessa
36:36And finally
36:37This is exactly what you deserve
36:39His legs
36:40Finally gave out
36:41Marco
36:42Marco
36:42Exhausted
36:43Broken
36:44And terrified of the poison
36:46In his blood
36:47Marco collapsed on the sidewalk
36:49As the world
36:50When Marco opened his eyes again
36:52He was back in the hospital
36:54For a moment
36:56He didn't remember
36:57How he got there
36:59Boss
37:00The doctor is here
37:03Mr. Moretti
37:08Your test came back positive
37:11We need to begin treatment immediately
37:14There it was
37:15The price of Vanessa's lie
37:17Had finally reached his blood
37:19The first face that flashed through his mind
37:22Wasn't Vanessa's
37:23It was mine
37:25Bella
37:26Give me my phone
37:31I need to call her
37:35Boss
37:37Today is her wedding
37:43While Marco was drowning in the wreckage of his choices
37:47I was standing in front of a mirror
37:49Wearing white for a second time
37:51You look beautiful, baby
38:06Are you ready, sweetheart?
38:09I am
38:15Luca was waiting at the end of the aisle
38:18For once
38:19The man who had waited for me
38:20His whole life
38:21Didn't look smuck at all
38:23He looked nervous
38:29My father walked me down the aisle
38:35This time I wasn't walking towards humiliation
38:38I was walking away from it
38:41I don't want the version of you
38:44The world thinks is easiest to love
38:47I want all of you, Bella
38:49The broken parts
38:52The angry parts
38:54The parts still learning how to breathe
38:57I can't promise I'm healed
39:00But I can promise I'm done living for the man who broke me
39:05If you'll walk beside me, Luca
39:07I'll try
39:14Boss, it already started
39:15You can't make it in time
39:16I have to see her
39:26He should have stayed in that hospital bed
39:32But regret has a way of making dying men run
39:37Please
39:48You may kiss the bride
39:52And just like that
39:54I became Mrs. Castellino
40:00Marco arrived just in time to see the ending
40:04No
40:07Not the ending he wanted
40:09The ending he deserved
40:11By noon, every family on the east coast knew
40:14Bella Serrano was no longer the discarded almost wife of Marco Moretti
40:18She was Mrs. Castellino
40:20And the ring on my finger was not just a wedding ring
40:22It was a warning
40:23The morning after the wedding, Luca took me downstairs for breakfast
40:27The entire Castellino household stood waiting in perfect silence
40:32Soldiers, house staff, advisors, captains
40:35Every eye lowered the second I entered the room
40:44Good morning, Donna Castellino
40:48For eight years, I had been treated like Marco's shadow
40:51Now men twice my age bowed their heads because I walked beside Luca
40:54I should have felt powerful
40:56Instead, I felt strangely calm
40:58Power didn't make noise
41:00Power simply entered a room and changed the temperature
41:03Luca pulled out my chair himself
41:05A few captains exchanged surprised looks
41:08He noticed
41:10His voice went cold
41:12My wife does not stand while any man in this house sits
41:15Every chair scraped back at once
41:18Luca
41:19Yes, wife?
41:21I don't need them scared of me because you ordered it
41:23Then make them scared of you for their own reasons
41:25Before I could answer, the butler stepped in
41:29Donna
41:30Don Serrano is here
41:33And the Moretti family has requested an emergency meeting
41:37A slow smile touched my lips
41:39Of course they had
41:39The Morettis had laughed when I had no one standing behind me
41:42Now that the Castellino crest was on my hand
41:44They suddenly remembered respect
41:46Tell them I'll see them tonight
41:47You don't have to
41:48I know
41:48I lifted my coffee cup
41:50That's why I'm going
41:51The meeting was held at the old Serrano cigar room
41:54My father sat on one side
41:56Luca sat beside me on the other
41:58Across the table were Marco's father
42:00His mother, Tony, and three Moretti elders
42:02Who looked like they had aged ten years overnight
42:05Marco was not there
42:06His mother tried to smile
42:08Bella sweetheart
42:09Surely we can handle this like family
42:12Family?
42:13You were with Marco for eight years
42:14We all loved you
42:15No, you used me for eight years
42:17You used my name when the Morettos needed legitimacy
42:20You used my money when Marco needed backing
42:22You used my silence when he humiliated me
42:25And on my wedding day you gave my dress
42:27My ceremony, my vows, and my guests to another woman
42:32We admit mistakes were made
42:33Marco's father lowered his eyes
42:35Mistakes
42:36My voice stayed soft
42:38That word is for spilt wine
42:40Not public humiliation
42:42One elder cleared his throat
42:45What do you want, Donna Castellino?
42:49There it was
42:50Not Bella
42:51Not Sweetheart
42:56Donna Castellino
42:57I placed a file on the table
42:59The Moretti waterfront contracts
43:02The Brooklyn trucking routes
43:03The three shell companies registered under Marco's name
43:07That would cripple us
43:08Marco's father went pale
43:11No
43:11That would keep you alive
43:15Marco's mother slammed her hand on the table
43:17This is extortion
43:19I turned to her
43:20No
43:21Extortion is when a weak person begs for mercy from someone stronger
43:27This is repayment
43:28I smiled
43:30Tony looked sick
43:31Marco's father swallowed hard
43:34And Marco?
43:36Marco loses his seat as underboss, publicly
43:40For the first time, my smile disappeared
43:45His mother gasped
43:47Marco arrived twenty minutes late
43:49For once, no one applauded
43:51He looked thinner than he had at the gate
43:53The arrogance was gone from his face
43:56What remained was worse
43:57Need
43:58Regret
43:59A man suddenly realizing that love was not a door he could keep unlocked forever
44:04Bella
44:06He said my name like a prayer
44:08Luca's hand rested against the back of my chair
44:11Not touching me
44:13Not controlling me
44:14Just there
44:17Marco saw it and flinched
44:19I didn't know they were meeting with you
44:20I came as soon as I heard
44:22We are removing you as underboss
44:26His father didn't look at him
44:28Marco froze
44:31What?
44:36His mother burst into tears
44:38Because of her!
44:39Because she couldn't handle one mistake!
44:45One mistake!
44:49I stood
44:50The room seemed to shrink around us
44:52You gave your ex my wedding
44:53You left me alone on our wedding night
44:55You lied about tradition
44:57You let your friends mock my miscarriages
44:59Then you begged me to forgive you because the woman you chose was sick
45:02Marco's face crumpled
45:04Bella, please!
45:06No
45:07That one word stopped him
45:09I begged for your love for eight years
45:12Quietly
45:14Patiently
45:16Pathetically
45:17I kept this because I thought maybe one day it would mean something again
45:20I slid it toward him
45:22He reached for it with shaking hands
45:24I can fix this
45:26Now it means nothing
45:28You can't even fix yourself
45:32His knees hit the floor
45:33Everyone stared
45:34I love you
45:35Marco Morelli
45:36Once the proud golden sun kneeling in front of the woman he thought would never leave
45:40I looked down at him
45:41No, Marco
45:42My voice was almost gentle
45:44You loved being loved by me
45:48That night, Vanessa resurfaced
45:50Not in New York
45:51Not in Palermo
45:52Online
45:53A video spread through every private group chat in the city before midnight
45:57Vanessa sat in a dim hotel room
45:59Face bruised
46:00Hair messy
46:01Eyes wide with fake terror
46:04My name is Vanessa Ricci
46:07If anything happens to me
46:12If anything happens to me
46:14Blame Bella Serrano and Luca Castellino
46:18I watched the video from Luca's studio
46:20I watched the video from Luca's studio
46:29She's desperate
46:30She knows the Morettis can't protect her anymore
46:33On screen, Vanessa pressed a trembling hand to her chest
46:36Vanessa continued her performance
46:38Marco loved me
46:40Bella couldn't accept it
46:41She sent Luca's men after me
46:43She ruined my life because Marco chose me first
46:46Luca's expression darkened
46:48I'll have it taken down
46:50No
46:53Bella?
46:54Leave it up
46:55He looked at me
46:57Gina stopped pacing
47:00Are you insane?
47:02No
47:02Vanessa wants attention
47:04So let's give her a stage
47:06Luca studied me for a long moment
47:08Then his mouth curved faintly
47:10What are you planning?
47:12I looked back at the screen
47:14At Vanessa's tearful performance
47:16For eight years, I swallowed humiliation
47:19Because I thought dignity meant silence
47:20I was wrong
47:21Sometimes dignity meant letting your enemy talk long enough to hang herself
47:25I closed the laptop
47:27She wants to be the tragic woman in this story
47:29Fine
47:29Tomorrow night we host a charity gala
47:32A gala?
47:33Yes
47:34I turned to Luca
47:35Invite the press
47:36Invite every family
47:37Invite the Morettis
47:38And Vanessa?
47:39My smile sharpened
47:40Especially Vanessa
47:44The gala was held in the Castellino Conservatory
47:47Glass ceilings
47:49White orchids
47:50Champagne towers
47:52A room full of powerful people
47:54Pretending they had never enjoyed watching me suffer
47:58I wore black
47:59Luca stood beside me
48:01One hand resting at my waist
48:02His face unreadable
48:03When I stepped onto the small stage
48:05The room quieted
48:06Tonight, the Castelloni and Serrano families are launching a protection fund
48:11For women abandoned, threatened, or exploited by criminal households
48:15A ripple moved through the crowd
48:17I saw Marco at the back
48:19Pale
48:20Hollow
48:21Watching me like I was the last light in a burning city
48:26Then the doors opened
48:28Vanessa walked in wearing a white dress and a black veil
48:31Dramatic
48:32Predictable
48:33Perfect
48:34She stumbled forward
48:36You hypocrite!
48:38You talk about protecting women!
48:41You destroyed me because Marco loved me!
48:43Every head turned
48:44Vanessa pointed at me
48:45Marco's face twisted
48:46Vanessa, stop
48:47She ignored him
48:48I was dying
48:49I had lupus
48:50I just wanted one wedding before the end
48:53I looked at Gina
48:54She pressed a button
48:56The screen behind me lit up
48:58You wanted belly waiting at home while you called me your true love
49:01This is exactly what you deserve!
49:04Hospital security footage
49:06Vanessa screaming at Marco
49:08Then came the medical report
49:09Not lupus
49:10The room exploded into whispers
49:12I stepped down from the stage
49:14You weren't dying, Vanessa
49:15My voice was calm
49:16You were lying
49:18She lunged at me
49:20Before she came close
49:22Luca caught her wrist
49:26Touch my wife and you lose the hand
49:31You wanted my wedding so badly
49:33Congratulations
49:36Everyone is looking at you now
49:40Vanessa was dragged out
49:42But not before she laughed
49:43It was sharp
49:44Ugly
49:45Almost victorious
49:46You still don't know, do you?
49:48I stopped
49:50That Brooklyn attack
49:53The one where you lost your baby
49:55She looked straight at me
49:57The room went silent
49:58My breath caught before I could stop it
50:00Vanessa smiled through her tears
50:03It wasn't random
50:05Marco staggered forward
50:07What did you say?
50:09Vanessa's eyes flicked toward his mother
50:11Ask her
50:12Every person in the room turned
50:14Marco's mother went white
50:16That girl is diseased and hysterical
50:19Oh please
50:22You paid people to make sure Marco came home scared
50:24You didn't want Bella pregnant with his child
50:27You said a Serrano baby would put a leash around your son's neck forever
50:30That girl is diseased and hysterical
50:33Vanessa laughed harder
50:35Oh please
50:35You paid people to make sure Marco came home scared
50:38You didn't want Bella pregnant with his child
50:40You said a Serrano baby would put a leash around your son's neck forever
50:44she said nothing the silence answered for her something inside me went cold i remembered the
50:53hospital hallway the blood marco had held me afterward he had cried he had sworn it was just
50:59bad luck the sound of my own voice begging someone to help i turned away because if i looked at
51:04his
51:04mother any longer i might forget every rule i had learned luca moved beside me his voice was soft
51:09say the word for the first time since marrying him i understood exactly how dangerous devotion could
51:16be i looked at marco's mother no everyone stared i lifted my chin death is too easy for three days
51:23luca's men tore through the past old phone records cash transfers a warehouse security log from
51:28brooklyn a hospital intake delay that had always been explained away as chaos by the fourth morning
51:33gina placed the final file in front of me tony's name was on it i found him in the chapel
51:38behind
51:39the old moretti club he was drunk pale and praying like god still answered men like him
51:45bella i didn't know she was pregnant he stood too fast i said nothing tony began shaking i swear on
51:52my
51:52mother i didn't know marco's mother told us to leak the meeting location he said it was just to scare
51:57him to remind him family came first and after his eyes filled after the hospital i figured it out
52:04said marco tony looked away that was all i needed my fingers tightened around the pew he knew not at
52:09first tony's voice broke years later when he became underboss his mother told him enough not
52:15everything but enough chapel blurred for half a second marco had known maybe not that day maybe not
52:20while i bled on the floor but later he had known his family's ambition had cost me a child and
52:24he had
52:24still let me sit at their table still let his mother call me daughter still let me plan a wedding
52:28in their name tony fell to his knees i'm sorry i looked at him you're not sorry my voice was
52:34empty
52:35you're just finally afraid marco came to the serrano estate before sunset no guards no crew no pride
52:41just him standing outside the gates like a man waiting for judgment i agreed to see him in the
52:47courtyard luca didn't stop me he only said i'll be close for once that was enough marco looked destroyed
52:52i found out two years ago he said before i could speak his voice was rough almost dead after i
52:57became under voice my mother was drunk she said she had saved me from being trapped i didn't move i
53:02asked her what she meant she told me pieces not all of it i swear i didn't know everything not
53:06everything but you knew enough tears slipped down his face yes the honesty was too late to matter i hated
53:12her for it he whispered i hated myself but but if i exposed her the family would collapse i told
53:18myself it
53:18wouldn't bring the baby back i told myself protecting the future mattered more than digging up the
53:22past our child was not the past he flinched like i had struck him i stepped closer you didn't just
53:27cheat on me marco you buried me alive inside your family and called it love he sobbed tell me what
53:34to do anything i'll do anything i looked at the man i once would have died for then i finally
53:39saw him
53:39clearly small weak late live what he blinked live with it i turned away that's the only punishment you
53:46deserve the commission gathered two nights later five families one long table no raised voices that
53:53was how real power worked the loud men were usually the ones about to lose marco's mother sat at the
53:59far end dressed in black lace like a grieving saint most admired the performance almost luca stood behind
54:06my chair my father sat to my left marco sat across from me hollow-eyed and silent the head of
54:12the romano
54:12family spoke first donna castellino you asked for this hearing state your claim i placed the evidence
54:19on the table moretzi family ordered that led to the brooklyn attack eight years ago the attack caused
54:24the death of my unborn child a heavy silence fell this is a family matter no this is a blood
54:31debt the
54:32old men looked at one another they understood that language i continued i am not asking for her death
54:38marco's mother looked relieved for the rest of her life she will have no family protection
54:43no access to moretti funds no seat at any table and no right to use the moretti name
54:50her relief vanished you can't erase me i'm not erasing you i leaned forward i'm making sure everyone
54:59remembers exactly what you are then i looked at marco as for marco moretti he keeps his life nothing else
55:06his father closed his eyes the vote was unanimous marco's mother screamed as they stripped the ring
55:13from her hand marco never moved he only looked at me and whispered i'm sorry this time i didn't
55:21answer some apologies deserved silence three weeks later the moretti empire collapsed quietly no war
55:28no street bloodshed just frozen accounts broken alliances missing contracts and doors that no longer
55:34opened people called it merciful they were wrong mercy would have been quick this was precision
55:39marco sold his penthouse first then the private club then the car i once helped him choose i heard
55:45he moved into a small apartment above an old booker shop in queens i didn't visit i didn't ask i
55:51didn't
55:52care at least that's what i told myself one rainy afternoon luca found me in the library staring at
55:58nothing thinking about him i looked up thinking about who i was with him and i don't hate that girl
56:06anymore his expression softened she got you here she survived no she fought for a long moment neither
56:15of us spoke then luca placed a sealed envelope on the table what is that one of my men found
56:20it in
56:20vanessa's luggage when she was caught trying to leave through the docks i opened it inside was a
56:26ledger page old names dates payments my eyes moved down the list moretti ricci and then castellino
56:35my blood went cold luca saw my face change bella bella's voice i turned the page toward him his
56:42expression frozen at the bottom was a signature his uncle salvatore castellano the man who had raised
56:49luca after his father died i looked at my husband how long has your family been lying to me too
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