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🔥🔥🔥[Hot 2026] 🧡🧡The Godfather s Bloody Betrayal💞💞🎬🎬Full Movie English Sub 2026
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00:00:01On our third anniversary, I activated my plan to fake my own death.
00:00:11At dinner, he told his men in Italian,
00:00:17He never knew I understood every single word.
00:00:20As the mafia dons trophy wife, I had long discovered his mistress,
00:00:23and the high heels she deliberately left in my home.
00:00:26I refused to endure it any longer.
00:00:28Ten days from now, only the gun he custom, made for me and a pool of blood,
00:00:32will remain on the seaside cliff.
00:00:35Dawn, those 99 times you said you loved me, I don't want them anymore.
00:00:41I was standing in the corridor outside the private dining room when I dialed the number.
00:00:45Project Ash, initiate now.
00:00:48The male voice on the other end was calm and steady.
00:00:50Received. The faked death protocol is ready to go.
00:00:53In ten days, you'll vanish from everyone's world.
00:00:55I ended the call, pried out the SIM card, and dropped it into the wastebasket beside the wall.
00:01:00From inside the room came a roar of laughter, familiar enough to turn my stomach.
00:01:04That was Dante Moretti, my husband, the godfather of the most powerful mafia family on the East Coast,
00:01:09surrounded by his loyal and oblivious men.
00:01:11Tonight was our third wedding anniversary.
00:01:14He had rented out the entire restaurant, the most expensive champagne, the most dishonest smiles.
00:01:19A performance called Love, staged entirely for my benefit.
00:01:23I pushed open the door and walked in, wearing the same smile I always wore.
00:01:27Finished your call.
00:01:28Dante sat at the head of the long table and reached out to me.
00:01:31I crossed the room and placed my hand in his.
00:01:33He pulled me into his lap in one smooth motion, one arm circling my waist.
00:01:37Tender and practiced, the kind of gesture that now made me want to be sick.
00:01:41All done.
00:01:42The cleaning service confirmed they'll send someone to the apartment tomorrow.
00:01:45Dante nodded and turned back to his underboss, resuming a conversation in Italian.
00:01:49Fast, clipped, thick with a Sicilian accent, the private language of his bloodline,
00:01:53and the wall they'd always used to keep me out.
00:01:56I smiled along and took a sip of wine.
00:01:58I had taught myself Italian over the past three years.
00:02:01Dante didn't know that.
00:02:02He thought I only spoke English.
00:02:04His men thought so too.
00:02:08That was Dante's cousin, Luca, second, in command.
00:02:11Another man, Cesare, grinned.
00:02:15Buonasera.
00:02:17Non posso incolpare il capo.
00:02:19Tieni uno rispettabile a casa.
00:02:21Tia un'ezzitante sul lato.
00:02:22Tieni su giù.
00:02:23Sua moglie è proprio lì.
00:02:29Cesare turned to me, switching to English, his eyes testing the water.
00:02:33Vivian, good wine.
00:02:34I smiled and nodded.
00:02:35Very good.
00:02:36My gaze perfectly clear.
00:02:38They exchanged a look and cut back to Italian.
00:02:41Non capisci una parola.
00:02:43Rilasciati.
00:02:43Dante, davvero non le lo diresti.
00:02:45E se lo scopri...
00:02:46Dante finally spoke, his tone easy and indifferent.
00:02:49Cosa è da scoprire?
00:02:50È mia.
00:02:51Sarà sempre mia.
00:02:52Ho bisogno di lei dove deve essere, facendo quello che dovrebbe fare.
00:02:55Il resto non ha nulla a che avere con lei.
00:02:58I felt his hand give my waist a light.
00:03:00Absent-minded pet.
00:03:01The way you'd sue the pet.
00:03:02Besides, he continued in Italian.
00:03:04È così brava, non farà danni.
00:03:06Low laughter rippled around the table.
00:03:08I looked down at the dark red liquid in my glass.
00:03:11Three years of marriage, and they had always looked at me that way.
00:03:14Pity threaded through contempt.
00:03:15I was the godfather's wife and had no real power.
00:03:18I was his companion and nothing more than a prop.
00:03:20What they didn't know was that the most dangerous hunter is the one who looks the most harmless.
00:03:24I set my glass down and stood up from Dante's lap.
00:03:27Tired.
00:03:28He looked up at me.
00:03:29I'll head home.
00:03:30I'll have someone drive you.
00:03:32No need.
00:03:33I'll call a car.
00:03:34I picked up my bag and walked toward the door.
00:03:36As I pulled it open, I heard someone say one last thing in Italian behind me.
00:03:40Non ti preoccupare.
00:03:41Non sam niente.
00:03:42I let the door close behind me.
00:03:44I knew everything.
00:03:46I knew who Scarlett was.
00:03:48I knew that woman had been living in the apartment.
00:03:50Dante bought her for the past month.
00:03:52I knew the entire family had been laughing behind my back,
00:03:55calling me a fool who couldn't see what was in front of her.
00:03:57But I wouldn't cry.
00:03:58I wouldn't rage.
00:03:59I wouldn't ask him a single question.
00:04:01Ten days from now, they would all believe I was dead.
00:04:04And Dante Moretti would spend the rest of his life remembering every word he said tonight.
00:04:15I walked out of that building like a ghost.
00:04:18A cab idled at the curb.
00:04:20I pulled open the door and gave the address.
00:04:23Thirty minutes later, I was standing in the living room of our penthouse apartment.
00:04:27Our home.
00:04:28That was what Dante called it when he bought this place.
00:04:30The air inside was thick with his present cigars.
00:04:34Whiskey.
00:04:34The particular aftershave he wore.
00:04:36I used to find that smell comforting.
00:04:41Now it made my skin crawl.
00:04:43I started packing.
00:04:45The bedroom first.
00:04:48On the nightstand sat the only photo of us together.
00:04:51The one taken on the yacht.
00:04:52He had his arm around me.
00:04:54And I was laughing so hard my eyes were nearly shut.
00:04:57That was two years ago.
00:04:58He had just been made godfather.
00:05:00And all of New York's underworld was saying his name.
00:05:03He'd had too much to drink that day.
00:05:05Held me close.
00:05:07And swore to God I was the only woman he would ever love.
00:05:10I picked up the frame.
00:05:12Opened the back.
00:05:12And slid the photo out.
00:05:15Then I tore it in half.
00:05:16His half went into the trash bag.
00:05:18My half I held in my fist.
00:05:19Into the walk-in closet.
00:05:21I opened the jewelry cabinet.
00:05:23Everything he had ever given me was in there.
00:05:25A diamond bracelet.
00:05:26A third anniversary gift.
00:05:28Ruby earrings.
00:05:29Bought last Christmas.
00:05:31A necklace he'd had custom made.
00:05:33The pendant engraved with my initials.
00:05:35One by one I took them out.
00:05:37One by one I dropped them in.
00:05:39The clothes too.
00:05:41He'd always said I looked best in the red dress.
00:05:43Made me wear it to every family gathering.
00:05:46The fur coat he'd draped over my shoulders himself.
00:05:48Claimed he'd brought it back from Milan.
00:05:50In the bags Herms Chanel.
00:05:52Limited editions from boutiques around the world.
00:05:54Ferried back by his men.
00:05:56All of it.
00:05:57Into the bag.
00:05:58When the bag was full, I dragged it to the elevator.
00:06:01Rode down.
00:06:03And heaved it into the dumpster.
00:06:06Back in the apartment, I poured a whiskey.
00:06:09The liquor burned down my throat.
00:06:10And made my eyes sting.
00:06:13I moved to the window.
00:06:14And looked out over New York.
00:06:16This city was everywhere his.
00:06:19The casino below.
00:06:20The container terminal at the port.
00:06:22The weapons depot in Brooklyn.
00:06:25He sat at the center of all of it.
00:06:27Controlling everything.
00:06:28Including what I used to be.
00:06:31That night, three years ago, came flooding back.
00:06:34I had been in New York for only three months.
00:06:37Running an errand for a friend at one of the dock warehouses.
00:06:41And gunshots.
00:06:42I didn't even understand what was happening.
00:06:50I just knew someone was yanking me backward by the arm.
00:06:53It was Dante.
00:06:55I didn't know who he was yet.
00:06:56All I knew was that he shoved me into a corner.
00:06:59And put himself between me and three bullets.
00:07:01One of those bullets hunched through his shoulder.
00:07:04His blood splattered warm across my face.
00:07:06He kept firing.
00:07:08One arm around me.
00:07:09The other shooting back.
00:07:10Shouting at his men to break through.
00:07:12He pinned me so tightly I couldn't move.
00:07:15And all I could hear was his heartbeat.
00:07:16Fast and hard.
00:07:18Like a drum.
00:07:19Then he collapsed against me.
00:07:21I was soaked in blood.
00:07:22And I thought he was dead.
00:07:23He looked up at me with what remained of his breath.
00:07:26And his mouth pulled into something that wasn't quite a smile.
00:07:30You're okay.
00:07:31That's what matters.
00:07:35I got him to the hospital.
00:07:48Six hours of surgery.
00:07:51When he came around, the first thing he did was ask if I was hurt.
00:07:55I put flowers on his nightstand.
00:07:57And asked him why he had saved me.
00:08:00He took my hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.
00:08:03Because you're the only person I've ever wanted to protect.
00:08:07After he was discharged, he pursued me for three months.
00:08:10I said no.
00:08:11And he stood outside my building and waited.
00:08:13One day it poured.
00:08:14And he stood there for three hours.
00:08:17Eventually I went downstairs and dragged him inside.
00:08:19He was soaked through.
00:08:20But he grinned like a kid.
00:08:22You finally let me in.
00:08:25He sent flowers every day.
00:08:27Picked me up from work every day.
00:08:29Said he loved me every day.
00:08:31I turned him down 99 times.
00:08:34On the 100th, he proposed.
00:08:36He went down on one knee.
00:08:38Those hands that could take a life at a thousand yards were shaking as they held the ring.
00:08:42I had never seen him like that.
00:08:44The youngest godfather in New York Mafia history.
00:08:47A man who killed without blinking.
00:08:49Kneeling in front of me.
00:08:51And barely able to form words.
00:08:53Marry me.
00:08:54He said.
00:08:55I'll spend my life shielding you with mine.
00:08:58I said yes.
00:09:00The day he left the hospital, he held me.
00:09:03And whispered against my ear.
00:09:05You're my only weakness.
00:09:06And my armor.
00:09:08I thought that was an eternal vow.
00:09:10My phone buzzed.
00:09:16I thought that was an eternal vow.
00:09:18My phone buzzed.
00:09:19I picked it up and opened the recording I had copied.
00:09:23Dante's call last night.
00:09:24From inside Scarlet's apartment.
00:09:26I pressed play.
00:09:27You like it?
00:09:28His voice.
00:09:29Low and graveled.
00:09:30Scarlet's laugh.
00:09:30I love it.
00:09:32Dante, does your wife know you're like this?
00:09:35Don't bring her up.
00:09:37Why not?
00:09:38Isn't she your one and only?
00:09:40Dante laughed.
00:09:41A laugh I had never heard from him.
00:09:43Relaxed.
00:09:44Unguarded.
00:09:47She's the one I keep at home.
00:09:48You're the one who lets me breathe.
00:09:50Different things.
00:09:52How different?
00:09:54She'll always be my wife.
00:09:56But you?
00:09:57His voice dropped.
00:09:59You make me want to let go.
00:10:01You're not afraid she'll find out.
00:10:04Her.
00:10:04She'll never find out.
00:10:06And even if she did,
00:10:09what could she do?
00:10:10She couldn't survive without me.
00:10:13The recording kept going.
00:10:15I didn't want to hear anymore.
00:10:17The man who had taken a bullet for me.
00:10:20The man who had stood in the rain waiting for me to say yes.
00:10:23The man who told me I was his armor.
00:10:26That man was lying.
00:10:27In another woman's bed.
00:10:30I set the phone on the table.
00:10:32My fingers brushed something cold.
00:10:34The engagement ring.
00:10:35Three years on my hand.
00:10:37Taken off only just now.
00:10:38I walked to the window.
00:10:43And threw it out.
00:10:44The man who had shielded me with his body.
00:10:46The man who had called me his only one.
00:10:48The man who had made me believe in love.
00:10:50He had changed.
00:10:51Or maybe he had always been this way.
00:10:53And I was only seeing it clearly now.
00:10:59The next afternoon at two,
00:11:01Dante's car pulled up in front of the building.
00:11:03When I got in,
00:11:04he leaned over out of habit
00:11:05and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
00:11:07I pulled back.
00:11:09He went still.
00:11:10I caught the flash of hurt in his eyes,
00:11:12which struck me as almost funny.
00:11:13He was the one who had betrayed me first.
00:11:16And here he was,
00:11:17genuinely wounded.
00:11:18Nothing's wrong,
00:11:19I said.
00:11:20Just a bit of a headache.
00:11:22He relaxed.
00:11:23I want to show you something.
00:11:25You'll see when we get there.
00:11:27He said.
00:11:28He held my hand the entire ride,
00:11:30thumb brushing slow circles across my knuckles.
00:11:32His habitual small gesture.
00:11:34I used to think it was intimacy.
00:11:36Now it just felt like irony.
00:11:38The car turned into a warehouse,
00:11:40wound between rows of cargo containers,
00:11:42and stopped in front of a steel door.
00:11:44The door opened onto a staircase
00:11:46that led two flights down.
00:11:48And then the space opened up
00:11:50into something unexpected.
00:11:51An underground shooting range.
00:11:53Twenty or so people were already there.
00:11:55The core of the family.
00:11:56Luca.
00:11:57Gacisere.
00:11:58A handful of district captains
00:11:59whose names I had never bothered to learn.
00:12:01They all stopped talking
00:12:02when we walked in.
00:12:05Dante led me forward by the hand.
00:12:06His grip warm and tight.
00:12:08Cesare called out.
00:12:09Boss!
00:12:10Heard the delivery came in.
00:12:12Let's see it.
00:12:13Dante ignored him
00:12:14and brought me to the long table
00:12:15in the center of the range.
00:12:17A black metal case sat on the table.
00:12:20Solid craftsmanship.
00:12:21Copper banded at the corners.
00:12:23He let go of my hand
00:12:24and entered the code.
00:12:25A click.
00:12:26The lid opened.
00:12:29Inside, lay a gun.
00:12:31Silver, small and elegant.
00:12:33The grip inlaid with dark filigree
00:12:35that caught the light
00:12:35in tiny scattered glints.
00:12:37Dante lifted it out
00:12:38and turned to face me.
00:12:40Come here.
00:12:42Come here.
00:12:43Come here.
00:12:46Come here.
00:12:47I walked over.
00:12:49Every eye in the room was on me.
00:12:51He placed the gun in my hands.
00:12:54The curve of the grip
00:12:55settled perfectly against my palm.
00:12:57The weight was right too.
00:12:58A little lighter
00:12:59than what I trained with before.
00:13:01I tested the trigger.
00:13:02The pull was just right.
00:13:04No need to force it.
00:13:05He had memorized the size of my hands.
00:13:07Remembered the grip I preferred.
00:13:09Knew exactly how heavy
00:13:10I liked a gun to be.
00:13:11He had brought me here many times
00:13:13over the past three years.
00:13:14Every session side by side,
00:13:15shot by shot.
00:13:16Until we had built something
00:13:17like fluency in each other's habits.
00:13:19He kept a record of all of them.
00:13:20Custom made to your specifications.
00:13:22He said,
00:13:23Right-handed grip.
00:13:25Barrel rifled one degree left.
00:13:27The best gunsmith in Italy.
00:13:28Handmade.
00:13:29Three months in the making.
00:13:31There isn't another one
00:13:32like it in the world.
00:13:34I looked down.
00:13:35Along the grip,
00:13:36etched in fine flowing script,
00:13:38were two letters.
00:13:39VR.
00:13:40My initials.
00:13:41The room erupted.
00:13:43The boss never gave a woman
00:13:45a gun before,
00:13:45and it's custom.
00:13:46I've been with him ten years.
00:13:47I've never got this treatment.
00:13:51Viviana,
00:13:52do you know what this thing is worth?
00:13:53You could buy a Manhattan apartment
00:13:55with that money.
00:13:57Dante smiled and raised one hand.
00:13:58The room quieted.
00:14:00That gun is yours.
00:14:01He said,
00:14:02not loud,
00:14:02but the whole range could hear him.
00:14:04Nobody touches it
00:14:05without my permission.
00:14:07Are we clear?
00:14:09I looked up at him.
00:14:10There was a smile in his eyes,
00:14:11but something else beneath it.
00:14:13That possessiveness of his.
00:14:15The pride of claiming ownership
00:14:16in front of everyone he commanded.
00:14:17Clear.
00:14:18I said,
00:14:20he nodded,
00:14:21satisfied.
00:14:22Then he stepped behind me,
00:14:23closed his hands over mine,
00:14:24and we held the gun together.
00:14:26His chest was against my back.
00:14:29Warm.
00:14:30Three years ago,
00:14:31this would have made my pulse race.
00:14:33Now all I can think about
00:14:34is the recording from last night.
00:14:37Does he press himself
00:14:38against her the same way?
00:14:40Speak in that low,
00:14:41gentle voice into her ear?
00:14:43Line up the sights.
00:14:44Aim for center.
00:14:46Ten rings.
00:14:47When the magazine ran dry,
00:14:49I turned to face him.
00:14:56His eyes were full of pride.
00:14:58The kind that says
00:14:59I trained her myself.
00:15:00He pulled me into him
00:15:01and bent his head
00:15:02to kiss my hair.
00:15:03I breathed in the smell of him
00:15:04and could only think about
00:15:06how that same smell
00:15:07had clung to another woman
00:15:08last night.
00:15:10The others were already clamoring
00:15:11to go drinking.
00:15:12Dante walked out
00:15:13with his arm around me,
00:15:14the district captains
00:15:15trailing behind,
00:15:16still debating
00:15:17my last few shots.
00:15:18We were at the warehouse entrance
00:15:20when his phone rang.
00:15:22He glanced at the screen
00:15:23and his expression shifted
00:15:25just for a moment,
00:15:26but I saw it,
00:15:27that pleased,
00:15:28loosened look
00:15:28instantly suppressed,
00:15:29replaced by something
00:15:30carefully arranged
00:15:31to look like concern.
00:15:33Yeah.
00:15:34He listened for a few seconds.
00:15:36Got it.
00:15:37I'm on my way.
00:15:39He ended the call
00:15:40and looked at me.
00:15:41His face carried
00:15:42that specific blend
00:15:43of apology and urgency
00:15:45he wore so well.
00:15:46Vivian,
00:15:47there's a problem
00:15:48down at the port.
00:15:49I have to go handle it.
00:15:51Cesar will take you home.
00:15:53I didn't tell him
00:15:54I'd heard Scarlet's voice
00:15:55in the background.
00:15:57God, he was good.
00:16:00Come on,
00:16:01I'll drive you.
00:16:02Cesar stepped forward.
00:16:03I followed him
00:16:04to the other car.
00:16:06Before I got in,
00:16:08I glanced back.
00:16:10At the corner,
00:16:11a red sports car
00:16:12was parked
00:16:13with its lights on.
00:16:14A Porsche,
00:16:15new model.
00:16:15I couldn't make out
00:16:16the face inside,
00:16:17but I could see
00:16:18the long blonde hair.
00:16:19Scarlet's car.
00:16:20I had seen it once before,
00:16:21last week on Dante's phone.
00:16:23Scarlet had sent him
00:16:24a photo of herself
00:16:24leaning against the hood,
00:16:26smiling with a caption
00:16:27that read,
00:16:27Come pick me up.
00:16:28He wasn't going
00:16:29to the port.
00:16:30That shipment
00:16:31had arrived
00:16:31three days ago.
00:16:33Luca had reported
00:16:34last night
00:16:34that everything was fine.
00:16:36He was going to her.
00:16:38Three months ago,
00:16:39Scarlet had appeared
00:16:40in his life.
00:16:41He had been commissioning
00:16:42custom gifts for me
00:16:43while texting her,
00:16:44memorizing my shooting habits
00:16:45while figuring out
00:16:46how to get her into bed.
00:16:47I almost laughed at that.
00:16:48What was I laughing at?
00:16:50At how certain he was,
00:16:51I didn't know.
00:16:52At how convincing
00:16:53his performance had been.
00:16:54Or at myself,
00:16:55knowing everything perfectly
00:16:56and still feeling it
00:16:57like a punch to the chest
00:16:58when I saw that red car.
00:17:04The elevator doors opened.
00:17:07I walked into the apartment.
00:17:09Everything looked exactly
00:17:10as I'd left it.
00:17:11But something felt off
00:17:13the moment
00:17:13I stepped through the door.
00:17:15The air had changed.
00:17:17A trace of perfume.
00:17:19Faint, but real.
00:17:21Sweet and cloying.
00:17:22With a floral undertone.
00:17:25Not mine.
00:17:26I had never worn
00:17:27anything like that.
00:17:28I went into the bedroom.
00:17:31I had left in a hurry
00:17:32that morning.
00:17:33The comforter shoved aside.
00:17:34Pillows askew.
00:17:36Now the bedding was smooth.
00:17:37Both pillows set neatly
00:17:39side by side.
00:17:40The corners tucked.
00:17:41Someone had been here.
00:17:43Someone had come
00:17:43into my bedroom
00:17:44and touched my bed.
00:17:46I checked the wardrobe.
00:17:49All my clothes were hanging
00:17:50where I'd left them.
00:17:51Undisturbed.
00:17:52I exhaled
00:17:53and was about to turn away
00:17:55when something caught
00:17:56the edge of my vision.
00:17:57On the innermost shelf.
00:17:59A single high heel.
00:18:01Red stiletto.
00:18:02The vamp glittering
00:18:03with rhinestones.
00:18:05Not my size.
00:18:06Not my style.
00:18:08I had never owned
00:18:09anything like it.
00:18:10She had left it here.
00:18:11On purpose.
00:18:12This apartment
00:18:13was Dante's private ground.
00:18:15In three years,
00:18:16I had never seen
00:18:17a single family member
00:18:18set foot inside
00:18:19without being invited.
00:18:21Even Luca called ahead
00:18:22and waited at the door.
00:18:24Cicere only ever
00:18:25delivered things
00:18:26to the lobby downstairs.
00:18:27Anyone else
00:18:28didn't even come
00:18:28into the building.
00:18:30And yet someone
00:18:31had been inside.
00:18:32A woman.
00:18:33Wearing perfume
00:18:34I would never wear.
00:18:35Shoes I would never own.
00:18:36And she had made herself
00:18:37at home in my bed.
00:18:46I picked up my phone
00:18:48and almost called Dante.
00:18:49Then I didn't.
00:18:50What would I even say?
00:18:52Did you bring
00:18:53another woman here?
00:18:54He would say no.
00:18:55He'd say I was
00:18:56imagining things.
00:18:57He'd say that must be
00:18:58the cleaning lady's perfume.
00:19:00He would perform it
00:19:01flawlessly.
00:19:02He always did.
00:19:03The nausea rose again.
00:19:05She had been here.
00:19:06Maybe yesterday.
00:19:07Maybe this very afternoon.
00:19:09I went to the guest room
00:19:11and closed the door.
00:19:12It smelled faintly of dust.
00:19:14No one had slept here
00:19:15in a long time.
00:19:16But it was better
00:19:17than the bedroom.
00:19:18No perfume.
00:19:19No sign of anyone.
00:19:20I lay down
00:19:21and stared at the ceiling.
00:19:22My phone buzzed.
00:19:23A message from Dante.
00:19:25Asleep already?
00:19:27I looked at those two words
00:19:28and tried to picture
00:19:29where he was
00:19:30when he sent them.
00:19:31In his car?
00:19:31In her apartment?
00:19:33Just out of her bed?
00:19:34I typed back.
00:19:36Yes.
00:19:36His call came through
00:19:37immediately.
00:19:38I watched his name
00:19:39on the screen.
00:19:41Hesitated two seconds.
00:19:42Picked up.
00:19:43You're asleep
00:19:44and you still answered?
00:19:46There was a smile
00:19:46in his voice.
00:19:47He woke me up.
00:19:49I miss you.
00:19:50He said.
00:19:50I'll definitely come home
00:19:52early tomorrow
00:19:52to be with you.
00:19:53I closed my eyes.
00:19:54Okay.
00:19:55He would come home
00:19:56wearing her perfume
00:19:58maybe with a mark
00:19:59on his neck
00:20:00with that gentle face
00:20:01of his
00:20:02telling me he had missed me.
00:20:04And I
00:20:04would pretend
00:20:06I had no idea.
00:20:12When I came downstairs
00:20:14the next morning
00:20:14Dante was already
00:20:15at the table.
00:20:16He stood up
00:20:17when he saw me
00:20:18and crossed the room
00:20:18to hold me.
00:20:25Got back late
00:20:26last night.
00:20:27Hope I didn't
00:20:27disturb you.
00:20:28No.
00:20:29I said.
00:20:30I slept soundly.
00:20:34He walked me
00:20:34to the table
00:20:35and pulled out
00:20:35my chair.
00:20:38The coffee was hot.
00:20:39The toast was golden.
00:20:41He had buttered it himself
00:20:42and set it on my plate.
00:20:44Three years
00:20:44every time he came home late
00:20:46the next morning
00:20:46looked like this.
00:20:48Attentive,
00:20:49solicitous,
00:20:50walking on eggshells.
00:20:53Only this time
00:20:54it was more than usual.
00:20:55Guilt from cheating
00:20:56maybe.
00:20:56Or the sense
00:20:57that I'd noticed something.
00:20:58I didn't care which.
00:21:03Get the situation
00:21:05sorted out last night.
00:21:06I asked.
00:21:06Yeah.
00:21:07That shipment at the port
00:21:08was a headache
00:21:09but we handled it.
00:21:11I nodded
00:21:12and took a bite of toast.
00:21:14He watched me eat.
00:21:15His fingers tapped
00:21:16lightly on the table.
00:21:17That was his nervous habit.
00:21:19Three years of watching him.
00:21:20I could read it easily.
00:21:22Vivian.
00:21:23He began.
00:21:23I want to make it up to you.
00:21:25I looked up.
00:21:27I've been neglecting you lately.
00:21:29Too much going on.
00:21:30This weekend
00:21:31let's go to the island.
00:21:33Just the two of us.
00:21:35He covered my hand
00:21:36with his expression
00:21:37doing something careful
00:21:38and deliberate.
00:21:40I have a surprise for you.
00:21:48That small island
00:21:49off Long Island
00:21:49he'd bought it
00:21:50two years ago.
00:21:51We had only been twice
00:21:52and neither time
00:21:53for more than a day.
00:21:55A surprise?
00:21:56I said.
00:21:57Beloved.
00:21:57He squeezed my hand.
00:21:58I promise.
00:22:01I looked at the expectation
00:22:02in his eyes.
00:22:03He thought I knew nothing.
00:22:05He thought a weekend getaway
00:22:06could patch over
00:22:07every late night
00:22:07he'd clocked lately.
00:22:09Alright.
00:22:10I said.
00:22:11He smiled and leaned in
00:22:12to kiss me.
00:22:13I closed my eyes
00:22:14behind them
00:22:15the red stiletto.
00:22:16The cloying perfume.
00:22:17The particular way
00:22:18he had smelled
00:22:19when he came home
00:22:19last night.
00:22:23I had a great deal
00:22:24to do in the next
00:22:24three days.
00:22:26On the first night
00:22:27Dante drank.
00:22:28He had always had
00:22:28a good head for liquor
00:22:29but he drank heavily
00:22:30that evening.
00:22:31Maybe guilt.
00:22:32Maybe shame.
00:22:33I didn't care
00:22:34about his reasons.
00:22:35I only needed him drunk.
00:22:36When he was out
00:22:37sprawled across the bed
00:22:38I took his phone
00:22:39lifted his right hand
00:22:40and pressed his thumb
00:22:41to the screen.
00:22:43Unlocked.
00:22:45I pulled up the documents
00:22:47I needed signed.
00:22:48One by one.
00:22:49Asset transfer paperwork
00:22:50I had spent the last
00:22:51few days preparing.
00:22:53More than enough
00:22:53to live on
00:22:54after I disappeared.
00:22:56I went back
00:22:56to the bedroom.
00:22:57He was half conscious
00:22:58mumbling something.
00:23:02Dante,
00:23:03I need your signature
00:23:04on a few things.
00:23:05I said softly.
00:23:07Sign what?
00:23:08He murmured.
00:23:10For the company.
00:23:12Luca said it's urgent.
00:23:14He nodded.
00:23:15I eased him upright
00:23:16and put a pen in his hand.
00:23:18Without looking
00:23:18at a single page
00:23:19he signed wherever I pointed.
00:23:23When the last signature
00:23:24was done
00:23:24he dropped back
00:23:25against the pillow
00:23:26and was fully out.
00:23:27I stood at the edge
00:23:28of the bed
00:23:29looking at him.
00:23:30Three years
00:23:31I had loved that face.
00:23:33That face had smiled at me
00:23:34and cried in front of me
00:23:35made promises to me.
00:23:37Last night
00:23:38it had been pressed
00:23:38against another woman's neck.
00:23:40No matter.
00:23:41This island trip
00:23:42would be my best
00:23:43opportunity.
00:23:45Two days from now
00:23:45gone for good.
00:23:48Goodbye Dante.
00:24:00Saturday night
00:24:01eight o'clock.
00:24:02Two suitcases
00:24:03stood side by side
00:24:05in the entryway.
00:24:06The boat to the island
00:24:07left first thing
00:24:08tomorrow morning.
00:24:09I was packed
00:24:09and ready.
00:24:11Dante was on the sofa
00:24:12taking a call
00:24:13his voice kept
00:24:14deliberately low
00:24:15but I was in the kitchen doorway
00:24:16pouring a glass of water
00:24:17and I caught
00:24:18and I caught the last
00:24:19few words anyway.
00:24:21Got it.
00:24:21I'm coming now.
00:24:23He hung up
00:24:24and came to find me
00:24:26wearing the expression
00:24:27I knew far too well.
00:24:30Apologetic,
00:24:30urgent
00:24:31and underneath it
00:24:32that almost invisible guilt.
00:24:37He laid his hand
00:24:38on my shoulder
00:24:39and gave it
00:24:39a gentle squeeze.
00:24:41Vivian
00:24:42I have to step out
00:24:43and handle something.
00:24:45I looked at him
00:24:45over the rim
00:24:46of my glass
00:24:46and said nothing.
00:24:48There's an emergency
00:24:49at the port.
00:24:50I have to go myself.
00:24:54We're leaving
00:24:55for the island
00:24:55first thing tomorrow morning.
00:24:56I said.
00:24:57I know.
00:24:58I'll deal with it
00:24:59and come straight
00:25:00to the island.
00:25:01You go ahead
00:25:02with the boat.
00:25:03I'll be there
00:25:03a few hours behind you.
00:25:04Liar.
00:25:05I looked at his eyes.
00:25:06Gray blue.
00:25:07Beautiful.
00:25:07Right now
00:25:08they carried
00:25:08a flicker of evasion
00:25:09but mostly
00:25:10that uncompromising certainty.
00:25:11The look of a man
00:25:13who has already
00:25:14made his choice
00:25:14and is merely
00:25:15informing you of it.
00:25:17But I wanted to try
00:25:18one last time
00:25:19for the sake
00:25:19of my three years
00:25:20to give him
00:25:21one final chance.
00:25:23Can't someone else go?
00:25:25Luca or Seseza?
00:25:27I heard something
00:25:28in my own voice.
00:25:29A plea I hadn't
00:25:30intended to let through.
00:25:31Something crossed his face.
00:25:32Quick,
00:25:33but I saw it.
00:25:34Luca's in Brooklyn
00:25:35dealing with something else.
00:25:36Chazari can't handle this one.
00:25:38He smiled.
00:25:39That soothing,
00:25:40coaxing smile.
00:25:41His hand came up
00:25:42to touch my face.
00:25:46Business stuff.
00:25:47You wouldn't understand it.
00:25:52It'll only be a few hours.
00:25:54I promise I'll spend
00:25:55all day with you tomorrow.
00:26:06I held his gaze
00:26:07for several seconds.
00:26:08His eyes slid sideways
00:26:10for just a moment.
00:26:11Then came back to me.
00:26:12I mean it.
00:26:14I promise.
00:26:16That's what you said
00:26:17last night too.
00:26:18Last chance, Dante.
00:26:20He exhaled
00:26:21and reached out
00:26:22to hold me.
00:26:22I stepped back.
00:26:24His arms stayed open
00:26:25in the air between us.
00:26:27This one is a real emergency.
00:26:29That cargo run,
00:26:30something's gone wrong
00:26:31with the shipment.
00:26:31If I don't deal with it tonight,
00:26:33the losses will be significant.
00:26:34What cargo?
00:26:39Just the port job.
00:26:41You know the one.
00:26:42I didn't.
00:26:43He had never told me
00:26:44the details of his business.
00:26:45He always said not to worry.
00:26:47Now he was using it
00:26:48as an excuse,
00:26:49knowing I had nothing
00:26:50to push back with.
00:26:51I nodded.
00:26:52Go ahead, then.
00:26:53He visibly relaxed.
00:26:55A smile broke across his face.
00:26:57He stepped forward
00:26:57and pulled me in.
00:26:59Thank you for understanding.
00:27:01I swear tomorrow is all yours.
00:27:04Anything you want
00:27:05on the island
00:27:06will do it.
00:27:07His chin rested
00:27:08on top of my head.
00:27:09His hand moved
00:27:10in slow, familiar circles
00:27:11on my back.
00:27:12He had done this
00:27:13thousands of times
00:27:13over three years.
00:27:15I used to think
00:27:15it was comfort.
00:27:16Now it felt like a courtesy.
00:27:21I love you.
00:27:22Wait for me.
00:27:23He said.
00:27:26He walked past me,
00:27:27picked up his coat
00:27:28from the entryway
00:27:29and pushed through the door.
00:27:35I went to the window
00:27:36and looked down.
00:27:38His black sedan
00:27:39was at the curb,
00:27:40the driver already
00:27:41holding the rear door open.
00:27:42And at the corner,
00:27:43under the street lamp,
00:27:44the red sports car
00:27:45was parked and waiting.
00:27:46I couldn't tell from here
00:27:47whether someone was inside,
00:27:49but I knew there was.
00:27:50That car was waiting for him.
00:27:51For her.
00:27:52He wasn't going to the port.
00:28:01I could picture it.
00:28:02He would get out of his car.
00:28:03She would come forward
00:28:04to meet him.
00:28:05He would pull her
00:28:06into his arms.
00:28:09I watched his sedan
00:28:10pull away.
00:28:11Then I watched
00:28:12the red car
00:28:12follow it and vanish.
00:28:18Then I went to the bedroom
00:28:19and took out the gun
00:28:20he had given me.
00:28:24I drove to the cliffs
00:28:25at the shore.
00:28:29The eastern tip
00:28:30of Long Island
00:28:30below black rocks
00:28:32and open sea.
00:28:33No one came here at night,
00:28:35just the wind
00:28:36and the sound of waves
00:28:37beating against the reef
00:28:38over and over.
00:28:39I parked at the roadside
00:28:40and walked to the edge
00:28:41with the gun.
00:28:41The wind was fierce enough
00:28:43to whip my hair
00:28:43across my face.
00:28:44All I could hear
00:28:45was the water.
00:28:46Far away
00:28:46and close at once
00:28:47like another world.
00:28:49I crouched down,
00:28:51took out the bag
00:28:51of blood I'd brought
00:28:52and poured it over the gun
00:28:53and across the rocks
00:28:54around it.
00:28:57I stood,
00:28:58stepped back,
00:28:59studied the scene.
00:29:00Then I drew the gun
00:29:00and fired once
00:29:01into the open air.
00:29:02Bang,
00:29:03the casing landed
00:29:03in the blood.
00:29:04I dropped the gun
00:29:05beside it.
00:29:06It struck the stone
00:29:07and left a dent
00:29:07on the barrel.
00:29:08Gun blood,
00:29:09casing.
00:29:09It looked like someone
00:29:10had come here
00:29:11to end their life
00:29:12and gone over the edge.
00:29:13The ash team
00:29:14would make sure
00:29:14everything else
00:29:15was perfect.
00:29:16By morning someone
00:29:16would find it,
00:29:17the police would be called.
00:29:18He would be notified.
00:29:19I stood there
00:29:20a moment longer,
00:29:21looking at what
00:29:21I'd left behind.
00:29:22Then I turned
00:29:23and walked back
00:29:23to the car.
00:29:24I didn't look back.
00:29:35At three in the morning
00:29:36I pulled into
00:29:37the airport
00:29:37parking structure,
00:29:38grabbed my bags
00:29:39and walked
00:29:39into the terminal.
00:29:41I found the check-in counter.
00:29:43Good evening.
00:29:44A one-way ticket
00:29:45to Zurich.
00:29:46The agent glanced
00:29:47at my passport
00:29:47and tapped
00:29:48at her keyboard.
00:29:49Miss Phoenix,
00:29:50your flight departs
00:29:51at six.
00:29:52You can check
00:29:52your luggage now.
00:29:55Yes.
00:29:56Have a pleasant journey.
00:30:01I took the boarding pass
00:30:02and walked
00:30:03toward security.
00:30:04My phone was still
00:30:05in my pocket.
00:30:05I took it out
00:30:06and dropped it
00:30:07into the trash
00:30:07on my way through.
00:30:10Goodbye, Dante.
00:30:11Goodbye to your world
00:30:12of lies and deceit.
00:30:19The plane began
00:30:20to taxi.
00:30:21Then it accelerated
00:30:22and lifted off.
00:30:23New York shrank
00:30:23below the window.
00:30:24The towers
00:30:25the streets
00:30:26the places I had lived
00:30:27for three years
00:30:28the world that belonged
00:30:29to Dante Moretti.
00:30:30In ten hours
00:30:31I would wake up
00:30:32in another country.
00:30:33No Dante.
00:30:33No scarlet.
00:30:34No lies.
00:30:35No betrayal.
00:30:36He would spend
00:30:36the rest of his life
00:30:37remembering that the night
00:30:38he chose to leave
00:30:39his wife had walked
00:30:40to the sea
00:30:40and never come back.
00:30:41The next morning at ten
00:30:42Dante's boat docked
00:30:44at the pier
00:30:44of the private island.
00:30:45The sun was strong
00:30:46the water a brilliant blue.
00:30:48Dante jumped off the bow
00:30:49bodyguards behind him
00:30:50a bunch of white roses
00:30:51in his hand.
00:30:52He'd had them flown in
00:30:53for Manhattan
00:30:53the night before.
00:30:55She here yet?
00:30:55He asked.
00:30:56The steward who came
00:30:56to meet him.
00:30:57The steward's face
00:30:58was wrong.
00:30:58Sir,
00:30:59Miss Vivian hasn't arrived.
00:31:01Dante frowned.
00:31:02Hasn't arrived.
00:31:03The boat left at eight.
00:31:04The pier reports
00:31:05she never boarded.
00:31:06He pulled out.
00:31:06His phone and called her
00:31:07switched off.
00:31:08Called again.
00:31:09Still switched off.
00:31:10Send someone
00:31:10to check the apartment.
00:31:11He said it
00:31:12to the bodyguard
00:31:13behind him
00:31:13and kept walking
00:31:14toward the villa.
00:31:15She'd overslept probably.
00:31:17Missed the boat.
00:31:17Let her phone die.
00:31:18He kept telling himself
00:31:19things.
00:31:20Like that as he walked.
00:31:21The villa was on
00:31:22the eastern bluffs
00:31:23of the island
00:31:24three stories
00:31:24white floor
00:31:25to ceiling windows
00:31:26facing the sea.
00:31:28Dante pushed inside.
00:31:29The living room
00:31:30was empty.
00:31:31On the table
00:31:32sat a bottle of wine
00:31:33and two glasses.
00:31:35He had asked someone
00:31:36to set that up.
00:31:37He'd been planning
00:31:37to sit here
00:31:38with her tonight
00:31:39and watch the sun
00:31:40go down.
00:31:41His phone rang.
00:31:46Sir.
00:31:46No one at the apartment
00:31:48but we found
00:31:49something at the shore.
00:31:51What shore?
00:31:52Be specific.
00:31:53Two seconds of silence
00:31:54on the line.
00:31:55The bluffs
00:31:55on the eastern end
00:31:56of Long Island.
00:31:57You should come
00:31:58see this yourself.
00:31:59Three hours later
00:31:59Dante stood at the edge
00:32:01of those cliffs.
00:32:01The sun had shifted west.
00:32:03The sea wind tore
00:32:04at his hair.
00:32:05He looked down
00:32:06at what lay on the rocks.
00:32:07A gun, silver.
00:32:08The grip engraved
00:32:09with VR.
00:32:10The one he had given her.
00:32:11The stones around
00:32:11the gun were stained.
00:32:13Dark red brown
00:32:14dried now.
00:32:18A white silk scarf
00:32:20soaked through
00:32:20had blown into
00:32:21the scrub at the edge.
00:32:22He crouched and reached
00:32:24for the gun.
00:32:24The instant.
00:32:25His fingers touched
00:32:26the metal.
00:32:27His entire body
00:32:28went rigid.
00:32:29Sir.
00:32:29The bodyguard
00:32:30behind him said.
00:32:32We received a report
00:32:33this morning.
00:32:34Someone spotted blood
00:32:36at the base of the cliffs.
00:32:37The Coast Guard
00:32:38is conducting a search.
00:32:39Dante said nothing.
00:32:40He stared at the gun.
00:32:41At the blood.
00:32:42At the scarf.
00:32:43She had been here
00:32:44last night.
00:32:44With his gun.
00:32:45He saw it in his mind
00:32:46the moment he'd left
00:32:47the apartment.
00:32:48She had been standing
00:32:49at the window
00:32:50looking down at the street.
00:32:51When he'd settled
00:32:52into the car,
00:32:53had he glanced back?
00:32:54He hadn't.
00:32:55He had told his driver
00:32:56to take him straight
00:32:57to Scarlet's.
00:32:59Sir.
00:32:59The bodyguard's voice came
00:33:01from far away.
00:33:02Dante stood up,
00:33:03turned and walked
00:33:04toward the car,
00:33:05moving fast.
00:33:06Sir, where to?
00:33:08The island.
00:33:10Now.
00:33:12It was nearly six
00:33:13by the time
00:33:14the boat reached
00:33:14the island again.
00:33:15The sun was sinking,
00:33:17turning the water red.
00:33:18Dante went through
00:33:19the villa room by room.
00:33:20Bedroom empty.
00:33:21Her luggage gone.
00:33:23Bathroom.
00:33:23Her skin care things gone.
00:33:25Wardrobe.
00:33:26Her clothes.
00:33:27All gone.
00:33:27He stood in the middle
00:33:28of the empty wardrobe
00:33:29and looked at the bare racks.
00:33:31Three months ago
00:33:32when he'd commissioned the gun,
00:33:34she had smiled
00:33:34and said thank you.
00:33:36Two weeks ago,
00:33:36he had brought her
00:33:37to the shooting range
00:33:38and she had fired ten rings
00:33:40and he had told everyone
00:33:41in the room,
00:33:41she is mine.
00:33:42Last night when he left,
00:33:43she had been standing
00:33:44at the window.
00:33:45Watching the street below,
00:33:46he had assumed
00:33:47she would be there.
00:33:48When he got back,
00:33:49he went to the living room
00:33:50and grabbed his cracked phone.
00:33:51Luca,
00:33:52I need you to check everything.
00:33:53Every airline,
00:33:54every exit record,
00:33:54her credit cards,
00:33:55bank accounts,
00:33:56anyone she's been
00:33:57in contact with recently.
00:33:58Boss,
00:33:59what happened?
00:34:02She's gone.
00:34:08Who?
00:34:11Vivian.
00:34:12He hung up and hurled
00:34:13the phone at the wall.
00:34:14It bounced off
00:34:15and landed on the floor.
00:34:16Screen shattered.
00:34:17The bodyguard stood
00:34:18in the doorway
00:34:19and didn't dare come in.
00:34:20Dante moved to the window
00:34:21and stared out at the sea.
00:34:23The sky was going dark.
00:34:24Waves beat against
00:34:25the rocks below.
00:34:26She had stood
00:34:26at the sea last night,
00:34:28alone,
00:34:28with that gun.
00:34:29His phone buzzed
00:34:30from the corner,
00:34:31Luca calling back.
00:34:32He walked over
00:34:32and picked it up.
00:34:33The screen was cracked
00:34:34but still worked.
00:34:35Boss,
00:34:36nothing.
00:34:37No records of anything.
00:34:39Luca,
00:34:40her credit card
00:34:40went dark
00:34:40after yesterday.
00:34:42Her bank account
00:34:42transferred $2 million
00:34:43to an anonymous account
00:34:45in Switzerland.
00:34:46No airline
00:34:47has any record
00:34:48of her leaving.
00:34:49What do you mean,
00:34:51no record?
00:34:53Could be a fake ID
00:34:54if she'd been planning
00:34:55this ahead of time.
00:34:56Luca didn't finish
00:34:57the sentence.
00:34:58Dante ended the call.
00:35:00He went to the bedroom
00:35:00and lay down on the bed.
00:35:02The sheets still carried
00:35:03the faint smell
00:35:04of her laundry soap.
00:35:05He pressed his face
00:35:06into the pillow.
00:35:07The door opened.
00:35:08The click of heels
00:35:08on the floor.
00:35:10Dante.
00:35:10He looked up.
00:35:12Scarlet stood in the doorway
00:35:13in a red dress,
00:35:14bag on her arm.
00:35:16I heard something happened.
00:35:18Are you alright?
00:35:19Dante looked at her
00:35:20for a few seconds.
00:35:21Then he got up
00:35:22and crossed the room.
00:35:24How did you get in?
00:35:28The door was open,
00:35:29so I just...
00:35:31He grabbed her arm
00:35:32and pushed her
00:35:32toward the exit.
00:35:33She shrieked
00:35:34and stumbled,
00:35:35one heel twisting
00:35:36and nearly fell.
00:35:37Get out.
00:35:40Dante,
00:35:40I only wanted to...
00:35:41Get out!
00:35:45The words came out
00:35:46loud enough
00:35:46to startle even him.
00:35:47Scarlet scrambled
00:35:48to her feet and ran.
00:35:49He stood in the middle
00:35:50of the living room,
00:35:51breathing hard.
00:35:56Then something occurred
00:35:57to him.
00:35:57He turned and went
00:35:58to the guest room.
00:35:59He pushed the door open.
00:36:00Everything in order.
00:36:01Bed made.
00:36:02Curtains drawn.
00:36:03He went to the wardrobe
00:36:04and opened it.
00:36:05A nightgown hung inside.
00:36:07White silk.
00:36:07She wore it sometime.
00:36:08Just the one.
00:36:09He took it down.
00:36:10Silk cool and smooth.
00:36:11Carrying the faintest trace
00:36:13of her.
00:36:13He sat on the edge
00:36:14of the bed.
00:36:14He held the nightgown
00:36:15in both hands
00:36:16and stayed there.
00:36:17Head bowed motionless.
00:36:18Outside.
00:36:19The sky went completely dark.
00:36:21Waves came in
00:36:22off the water.
00:36:22Steady and rhythmic.
00:36:23His shoulders began
00:36:24to shake.
00:36:24Then he broke.
00:36:25He bent over.
00:36:26Forehead pressing
00:36:26to his knees.
00:36:27Holding that silk nightgown.
00:36:29Crying until he couldn't breathe.
00:36:31She was gone.
00:36:32She had planned it
00:36:32all well in advance.
00:36:33She had waited
00:36:34until he left.
00:36:35Driven to the shore.
00:36:36Used his gun.
00:36:36When he had walked
00:36:37out the door.
00:36:37She had been standing
00:36:38at the window.
00:36:39Watching him.
00:36:40He had ducked
00:36:41into the car.
00:36:41The car pulled away.
00:36:42She had stood there
00:36:43until it disappeared
00:36:44then turned
00:36:44and picked up her back.
00:36:45What had she been thinking?
00:36:47He kept seeing her face
00:36:48the way she had looked
00:36:49at him one last time.
00:36:51The light had been behind her
00:36:52and he hadn't been able
00:36:53to read her expression.
00:36:55He could read it now.
00:36:56It hadn't been anger.
00:36:57It hadn't been disappointment.
00:36:59It had been goodbye.
00:37:01Scarlet appeared
00:37:01in front of Dante again
00:37:03one week later.
00:37:04He had just come back
00:37:05from the shore
00:37:06soaked through.
00:37:07The coast guard
00:37:07had been searching
00:37:08for three days
00:37:09and found nothing.
00:37:10They told him
00:37:11he should accept the reality.
00:37:13Nobody survived
00:37:13those conditions.
00:37:14He didn't accept it.
00:37:15He sent everyone away
00:37:16and drove to the shore alone
00:37:18and stood there
00:37:19for an entire day.
00:37:24He came back
00:37:25to the apartment
00:37:25after dark
00:37:26when he pushed
00:37:27the door open.
00:37:28Scarlet was sitting
00:37:29on the living room sofa.
00:37:30Black dress,
00:37:31careful makeup,
00:37:32hair down,
00:37:32a bottle of wine
00:37:34and two glasses
00:37:34on the coffee table.
00:37:36How did you get in?
00:37:38Your bodyguard knows me.
00:37:39She stood and took
00:37:40two steps toward him.
00:37:43Dante,
00:37:44I saw the news.
00:37:45I'm so sorry.
00:37:46He looked at her
00:37:47without speaking.
00:37:48I know you're hurting
00:37:49right now,
00:37:50she said softly.
00:37:51But you can't keep
00:37:52doing this to yourself.
00:37:54You need someone with you.
00:37:56He pulled off
00:37:56his soap jacket
00:37:57and dropped it
00:37:58on the floor.
00:37:59What do you want?
00:38:00Scarlet moved closer
00:38:01and raised her hand
00:38:02toward his face.
00:38:03He stepped back.
00:38:05She stopped.
00:38:06Then she smiled
00:38:06a gentle,
00:38:07slightly wounded smile.
00:38:09I want to be here
00:38:09for you.
00:38:10I've been worried
00:38:11about you all week.
00:38:12Another step forward.
00:38:13Don't bother.
00:38:14Dante,
00:38:15I know losing her
00:38:16is devastating,
00:38:17but life goes on.
00:38:18You still have me.
00:38:20He looked at her.
00:38:21Have what?
00:38:22I can take care of you.
00:38:24We could be together.
00:38:25I know you might not
00:38:26want to hear this now,
00:38:28but time heals everything.
00:38:31After a while...
00:38:32After a while,
00:38:33what?
00:38:35We could start something.
00:38:36Dante held her gaze
00:38:37for a moment.
00:38:38Then he laughed.
00:38:38And the sound of it
00:38:39made Scarlet.
00:38:40Take a step back.
00:38:42Start what?
00:38:45Just us,
00:38:46she gestured vaguely
00:38:47between them.
00:38:47I know this might be
00:38:48too soon,
00:38:49but I just want you to know
00:38:50I'm willing to be there
00:38:51for you.
00:38:52You don't have to
00:38:53carry this alone.
00:38:55You think you can
00:38:56replace her?
00:38:59Scarlet bit her lip.
00:39:01I'm not saying
00:39:02replace her.
00:39:03I just want to...
00:39:04You want to take her place.
00:39:05She went quiet.
00:39:07Dante walked toward her.
00:39:09Slowly.
00:39:10Each step deliberate.
00:39:12Scarlet retreated
00:39:13until the back
00:39:13of her knees
00:39:14hit the sofa.
00:39:15And she couldn't
00:39:16go further.
00:39:21Do you know
00:39:21what kind of person
00:39:22she was?
00:39:23His voice was very low.
00:39:25She was with me
00:39:26for three years.
00:39:28Three years
00:39:29and she never
00:39:30complained once.
00:39:33I left in the middle
00:39:34of the night
00:39:35and she never asked
00:39:35where I was going.
00:39:36Whatever I was doing
00:39:37outside,
00:39:38she never once pried.
00:39:39Scarlet opened her mouth.
00:39:41No sound came out.
00:39:42I gave her that gun.
00:39:44She practiced
00:39:45until she shot
00:39:45ten rings.
00:39:46I said in front
00:39:47of everyone,
00:39:49she's mine.
00:39:51And she smiled.
00:39:52He stood directly
00:39:53in front of her,
00:39:54looking down.
00:39:54And what are you?
00:39:57The color drained
00:39:58from Scarlet's face.
00:39:59You were the woman
00:40:00I kept on the outside
00:40:01for amusement.
00:40:02He spoke each word
00:40:04with surgical precision.
00:40:05You're comparing
00:40:06yourself to her?
00:40:07What exactly
00:40:08would you be comparing?
00:40:10Scarlet's eyes
00:40:10went red.
00:40:11Dante,
00:40:12I know you're not
00:40:12in a stable place
00:40:13right now.
00:40:14I'm perfectly stable.
00:40:16He cut her off.
00:40:17More stable
00:40:18than I've ever been
00:40:19in my life.
00:40:21Listen to what I'm saying.
00:40:22He pointed at the door.
00:40:24Don't come back here.
00:40:25Don't call me.
00:40:26Don't let me see
00:40:27your face again.
00:40:28A tear slid down
00:40:29Scarlet's cheek.
00:40:30I love you.
00:40:31He laughed,
00:40:32and something in that
00:40:33laugh rooted her
00:40:34to the floor.
00:40:35You love me.
00:40:37He leaned down
00:40:38until he was level
00:40:39with her face.
00:40:40You love my money,
00:40:41my position,
00:40:42the apartment
00:40:43and the bags
00:40:44I bought you.
00:40:45You have never
00:40:46loved me.
00:40:47That's not true.
00:40:49Do you know
00:40:49what she loved?
00:40:50She loved me.
00:40:53Three years ago,
00:40:54I was nothing.
00:40:55Just some
00:40:56blood-stained thug.
00:40:58She came with me anyway,
00:40:59and she never once
00:41:00asked what I could
00:41:01give her.
00:41:02He straightened.
00:41:03Leave.
00:41:05Scarlet stood there
00:41:06without moving.
00:41:08He walked to the door
00:41:09and held it open.
00:41:13Don't make me call
00:41:14someone in.
00:41:15She stared at him,
00:41:16lips trembling.
00:41:17Then she picked up
00:41:18her bag and walked
00:41:19out quickly.
00:41:20As she passed him,
00:41:21she stopped.
00:41:23Dante.
00:41:25She's dead.
00:41:26Wake up.
00:41:27He looked at her.
00:41:28That one look
00:41:29sent a cold shock
00:41:30down Scarlet's spine
00:41:31she had never seen.
00:41:32That kind of emptiness
00:41:33in another human being's
00:41:34eyes, hollow and utterly
00:41:35still, but somehow
00:41:36terrifying.
00:41:36She turned and ran.
00:41:38The door closed.
00:41:39Dante stood in the
00:41:39entryway without moving.
00:41:44After a long time,
00:41:46he went back to the
00:41:46living room and sat
00:41:47down.
00:41:48The bottle of wine
00:41:49still stood.
00:41:50On the coffee table,
00:41:51the two glasses
00:41:52side by side.
00:41:53He stared at them
00:41:54for a long time.
00:41:55Then he picked one up
00:41:56and hurled it at the
00:41:57floor.
00:41:57Glass exploded
00:41:58across the room.
00:41:59He got up,
00:42:00went to the guest room,
00:42:01and took the white silk
00:42:03nightgown from the
00:42:03wardrobe.
00:42:04He sat on the edge
00:42:05of the bed and held it.
00:42:06Outside,
00:42:07a siren wailed,
00:42:08coming closer
00:42:09than fading.
00:42:10He looked out the window.
00:42:11The sky was fully dark.
00:42:15Six weeks later,
00:42:17St. Catherine,
00:42:18Louisiana.
00:42:20Sunlight filtered
00:42:21through the sycamore leaves
00:42:22and scattered across
00:42:23the dirt road in uneven
00:42:24patches of light and
00:42:25shadow.
00:42:30A pickup truck rattled
00:42:32past.
00:42:32The bed loaded
00:42:33with hay bales.
00:42:34The old man driving it
00:42:35gave a short press of the
00:42:36horn as he went by.
00:42:38I nodded and kept
00:42:39walking.
00:42:39The main street wasn't
00:42:40long, a few shops
00:42:41on either side,
00:42:42a general store,
00:42:44a bakery,
00:42:44a second-hand bookshop.
00:42:46At the far end,
00:42:47a small white church
00:42:48with a bell in its
00:42:49steeple.
00:42:50The orphanage sat
00:42:51right next to the
00:42:52church.
00:42:54I had come here
00:42:55six weeks ago.
00:42:56Nothing but a new
00:42:57passport and some
00:42:58cash.
00:42:59When I walked into
00:43:00the church,
00:43:00the old priest had
00:43:01asked what I needed.
00:43:02I told him I was
00:43:03looking for somewhere
00:43:03to stay,
00:43:04somewhere I could be
00:43:05of use.
00:43:06He brought me here.
00:43:09The sister who ran
00:43:10this place passed
00:43:11away last month.
00:43:12He said,
00:43:14These children need
00:43:15someone.
00:43:17So I stayed.
00:43:19The children called me
00:43:20Sister Maria,
00:43:21though I wasn't a real
00:43:22nun.
00:43:23Nobody asked too many
00:43:24questions.
00:43:25Small towns don't pry.
00:43:27With the money I had
00:43:29brought out,
00:43:29I bought drawing paper
00:43:30and crayons and started
00:43:31teaching art.
00:43:33I cleared out the weeds
00:43:34in the yard and planted
00:43:35flowers.
00:43:37Repainted the common
00:43:38room.
00:43:40Hung new curtains.
00:43:42The orphanage,
00:43:44which had been falling
00:43:44apart at the seams,
00:43:45was now the prettiest
00:43:46building on the street.
00:43:48Sister Maria!
00:43:49A small girl held up
00:43:50her drawing.
00:43:51Look!
00:43:52The paper showed a figure
00:43:53with brown hair and a
00:43:54blue dress.
00:43:54Beside it,
00:43:55in unsteady letters,
00:43:56Maria.
00:44:00Is that me?
00:44:02She nodded.
00:44:05I picked her up and
00:44:06kissed her cheek.
00:44:09There was a knock at the
00:44:10door.
00:44:11I turned.
00:44:14A man stood in the frame,
00:44:16black shirt and trousers.
00:44:17A paper bag in one hand.
00:44:19Somewhere around thirty,
00:44:20dark hair.
00:44:21Light brown eyes.
00:44:23Hello?
00:44:23He said.
00:44:29I'm Michael,
00:44:30the new priest.
00:44:31It took me a second.
00:44:33The old priest had mentioned
00:44:34someone was coming to take over.
00:44:35Maria,
00:44:36I said.
00:44:37The children call me
00:44:38Sister Maria.
00:44:39He smiled.
00:44:40An easy,
00:44:41unhurried smile.
00:44:42I brought some food.
00:44:44He set the bag on the table.
00:44:46Just out of the oven at the bakery.
00:44:48The children swarmed the bag,
00:44:49cookies still warm.
00:44:51He turned and looked at me.
00:44:53His gaze was careful,
00:44:54as though he was afraid
00:44:55of disturbing something.
00:44:56After he left,
00:44:57the children went back
00:44:58to their drawings.
00:44:59I stood at the window
00:45:00and watched his figure
00:45:01disappear through the church doors.
00:45:04At three in the afternoon,
00:45:06I walked into town
00:45:07to buy paint.
00:45:08The woman at the general store
00:45:09greeted me and said
00:45:10the new priest was a good man.
00:45:12Had fixed the leaking roof
00:45:14on her house just yesterday.
00:45:16I smiled,
00:45:17paid for the paint,
00:45:19and headed out with the bag.
00:45:22I stopped at the community notice board
00:45:24in the town square.
00:45:25All sorts of things pinned up,
00:45:27lost and found.
00:45:29Rooms for rent,
00:45:30announcements from the church council.
00:45:32At the top was a sheet of paper
00:45:33that looked newly posted,
00:45:34its corners barely beginning to curl.
00:45:36It was large white,
00:45:38and on it was printed a face.
00:45:39A face I knew.
00:45:40Dante Marietti.
00:45:41The man in the photograph
00:45:42looked haggard,
00:45:43dark circles carved deep
00:45:44under his eyes,
00:45:45stubble unshaved,
00:45:46like someone who hadn't slept in days.
00:45:48But I knew it was him.
00:45:49I had spent three years
00:45:50looking at that face.
00:45:51I could have picked it out blind.
00:45:52The notice said this individual
00:45:53was a person of interest
00:45:54in multiple cases.
00:45:56Anyone with information
00:45:56was asked to call the number below.
00:45:58My hand went slack.
00:45:59The basket dropped.
00:46:01Tomatoes spilled out
00:46:02and rolled to the edge of the road.
00:46:04I bent to pick them up.
00:46:05My fingers were shaking.
00:46:07One, two, three,
00:46:08the tomatoes felt very soft,
00:46:09almost bruised.
00:46:10When I touched them,
00:46:12he tracked me here.
00:46:13No, that was impossible.
00:46:15This was a wanted notice.
00:46:16They'd be posted statewide.
00:46:25Maybe it was just chance.
00:46:27Maybe this town was so remote
00:46:28they'd only just put them up.
00:46:30I stood,
00:46:30a tomato in my fist.
00:46:32The board held
00:46:33all the usual things.
00:46:34A missing dog
00:46:36grooms for rent
00:46:37used furniture.
00:46:39Only the wanted notice was new,
00:46:40the paper still white,
00:46:42corners not yet lifted
00:46:42by the wind.
00:46:43He has come looking for me,
00:46:45or he is on the run.
00:46:45Either way,
00:46:46whatever the reason
00:46:47he had appeared on this paper
00:46:48in this town.
00:46:50In the place I had finally
00:46:51carefully made my own,
00:46:52the sun was fierce.
00:46:54It made my head spin.
00:46:55I stood there a long time
00:46:57looking at that face.
00:46:59The photo had aged him
00:47:00by five years.
00:47:01The man who had held me
00:47:02at the shooting range
00:47:03and smiled.
00:47:04Who had said in front of everyone,
00:47:05she is mine.
00:47:06Who had held me one last time
00:47:08on that last night,
00:47:09and told me he loved me.
00:47:11Now he was on this paper wanted.
00:47:13I picked up the basket
00:47:15and turned back.
00:47:16A few steps on,
00:47:17I stopped,
00:47:18glanced back.
00:47:20That face was still there,
00:47:21watching me.
00:47:23I walked quickly.
00:47:24By the time I reached
00:47:26the orphanage gate,
00:47:26I walked straight into someone.
00:47:29Father Michael caught me
00:47:30by the shoulders.
00:47:31Sister Maria,
00:47:32are you alright?
00:47:33You're pale.
00:47:34I looked up at him.
00:47:36His face was open with concern,
00:47:38clean, genuine.
00:47:40I'm fine,
00:47:41I said.
00:47:42It's the heat.
00:47:43He held my gaze
00:47:43for a moment without speaking.
00:47:46I stepped past him
00:47:47and went into the yard.
00:47:48The children were napping.
00:47:50The yard was quiet.
00:47:52The flowers on the wall
00:47:53were blooming well red
00:47:54and yellow and pink
00:47:55blazing in the afternoon sun.
00:47:56I crouched down
00:47:57and pressed my face
00:47:58to my knees.
00:48:00Three months.
00:48:01I had thought I'd escaped,
00:48:02that I could start over,
00:48:04that that name would never
00:48:05find its way back
00:48:05into my life.
00:48:06Now he was somewhere
00:48:07in this town,
00:48:08maybe already through the gate,
00:48:10maybe already asking around
00:48:11for a woman named Maria.
00:48:13I pressed my nails
00:48:14into my palm.
00:48:21I pressed my nails
00:48:22into my palm.
00:48:24The sun scorched my back.
00:48:26My whole body was cold.
00:48:35The black SUV rolled
00:48:36into St. Catherine
00:48:37while I was standing
00:48:38at the orphanage gate
00:48:39handing out candy
00:48:40to the children.
00:48:41The sun was brutal.
00:48:43I squinted as the vehicle
00:48:44came slowly down the road,
00:48:46moving as if it didn't
00:48:47want to startle anyone.
00:48:48The windows were tinted dark.
00:48:50I couldn't see inside,
00:48:52but I knew.
00:48:53The SUV stopped
00:48:54in front of the gate.
00:48:55Two men in black suits
00:48:56climbed out first.
00:48:58Then the rear door opened
00:49:00and Dante Moretti
00:49:01stepped down.
00:49:02He had lost
00:49:03a great deal of weight.
00:49:04His cheekbones jutted.
00:49:06His eyes had gone hollow.
00:49:07He hadn't shaved in days.
00:49:09His dark suit hung on him
00:49:10as if it belonged
00:49:11to someone slightly larger.
00:49:13He stood beside the car
00:49:14and looked at me.
00:49:15I kept handing out candy.
00:49:17The last piece
00:49:18went to Lily.
00:49:19She grabbed it
00:49:20and ran back inside,
00:49:22peering over her shoulder
00:49:23at the strangers.
00:49:24Inside!
00:49:25I said to the children.
00:49:26They ran.
00:49:31The yard went quiet.
00:49:33Dante walked toward me.
00:49:35He moved as though
00:49:36every step cost him something.
00:49:37He stopped three paces away.
00:49:40Vivian.
00:49:41His voice had gone hoarse,
00:49:42like someone who hadn't
00:49:44spoken in days.
00:49:45I didn't move.
00:49:46I looked at him.
00:49:47He took another step forward.
00:49:49I've been looking for you
00:49:50a long time.
00:49:51I stepped back.
00:49:52He stopped.
00:49:53Something flickered
00:49:54in his eyes.
00:49:55Brief.
00:49:55But I caught it.
00:49:57Pain.
00:49:57Come home with me.
00:49:59He said.
00:49:59I don't know who you are.
00:50:01His brow creased.
00:50:02Vivian.
00:50:03There's no one here
00:50:04by that name.
00:50:05I turned
00:50:05and started toward the building.
00:50:08Behind me footsteps,
00:50:09quick and heavy.
00:50:10Then my wrist was seized.
00:50:12His hand was burning hot.
00:50:13His fingers locked around me
00:50:15like a vice.
00:50:16Listen to me.
00:50:17I wrenched free.
00:50:19The force of it
00:50:20surprised even me.
00:50:21He stood where he was,
00:50:22hand still extended
00:50:24in the shape of the grip.
00:50:32Let me go.
00:50:33Vivian.
00:50:34I was wrong.
00:50:35His voice had started to shake.
00:50:37I know I was wrong.
00:50:39Come back with me.
00:50:40We can talk it through.
00:50:41I don't know who you are.
00:50:42I met his eyes.
00:50:43Sir, you have the wrong person.
00:50:45He stared at me
00:50:46for a long time.
00:50:48Red veins threaded
00:50:49through the whites
00:50:49of his eyes.
00:50:50His lids were slightly swollen.
00:50:52Your name is Vivian Rossi.
00:50:54You're my wife.
00:50:56Three years ago,
00:50:56you and I...
00:50:57My name is Maria.
00:50:58I cut him off.
00:50:59Sister Maria,
00:51:00I have been here
00:51:01for three months.
00:51:02My children are inside
00:51:03waiting for me.
00:51:04His bodyguards moved forward
00:51:05two paces.
00:51:06I glanced at them,
00:51:08then back at him.
00:51:09You brought these men here.
00:51:12What exactly are you trying to do?
00:51:14I want to take you home.
00:51:16I've told you,
00:51:17you have the wrong person.
00:51:19He took a step forward.
00:51:21I took one back.
00:51:22He advanced.
00:51:24I retreated.
00:51:25Until my back
00:51:26was against the Iron Gate.
00:51:37Vivian.
00:51:38He dropped his voice
00:51:39to almost nothing.
00:51:41Please.
00:51:42I looked at him.
00:51:44Three years.
00:51:45I had memorized that face.
00:51:47Once.
00:51:48I'd thought it was
00:51:49the most dependable face
00:51:50in the world.
00:51:50Now.
00:51:51It just felt strange to me.
00:51:53Sir?
00:51:54I said,
00:51:55slowly.
00:51:56Each word separate
00:51:57and clear.
00:51:58I don't know
00:51:59who you're looking for.
00:52:00But my name's Maria.
00:52:02I am a nun in this town.
00:52:04I do not know you.
00:52:05His hand rose,
00:52:06reaching for my face.
00:52:08I turned my head.
00:52:09His hand hung in the air.
00:52:11And stilled.
00:52:12His bodyguard stood behind him.
00:52:14Expressionless.
00:52:15Down the street,
00:52:16a few townspeople
00:52:17had stopped to watch
00:52:17from a distance.
00:52:18Too far away to come closer.
00:52:20I looked at them.
00:52:21Then back at him.
00:52:23You came here with these men.
00:52:24Are you threatening me?
00:52:26No!
00:52:27Then what?
00:52:27Frightening my children?
00:52:29The blood left his face.
00:52:31I only wanted to find you.
00:52:33You found me,
00:52:34I said.
00:52:35Now you've seen me.
00:52:36I'm alive.
00:52:37You can go.
00:52:38Vivian.
00:52:39My name is Maria.
00:52:40He opened his mouth.
00:52:41No sound.
00:52:42I pushed the gate open
00:52:44and walked through.
00:52:45Vivian!
00:52:46Vivian!
00:52:46He called out behind me.
00:52:48I didn't turn.
00:52:58I went inside.
00:52:59The children gathered around,
00:53:01asking who those men outside were.
00:53:03I said they were travelers,
00:53:05who had taken a wrong turn.
00:53:07Lily took my hand
00:53:08and looked up at me.
00:53:10Sister Maria,
00:53:12your hand is so cold.
00:53:14I looked down at her.
00:53:15Small face.
00:53:16Round eyes.
00:53:18Clear and uncomplicated.
00:53:20I'm fine.
00:53:21I said.
00:53:21Just hot outside.
00:53:23Better in here.
00:53:24I crouched
00:53:24and held her for a moment.
00:53:26From outside came the sound of an engine
00:53:28turning over,
00:53:29then fading.
00:53:30I stood up,
00:53:32walked to the window.
00:53:33The black SUV was pulling away.
00:53:35A wake of dust rose behind it
00:53:36and dissolved at the end of the road.
00:53:38He was gone,
00:53:39at least for today.
00:53:40I leaned against the window frame
00:53:42and looked outside.
00:53:43The sun was still relentless.
00:53:45The flowers on the wall blazed in it.
00:53:47Behind me the children
00:53:48ran and laughed.
00:53:49I pressed my nails into my palm.
00:53:51It hurt.
00:53:52Good.
00:53:53Pain.
00:53:54Meant I was still here.
00:54:00The news that Dante had bought
00:54:02the crumbling house
00:54:02next to the orphanage
00:54:03reached me through the mayor himself
00:54:06the following morning.
00:54:07Sister Maria,
00:54:09he said,
00:54:10standing in the yard
00:54:10and wringing his hands.
00:54:12You know the old place
00:54:13that's been empty for years
00:54:15right next door?
00:54:16Someone bought it yesterday.
00:54:18Man from New York.
00:54:19The price he paid
00:54:21could have bought
00:54:21half this street.
00:54:23I was crouched by the flower bed
00:54:25with a watering can.
00:54:26I didn't look up.
00:54:28Is that so?
00:54:29He says he plans
00:54:30to stay a while.
00:54:32He also mentioned
00:54:33making a donation
00:54:34to the orphanage.
00:54:36I was wondering if you...
00:54:38I stood.
00:54:38The watering can
00:54:39tilted in my hand.
00:54:42The mayor blinked.
00:54:44No.
00:54:45Tell him we don't need it.
00:54:47He started to say something,
00:54:48thought better of it,
00:54:49and nodded on his way out.
00:54:52From that point on,
00:54:54Dante came every day.
00:54:55The first day he stood at the gate
00:54:57holding a bag of fruit.
00:54:58I ignored him.
00:54:59He stood there for an hour.
00:55:00When he left,
00:55:01he set the bag by the gate.
00:55:03The second day,
00:55:04he brought a box of art supplies.
00:55:06Brand new,
00:55:07expensive brands.
00:55:08I had the gatekeeper send them back.
00:55:10He wouldn't take them.
00:55:12The box sat at the gate.
00:55:14The third day,
00:55:15he arrived with two workers
00:55:16and said he wanted to fix
00:55:17the orphanage roof.
00:55:18Mother Superior came out
00:55:19to thank him.
00:55:20I stayed inside.
00:55:22Day four.
00:55:23Day five.
00:55:24Day six.
00:55:25Every day,
00:55:26each time with something.
00:55:27Each time standing
00:55:28in his usual spot,
00:55:29watching me,
00:55:30waiting for me to say something.
00:55:32I said nothing.
00:55:34On the afternoon of the seventh day,
00:55:36Scarlet appeared in town.
00:55:42I was watering the flowers
00:55:44in the yard
00:55:44when a red sports car
00:55:45stopped in front of the gate.
00:55:46I barely recognized her
00:55:48when she got out.
00:55:49She had put on some weight.
00:55:51Her belly curved slightly.
00:55:52Her makeup was still heavy,
00:55:53but the dark circles
00:55:55under her eyes were deep.
00:55:56She stood beside the car
00:55:58looking at me,
00:55:58and the corner of her mouth
00:56:00pulled into a smile.
00:56:01Long time no see, Vivian.
00:56:03I turned off the hose.
00:56:05There's no Vivian here.
00:56:06She made a dismissive sound
00:56:08and walked through the gate.
00:56:09Her heels were unsteady
00:56:11on the gravel.
00:56:12She stopped in front of me
00:56:12and looked me up and down.
00:56:15Dressed like that,
00:56:16I barely knew you.
00:56:17A nun's habit?
00:56:18Is this really how you plan
00:56:20to spend the rest of your life?
00:56:22What do you want?
00:56:23She put a hand on her stomach.
00:56:25I wanted you to see this.
00:56:27I glanced down,
00:56:28then looked back up at her.
00:56:30I see it.
00:56:32She frowned.
00:56:33So that's it?
00:56:34The Stoligens?
00:56:35Is there something
00:56:36you'd like me to say?
00:56:37She leaned forward
00:56:38and lowered her voice.
00:56:40This is Dante's child.
00:56:42I'm carrying his baby.
00:56:45You think by hiding out here,
00:56:46he'll come running back to you?
00:56:48Keep dreaming.
00:56:49I studied her face.
00:56:51There was triumph in it
00:56:52and provocation
00:56:53and something else
00:56:54I couldn't quite name.
00:56:55Something like nerves.
00:56:57Something like fear.
00:56:58Congratulations.
00:56:59Congratulations.
00:57:00I said.
00:57:01She blinked.
00:57:02What?
00:57:03I said congratulations.
00:57:04A baby is a good thing.
00:57:06Take care of yourself.
00:57:07I turned back to the hose.
00:57:09She stood behind me
00:57:10for a long time.
00:57:11Then she surged forward
00:57:12and grabbed my arm.
00:57:13You're not angry!
00:57:15You don't care!
00:57:16Let go of me.
00:57:17You stop pretending!
00:57:18I know you still love him!
00:57:21Looking at me carrying his child
00:57:23must be tearing you apart!
00:57:25I turned my head
00:57:26to look at her.
00:57:27Her grip dug into my arm.
00:57:33You're hurting me.
00:57:34She stared at me,
00:57:35chest heaving.
00:57:37Just then,
00:57:37footsteps sounded at the gate.
00:57:39Let go of her.
00:57:40Dante stood there.
00:57:41He was wearing
00:57:42a plain t-shirt and jeans.
00:57:43His hair was a mess
00:57:45and there was dust on his face.
00:57:46He looked like he'd come
00:57:47straight from a worksite.
00:57:49Scarlet turned
00:57:50and immediately released her hold.
00:57:53Dante, I just...
00:57:54what are you doing here?
00:57:56His voice was cold.
00:57:58I had never heard him
00:57:59speak like that.
00:58:00Scarlet retreated.
00:58:01A step.
00:58:03I only came to see her.
00:58:05You've seen her.
00:58:06Now go.
00:58:08Scarlet's eyes went red.
00:58:10Dante,
00:58:10I'm carrying your child!
00:58:13He looked at her.
00:58:15Not a ripple moved
00:58:16through his expression.
00:58:17You know exactly
00:58:18how that child happened.
00:58:19Her face changed.
00:58:21What are you saying?
00:58:22You know what I'm saying.
00:58:23I had it looked into.
00:58:25There were a few times
00:58:25I got drunk during that period.
00:58:28You put something
00:58:29in the drinks.
00:58:30Scarlet opened her mouth.
00:58:31Nothing came out.
00:58:32Did you think
00:58:33I didn't know?
00:58:34I knew.
00:58:35I just didn't bother
00:58:37dealing with it then.
00:58:38His voice was very
00:58:39even.
00:58:40But now that you've come here,
00:58:42I don't feel like
00:58:43tolerating it anymore.
00:58:45Scarlet backed up
00:58:46two steps
00:58:46and hit the iron gate.
00:58:49I just...
00:58:51I love you.
00:58:54You don't love me.
00:58:56He said,
00:58:57cutting her off.
00:58:58You love what
00:58:59I can give you.
00:59:00Now get out.
00:59:01Don't let me see you again.
00:59:03Scarlet stood there
00:59:04as tears spilled
00:59:04down her face.
00:59:05Then she turned,
00:59:07shoved through the gate,
00:59:07and ran.
00:59:13The sound of the
00:59:13red sports car
00:59:14faded quickly
00:59:15in the distance.
00:59:16The yard was quiet.
00:59:18Dante looked at me.
00:59:20Are you alright?
00:59:21Fine.
00:59:22He came closer
00:59:23and looked at my arm.
00:59:25Where Scarlet had grabbed me,
00:59:26the skin was flushed red,
00:59:28scored with faint nail marks.
00:59:31I'll get something for that.
00:59:34Don't.
00:59:35He stood where he was.
00:59:36Didn't move.
00:59:38Vivian.
00:59:39My name is Maria.
00:59:41He closed his mouth.
00:59:44That night,
00:59:45I couldn't sleep.
00:59:45I kept turning over
00:59:46Scarlet's words
00:59:47and Dante's.
00:59:48The baby was something
00:59:49she had engineered.
00:59:50I found that
00:59:51I wasn't surprised.
00:59:53Scarlet was capable
00:59:54of exactly that
00:59:54and Dante's months
00:59:56of betrayal.
00:59:57Was that her doing too?
00:59:58I didn't know
00:59:59what to believe.
01:00:01The midday quiet
01:00:02was broken by gunshots
01:00:03two weeks later.
01:00:05I had been in the kitchen
01:00:06helping with lunch.
01:00:08It had been so long
01:00:09since I'd lived
01:00:10anywhere dangerous
01:00:10that even my instincts
01:00:12had gone soft.
01:00:13The first shot
01:00:14was distant enough
01:00:15that I thought
01:00:16it was a car backfiring.
01:00:18The second was close,
01:00:20just outside the yard.
01:00:23The third came at the same time
01:00:24as the sound
01:00:25of shattering glass.
01:00:27Children screaming.
01:00:29I ran out.
01:00:35Two men in black
01:00:36were in the yard,
01:00:37moving fast in my direction,
01:00:39guns in their hands.
01:00:44Then someone hit me
01:00:45from the side
01:00:46and drove me
01:00:47to the ground.
01:00:47Shots exploded overhead,
01:00:49loud enough
01:00:50to leave my ears ringing.
01:00:51The person on top of me
01:00:52made a low,
01:00:53choked sound.
01:00:54I turned my head.
01:00:56It was Dante.
01:00:58His face was pressed
01:00:59close to mine,
01:01:00white,
01:01:01forehead sheamed
01:01:01with sweat.
01:01:10Are you hurt?
01:01:11He didn't answer.
01:01:13I looked down.
01:01:14His hand was pressed
01:01:15against his side
01:01:16and blood was seeping
01:01:17through his fingers.
01:01:18His bodyguards came running.
01:01:21More gunfire
01:01:21going on for me.
01:01:23Then silence.
01:01:26I helped roll Dante over.
01:01:28He lay on his back,
01:01:30eyes half open
01:01:31looking at me.
01:01:33You were shot.
01:01:34He looked up at me.
01:01:35The corner of his mouth
01:01:36moved slightly.
01:01:37Yeah.
01:01:39What were you thinking?
01:01:40Why did you run over here?
01:01:42Force of habit.
01:01:44It hit me then.
01:01:45He meant three years ago.
01:01:47The dock warehouse.
01:01:48The time he had taken
01:01:49a bullet that was
01:01:50meant for me.
01:01:52The ambulance came.
01:01:54I rode along.
01:01:57He held my hand
01:01:58the entire way,
01:01:59gripping hard.
01:02:00The surgery took
01:02:01three hours.
01:02:02I sat in the corridor
01:02:04with the red light
01:02:05burning above
01:02:05the operating room door.
01:02:09The light went out
01:02:11at dawn.
01:02:12The doctor came out
01:02:13and told me
01:02:14the bullet had stopped
01:02:15two centimeters
01:02:15from his heart.
01:02:16He was very lucky.
01:02:19I went into the room.
01:02:21He was lying in the bed,
01:02:22tubes everywhere,
01:02:24the color of the sheets,
01:02:25but alive.
01:02:27I sat in the chair
01:02:28beside him.
01:02:32He owed me
01:02:33a great deal.
01:02:34Three years of betrayal,
01:02:36all those lies,
01:02:37that woman,
01:02:37that red stiletto.
01:02:40But there he was.
01:02:42And the bullet
01:02:42he'd taken for me
01:02:43had nearly killed him.
01:02:45I didn't know
01:02:46how to settle
01:02:47that account.
01:02:51He was in the hospital
01:02:52for two weeks.
01:02:53I stayed beside him
01:02:54for two weeks.
01:03:01When he came around,
01:03:02he looked at me
01:03:03the moment he opened
01:03:04his eyes
01:03:04and went still.
01:03:17You're still here.
01:03:19I said nothing.
01:03:20His eyes slowly reddened.
01:03:22I'm sorry.
01:03:23I stood up
01:03:24and moved to the window.
01:03:32Don't say that.
01:03:35I want to say it.
01:03:37I know you hate me.
01:03:39You should.
01:03:40His voice was quiet
01:03:41and rough.
01:03:42What I did,
01:03:43I can't forgive myself
01:03:45for it.
01:03:47Marco's people
01:03:48are dealt with.
01:03:49The ones who ran
01:03:50are gone.
01:03:51The ones who didn't
01:03:51were picked up.
01:03:52I said,
01:03:55Scarlet's gone too.
01:03:59Your men have been
01:04:00by a few times.
01:04:01I told them
01:04:01you were still unconscious.
01:04:06I turned.
01:04:09Dante,
01:04:11there's something
01:04:12you need to understand.
01:04:15He looked at me.
01:04:18I can let you
01:04:19stay here.
01:04:21I can let you
01:04:22do those things,
01:04:23fix the roof,
01:04:24bring things over,
01:04:26stand at that gate.
01:04:28But I can't forgive you.
01:04:30The color shifted
01:04:31in his face.
01:04:33I know.
01:04:34No, you don't.
01:04:36I walked back
01:04:37to the side of the bed
01:04:37and looked down at him.
01:04:41You have no idea
01:04:42what those three years
01:04:43were like for me.
01:04:44No idea what it felt like
01:04:46to find that shoe.
01:04:49No idea
01:04:50what I was thinking
01:04:51when I drove alone
01:04:52to the shore.
01:04:56He said nothing.
01:04:58He just looked.
01:05:00You can be good to me.
01:05:02You can protect me.
01:05:05You can do whatever
01:05:06you want to do.
01:05:10But there's a line
01:05:11inside me
01:05:12I can't cross back over.
01:05:15He closed his eyes.
01:05:23After a long time
01:05:24he opened them
01:05:27and looked
01:05:28at the ceiling.
01:05:30I understand.
01:05:34Good.
01:05:36I turned to go.
01:05:38Vivian.
01:05:39His voice
01:05:39from behind me.
01:05:40I stopped.
01:05:42I'm staying.
01:05:44Not to make you
01:05:45forgive me.
01:05:48Because I want
01:05:49to watch you live.
01:05:51Watch you be okay.
01:05:53I didn't turn around.
01:05:55I walked out of the room
01:05:57and the morning sun
01:05:58hit my face.
01:05:59Sharp and bright.
01:06:00I stood in the doorway
01:06:01and let it be
01:06:02for a while.
01:06:04A month later
01:06:05he was discharged.
01:06:06He came back
01:06:07to the little town
01:06:08and moved back
01:06:08into the house
01:06:09next door.
01:06:10Each morning
01:06:11he was up early
01:06:12patching the roof
01:06:13painting walls.
01:06:15replacing windows.
01:06:18He made that ruin
01:06:19livable.
01:06:21He stopped coming
01:06:22to stand at the
01:06:23orphanage gate
01:06:24every day.
01:06:25Occasionally
01:06:25he'd come by
01:06:26with something
01:06:26set it down
01:06:27and go.
01:06:31The children
01:06:32started getting used
01:06:33to the neighbor man
01:06:33and sometimes
01:06:34they'd wander over
01:06:35to watch him work.
01:06:36He didn't shoo them away
01:06:38he just let them
01:06:39play nearby.
01:06:43One afternoon
01:06:44Lily came running
01:06:45back and pulled
01:06:46my hand
01:06:46and told me
01:06:47the man next door
01:06:47had planted
01:06:48a whole yard
01:06:48of flowers
01:06:49the same kinds
01:06:50as the ones
01:06:51on our wall.
01:06:52I didn't go to see
01:06:54but I knew.
01:06:55I looked down
01:06:56at my hands.
01:06:57These hands
01:06:57had held a gun
01:06:58had taken lives
01:07:00had also painted
01:07:01a wall full of flowers
01:07:02and now they would
01:07:03build something new.
01:07:11The Good
01:07:11You
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