- 6 hours ago
Divorced, I married the godfather - Full
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The night I signed the divorce paper and walked away with nothing, I wandered the rainy streets
00:05alone with a single duffel bag and only $36. That was when I spotted a flyer taped to a
00:11roadside pole. Stepmom wanted for child. Room and board, that's what got me. That same night,
00:16I showed up at the address. I walked straight into the mansion of Luca Castellano, the don
00:22of New York's oldest mafia family. Later, my ex-husband looked down at me with that same
00:26arrogance. Nora, do you finally realize you were wrong? Before I could answer, the four-year-old
00:32little tyrant exploded. Wrong about what? My mom is the best. The don slipped an arm around my
00:38shoulders, kicking him aside. My wife could never be wrong, and even if she was, she'd still be right.
00:44I never expected the people posting flyers on poles to be New York's most powerful mafia family. Now I
00:50stood outside their mansion. Beside me, the butler carried himself with quiet arrogance. The don is
00:55looking for a mother for his child, not a wife for himself. I need you to be very clear on
01:00that. Don
01:00is a very desirable man. Do not get any ideas you shouldn't. I kept my eyes lowered. Honestly, this job
01:07was perfect for me. To put it simply, they just needed a high-end nanny. Eight hours ago, I'd signed
01:12the divorce papers and been kicked out of my ex's house. The last thing I wanted was another husband,
01:17but a roof? Three meals? A place to disappear? That was a miracle. I understand. I won't get any ideas.
01:24The butler led me down a dim, vaulted corridor. Then I heard something that sounded like a gunshot.
01:29I stumbled, slammed straight into a hot, hard chest. The smell hit me first. Blood. Gunpowder.
01:36Then the barrel of a pistol tipped my chin up. A man in a suit with his hair slicked back.
01:40Blood
01:41streaked across his jaw. A snake tattoo coiling out of his collar onto his throat. My chest rose and fell
01:47rapidly with fear. His gun slid down from my chin and stopped between my soaked breasts. He studied me for
01:53a long beat. Finally, walked off without a word. I'd seen that face before. Page 6. New York Times.
01:59The Castellano Don. Sebastian had once spent a month studying his photos, trying to get in with
02:05the old mafia family behind him. The butler finally spoke. The Don is handling some business.
02:11Please don't mind. I nodded quietly. Then he took me to change into something dry and led me into the
02:16dining room. A long wooden table sat beneath a crystal chandelier. And at one end, a father and son were
02:22locked in a standoff. The man with murder in his eyes was gone. In his place, at the table, sat
02:28a
02:28man in a white dress shirt holding a spoon. His face was tired. The boy pressed his lips shut and
02:33glared up at his father like a tiny soldier holding the line. Neither moved. Finally, the man exhaled and
02:39set the spoon down. Long fingers pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice dropped, low and rough.
02:45One bite. One small bite. Is that really too much? The butler stepped forward. Don, the applicant is
02:52here. The man turned. His shirt was unbuttoned low. I could see most of the snake tattoo now. The lines
02:58of
02:58his muscles pressed faintly through the white linen. The most feared man in New York inherited the family
03:03glory at 16. Built it bigger, darker, quieter than his father had. Money, power, blood on his hands.
03:10So this wasn't some dream. Or scam. A man like Luca Castellano had no reason to scam a broke
03:16divorcee off the street. His eyes moved over me, distant and tired. Name? I figured he'd come
03:22straight from his so-called business. Handling traitors, torturing some enemies, and now got
03:27defeated by a toddler. Feeding the kid was probably harder than running his empire. Nora Bennett, I said.
03:33A barely there nod. He held out the plate. Try. So, this was my interview. If I didn't pass,
03:38I was sleeping on the F train. I smiled my warmest, gentlest smile and walked toward the boy. I didn't
03:44make it two steps. Whoosh. He bolted under the table. Only his eyes peeked out. Dark, round, furious.
03:51I don't want her. Send her away. She's a bad lady. They're all bad ladies. So, before me, this kid
03:57had
03:58already been through who knows how many stepmoms. Fine. I needed to do my best. I scanned the room and
04:03clocked it instantly. Action figures everywhere. Batman, Spider-Man, a whole shelf of Avengers.
04:10I grabbed two figures off the coffee table and crouched down by the table leg. I sat Batman and
04:15Spider-Man right next to the kid. Then I picked up the spoon. Don't worry. I'm not feeding you. I'm
04:20feeding Batman. I mimed a spoonful into Batman's face. Open up, bats. Heroes who skip dinner? Skinny arms,
04:26skinny legs. Can't protect anyone like that. Oh, Batman wants vegetables? Good call. Spinach makes
04:33you strong. The boy watched, half-hidden, lips parting, smacking his mouth a little. I pretended
04:39not to see. His nose started turning pink, like he was about to cry. Right on cue, I gasped. Wait,
04:45is
04:45that a baby Batman over there? Bats, can you share with him? He has to eat too if he's gonna
04:51grow up
04:51strong. I tilted Batman. Bat says yes. I turned to the boy. Batman improved, kiddo. You get a little,
04:58but just a little. We don't want you outgrowing him. He'd be sad. The boy nodded furiously. I didn't
05:04even get the spoon to his mouth before he grabbed it with his lips. A big bite. Why won't you
05:09give me
05:09vegetables? You scared I'll get stronger than Batman? Bad lady. I glanced at the couch. Luca Castellano's
05:16mouth curved. A small, real smile. Approving. I moved into the castle that night. There were
05:22three floors. I got the second floor with Leo. Luca had the entire third floor to himself.
05:27The butler walked me to my room and gave me one last warning. You do not go up to the
05:31third floor.
05:31Ever. His voice dropped. The last woman who snuck up there to climb into the Don's bed got thrown out
05:37of his window. Two-story drop. I thought of the gun from an hour ago. I nodded so hard I
05:42almost gave
05:42myself whiplash. Won't happen. You have my word. Castellano men breed serious. Leo was only four
05:48and slept in his own bed without a fuss. And that made my job easier. I'd just changed into the
05:53silk
05:53pajamas from the closet. The knock made me jump. Don Luca's voice was low behind the door. Come
05:58down. Let's talk. Luca was on the couch in the great room. Long legs crossed. Whiskey in his hand.
06:04I sat across from him on the opposite couch. Hands in my lap. Knees together. Like a job interview.
06:09You're good with kids. You have one of your own? No. I helped raise my ex's nephew for two years.
06:15Back the... The crane said I didn't make enough money and ordered me to quit. Called it generosity.
06:20Then, after I did, they claimed I was lazy and had nothing to do. So they fired the nanny and
06:25dumped the kid on me. More free maid than wife. File says you're divorced. Yes. Reason? Some small
06:31town girl cannot stain a noble family name. I guess. Only a coward would say that. You saw the ad.
06:37I'm hiring a mother for Leo. Not a date for me. My rival's family terrified him when he was little.
06:42He's always been insecure. Hates leaving the house. And has never had a single friend.
06:46I work long hours. I need someone with patience. Someone who'll stay. There will be a prenum.
06:52Everything stays separate. Especially in bed.
06:54My heart shuddered as I looked deep into his eyes. Marriage in rich people's world was a contract
07:00before it was anything else. My marriage with Sebastian was for love. But because the gaps between our
07:05family, I'd signed one with him too. When the love ran out, I'd walked away with nothing.
07:10Not even my wedding ring. Let alone a powerful mafia family like the Castellanos. They would
07:16only be more careful. I understand. Honestly, if you just need someone in the house, we don't have
07:21to make it legal. I'm fine without the paperwork. Luca shook his head. He leaned forward, tapping his
07:28fingers on the table. Marriage is for Leo. He needs the most stable mother I can give him.
07:32And marriage is the strongest contract there is. All right. We'll do it your way.
07:40Don't worry. You'll get a hundred thousand a month for expenses. This was the part I cared about.
07:45I've been burned before. Mr. Castellano, if we divorce someday, can I keep the money you've given me?
07:50Of course. It's yours. All right then.
07:54As for sex, I don't need anything from you in that area. You stay on the second floor.
08:01Right. The sex. That's fine. Neither do I.
08:05So, three days after I signed divorce papers, I got married again. No ceremony, no guests. Same as my
08:12first wedding. The butler added an extra dish to dinner. I thought that was the celebration. But
08:18suddenly, Luca slid a signet ring across the table. A Castellano family ring.
08:26That's not necessary. Sebastian never even gave me his family ring. For Leo's sake.
08:32Then I got it. The child needed a family illusion. I fell into silence and finally took it. I'll keep
08:39it safe. That night, I'd just gotten into bed when the door creaked open. Leo stood in the doorway,
08:44bare feet, hair sticking up, fidgeting with his dinosaur pajamas.
08:49What's up, kiddo?
08:50Nora, can you read me a bedtime story?
08:54What? You want me to read you a bedtime story?
08:56I'll get my dad to pay you extra. If you don't want to, forget it.
09:00Come here.
09:01I held the covers open. He scrambled in like he'd been waiting for that all day. Halfway
09:06through the story, he was out cold against my shoulder.
09:10Next morning at breakfast, Luca's eyes widened when the butler told him Leo had slept in my
09:15bed.
09:15Nora, that was above and beyond. I'll add another $50,000 a month.
09:20Mr. Castellano, that's way too much.
09:22It was, by a lot. I'd given far more than this in my last marriage and walked away with
09:29literally nothing. During the day, I babysat his nephew. At night, I cooked for my husband.
09:35After satisfying his needs in bed, I still had to get up at five to clean the house and
09:40make breakfast. His mother judged.
09:42We could hire someone, but Nora's just sitting around all day wouldn't be fair.
09:47Despite all these, the day of the divorce, his sister told the lawyer I'd been living
09:51off them for three years.
09:53Mr. Castellano, it's really too much. I like Leo. He's a sweet kid. Reading him a book is
09:58nothing.
09:59As I said it, Leo came over and grabbed my fingers with his small, warm hand. He was looking
10:05up at me with those big, dark grape eyes. He was actually moved.
10:09You don't know. The women before you only cared about impressing me. They ignored him.
10:1650,000. That's the new number. Not negotiable.
10:21I gave up and thanked him. From that day on, Leo was my shadow. Luca was busy with all the
10:26transactions, the guns, and the bloods. The huge mansion was usually just the two of us.
10:32I tried my best to play with him and made him happy every day. Until the day I had a
10:36hospital
10:37appointment for a follow-up. The butler had warned me. Leo couldn't leave the house. Outside
10:42triggered panic attacks. I crouched down.
10:44Hey, babe. Wait for me at home. I'll be back in an hour.
10:49He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. Didn't say anything. Just looked at me with those dark,
10:55sad eyes.
10:58He's scared you're not coming back. His mother left him exactly like that.
11:02I'm coming back. I'll see the doctor and come right home. You play here, okay?
11:06I was still mid-sentence when he climbed into the backseat of the car. The butler tried not
11:11to hope. Master Leo, you're going to the hospital with Miss Bennett? Leo nodded.
11:16Thank God. He's finally willing to leave the house. Your depression's getting better. Just
11:21keep it slow. Relax. I took the script and the meds and left. Leo was waiting in the lobby with
11:27his small Batman. Nora. Are you sick? A little, kiddo. I used to skip meals a lot, so I got
11:37sick.
11:38Promise me you'll never let yourself get like that. Does it hurt? If it hurts, I can give you candy.
11:45Daddy told me candy makes you forget. My tears fell without warning. In the crane house, I'd cry and
11:52they'd call it dramatic. Small town girl. Can't handle the lifestyle. I had depression.
12:02Stop faking it to get attention. The nephew I'd raised for two years stood next to his mother
12:07on divorce day and called me ugly. And here was this four-year-old mafia heir handing me his last
12:13piece of candy. Nora, I'm going to eat every meal so I can grow up and protect you.
12:25You better grow fast, babe. When we walked out of the hospital, there was a black Maybach idling
12:30at the curb. Luca was leaning against it. Mr. Castellano, why are you here? He scooped his son
12:35into his arms. Seeing how calm and composed the boy was, his eyes suddenly reddened. The butler called,
12:41said Leo went out with you. I had to see it. Dad, as long as I'm with Nora, you can
12:46stop worrying.
12:48I know. That night, he tried to raise my pay again. This time, a black card. I refused so hard,
12:55he laughed. Noia, there must be something you want. Could you help me find a used car,
13:035,000 or below, so I can take Leo out without depending on the driver?
13:09Pick anything from the garage. The cheapest car in your garage is a quarter million. I wouldn't
13:15dare drive it. Fine. Next morning, an old, beat-up sedan was parked next to his black Bentley.
13:24He also flew in a psychiatrist. Same diagnosis as the hospital. But this time,
13:29my meds were upgraded to the brand I'd never been able to afford.
13:33Your wife needs company. Family, don't push her too hard. I'll remember that.
13:38The next day, I drove Leo out with me. He'd always been insecure, had barely seen the outside world.
13:44Now, I wanted to show it to him. First, the amusement park. He grabbed my hand and dragged
13:49me over to take pictures. Then I took him to the farmer's market. He'd never been to a farmer's
13:53market in his life. Nora, I don't want to hold this. My hands are full, Leo. Just a few steps.
14:00Fine. One time only. And no more lobster. No. Nora? It was Sebastian, my ex-husband.
14:08He was in a crisp gray suit, hair perfect, looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine cover. It had
14:14been five weeks since the divorce. My stomach nodded on contact. Sebastian and I had met in college.
14:20He came from one of those Wall Street elite families. The golden boy of high finance. He'd
14:25ignored every objection from his family to put a ring on me. At our wedding, he'd promised to
14:30protect me for life. Then he took over Crane Capital and he started finding fault with everything.
14:35He wanted me to quit my job, take care of his parents, take care of his sister's kid, cook,
14:41laundry, cleaning. I did all of it because I loved him. Because I'd never been loved by my own family
14:47and didn't know any better. Until one day, I caught him in a private club with a girl in his
14:52lap.
14:52My whole world shattered. I cried. I screamed. I begged him to swear it would stop. The whole Crane
14:59family said I was overreacting. What successful man doesn't have side action? Sebastian said I'd
15:05been spoiled rotten. He blocked my number, stopped coming home. My depression cratered. I filed for
15:13divorce. He thought it was a bluff. His family told him, don't let her win. He had his lawyer draft
15:18papers. I walked out with nothing, signed them in seven seconds. Four years of dating, three years
15:24of marriage. Done. Noah, Ivy League degree. And here you are playing nanny? What were you thinking?
15:32Not your business. Nora, try to understand. The day you married into the Crane family,
15:38you represent the Crane name. Sebastian, we're divorced. I have nothing to do with your family
15:45anymore. Even divorced, you're my ex-wife. People still bring me up when they talk about you.
15:52Stop embarrassing me. Use your head for once. Stop being emotional all the time.
15:58Nora, a few weeks out here. Bet you missed being Mrs. Crane, don't you? Admit you were wrong. I'll
16:02think about taking you back. The girls outside the marriage, those were nothing. I haven't replaced
16:06you. The position's still open. Just swallow your pride. Apologize to my mother and my sister.
16:11Don't bother holding it. Give the seat to someone else, Sebastian. I'm not interested.
16:15On the drive home, a new number called Connor, the nephew I'd raised for two years. I'd block the rest
16:21of the Crane's. Not him. Kids didn't pick their parents. Hey, Con. Nora, you divorced loser. My mom
16:29wants to talk to you. My throat closed up. Then Cassandra Crane took the phone. Nora, Sebastian
16:35tells me you're working as a nanny. Have you ever thought about anyone but yourself? You're slapping
16:39Sebastian's face. You're slapping the Crane name. What does that look like to people? Nora, I always said
16:45it. You'll never rise above your roots. Trash dressed in silk. I hung up, blocked her, pulled
16:51over. I crashed onto the steering wheel and bawled. I cried until I couldn't breathe. I cried until I
16:56was so empty I felt nothing. Then I sat up, wiped my face, felt the exhaustion settle bone deep. Nora,
17:02here, tissue. I'd forgotten Leo was in the back seat. He was holding a tissue out from his car seat.
17:07Big, sad eyes glued to me. I'm sorry, sweetheart. Did I scare you? Nora, I'm not scared. You can cry
17:14as long
17:15as you want. I'll wait. Adults crying isn't shameful. I won't laugh. Thanks, my little gentleman.
17:22Auntie's done. No more crying from now on. Let's go home. I went to bed early that night. Didn't feel
17:26up to dinner. Then a knock. Nora, can I come in? Luca. I was fresh out of the shower. Hair
17:33wet,
17:34robe tied carefully. I made sure nothing was showing. Come in. He was in a tight white tank top, making
17:40the
17:40snake tattoos stand out even more. Dark hair falling loose over his forehead. Whiskey in his hand,
17:45looser than I'd ever seen him. He sat in the chair by my bed. His gaze flicked to my wet
17:50collarbone,
17:51then immediately to the wall, like he'd been caught. The clothes in your closet, you never wear any of
17:56them. They're too nice. I'm not used to it. I'd learned one thing from the crane marriage. Don't force
18:02yourself into a world that isn't yours. The fall is uglier when they shove you out. Are they not your
18:07style?
18:07I'll have the designer come fit you for new ones. No, no, Mr. Castellano. I'm in the house all day
18:12with Leo. There's nowhere to wear that kind of thing, truly. I heard you saw your ex today. His name's
18:19crane? The stupid crane capital? I froze. Leo had snitched. Yes, that crane. Old news. Nora, since you came,
18:29Leo's been a different child. Thank you. His eyes were dark and serious on mine. I shifted, uncomfortable.
18:35You pay me very well. It's what I'm here for. Nora, ask me for anything. I can probably make it
18:42happen. Mr. Castellano, I don't need anything. He was quiet a long moment. His fingers tightened on
18:48his knee, then released. He stood up. I'll say this again. I'm the Don of the Costetto family.
18:55If you want, I can make sure he never speaks again more by tomorrow. I took a step back,
19:00still not used to him being this close. Without warning, he tucked a strand of hair behind my
19:05ear. Did I scare you? I said nothing. His hand slid down from my cheek. He gave a faint smile,
19:11then walked out. For the next two weeks, Luca started coming home early. Dinner with Leo and me.
19:18Sometimes board games after. Sometimes a movie. A man who ran half of New York's underworld didn't
19:23change his schedule for no reason. I was starting to worry. Was the family in trouble? Not that I
19:28cared about him. I just really cared about my 150 grand a month. Mr. Castellano, you don't have to
19:34keep coming home this early. Leo has me. If you've got business, take it. Luca picked up a red Lego
19:40brick. Voice perfectly neutral. The psychiatrist said you need family. Leo and I are your family now.
19:46We have responsibilities. Since when are we family, I wanted to say. I didn't. Honestly, Leo's enough.
19:52The doctor said my improvement is mostly thanks to him. He stroked his chin, avoiding eye contact.
19:59I grabbed Leo's hand and stood. Come on, buddy. Story time. Daddy still has work.
20:04Leo and I walked out. Nora. Luca's voice, stopping me at the doorway. Yes? His ears were faintly pink.
20:12He cleared his throat. Tomorrow night, there's an event. Plus sun's required. Would you come with me?
20:20Me? Me? You. I don't have time to find someone else. I'll pay you an appearance fee.
20:31A man with his face couldn't find a date in 24 hours? I didn't think too much. There was money
20:36on the table. Sure. I don't know the social rules in your world, though. I don't want to embarrass you.
20:42The Cranes were a moneyed family, too. But Sebastian had never taken me to anything because his mother
20:48said she doesn't know how to act in public. Don't let her embarrass us. Stand next to me. That's all.
20:54Luca's brow eased. If you want, I can make the gossipers shut up for good.
20:59The butler chimed in, beaming. Miss Bennett, you don't need to know the rules. The don is the rules.
21:06Hard to argue with that. The next afternoon, a design team showed up at the mansion. Five people.
21:12Most of them flown in from Paris. Hair, makeup, dress, jewelry. They huddled and debated each detail
21:20for 20 minutes at a stretch. By the time Luca came home, I was starting to feel sick about how
21:25much
21:25was on me. He walked in, saw me. His eyes did something. A brief flash, almost stunned, before he
21:33caught himself. Daddy, look how pretty Nora is. Call her mom. Leo turned his head and harrumphed.
21:41Wouldn't say it. I patted his hair. It's okay. I like Nora. Makes me feel young.
21:48The event was a charity gala at the plaza. Every major name in New York was there. Old money,
21:54bigger money, political faces. A few faces I recognized from the papers, and a few I knew
21:59not to recognize at all. They orbited Luca immediately. Conversations started landing
22:04on me. Mr. Castellino, who's the beautiful lady? I jumped in to save him. I'm a friend
22:12of Mr. Castellino's. My wife, Nora. The room shifted. A chorus of polite gasps,
22:20compliments raining down. My face went hot to my collarbone. Luca squeezed my hand, leaned in.
22:27Nora, is being my wife really that embarrassing? You couldn't say it?
22:32Bourbon and cedar on his breath. No. No. I just, I didn't want to embarrass you.
22:39His eyes darkened. He looked at me like he was lighting something on fire.
22:43Only a weak man is embarrassed by his wife. I had to look away. I'll grab a drink.
22:47I bolted. I'd been hiding by the champagne tower for about 90 seconds when...
22:53Nora?
22:56There was no date. Just him. Had it Luca said plus ones required? Sebastian's face was pure stunned.
23:04It is you. I almost didn't recognize you.
23:13I've never seen you look like this. I stepped back. Stay away from me. Nora. About my sister's call.
23:21That wasn't me. I'd never authorized that. Truth is, I only agreed to the divorce to teach you a lesson.
23:26Bratty wife. Needed reminding. I never actually planned to let you go.
23:30Apologize. To my mom and my sister. We'll remarry. I'll forget the rest.
23:40Crane? Capital is bleeding right now. I'm slammed. Stop making things hard for me.
23:45He reached for my hand. The Sebastian special. One slap, one kiss.
23:50He'd run me on that loop for three years. I'm not the Nora he married anymore. I yanked back.
23:57Sebastian. Divorced means divorced. I'd rather sleep under the Brooklyn Pleerage than wear your last name again. Find someone else
24:04for that throne.
24:04Still stubborn. You haven't suffered enough. Crawl find me when you've actually been broken.
24:12That's when Luca started walking toward us. Sebastian's whole posture changed.
24:17Nora. We'll talk later. There's a heavyweight I need to corner. Don't get in the way.
24:23Plastered on his best smile and intercepted Luca with a business card already out.
24:28My Don. I'm Sebastian Crane. Crane Capital. I'd like to talk about the mandate you pulled.
24:36Five years. Crane of Capital ran the books on every fund Castellino Holdings put on the street.
24:41Then you cut us out overnight. If we fell short, tell me where. Whatever you need, I'll make it right.
24:49Sebastian, half-bowed, Luca's eyes went past him, straight to me.
24:54Nora. What do you think? Should I give him a second chance?
24:58Sebastian's smile froze.
25:01Nora? What does she have to do with...
25:03Mr. Castelloni, you should know. Nora is my ex-wife. I don't know how she got in here tonight.
25:09Probably trying to ambush me into wrecking elitiation. She's just a housewife. Pay her no mind.
25:14Luca didn't even glance at him.
25:17Nora. Your call. I'll follow your lead.
25:23I kept my voice flat.
25:24Mr. Crane just asked me not to interfere in his business conversation. I'd hate to interfere.
25:30Sebastian flared.
25:31A man's business is none of your concern. Of course, small-town instincts.
25:36Luca's voice came in cold and final.
25:38Then I'd assume my wife doesn't approve of Crane Capital. Mr. Crane, we'll have to pass.
25:44His arm slid around my shoulders. He turned us toward the bar. Sebastian was still standing there, brain catching up.
25:51Then a man in a tuxedo brushed past him.
25:53Crane, you insulted Don's wife. You stepped on a live mine. That's the only woman who's ever been on his
26:01arm in 20 years.
26:03Castellano's wife? Impossible.
26:06The woman's a nanny in the Castellano house.
26:08Sebastian had seen Nora at the farmer's market, driving the cheap car, carrying a lobster for the brat.
26:14He knew what he saw. A fancy dress didn't make a duchess. The man shook his head and walked off.
26:20Some idiots won't listen. Let them die.
26:24That night, Luca bid on a Picasso study and three pieces of war-era jewelry, $180 million in collectibles, donated
26:32to the Children's Hospital under my name.
26:35After that, the gala turned into a receiving line.
26:38Mrs. Castellano, there's a small tea at my place next week. Would you grace us?
26:43Mrs. Castellano, my husband is bidding on a Castellano project. Just a quiet word to the Don.
26:48I'd never been on this side of a room. I drank three glasses to keep my hands steady. Luca intercepted
26:54on the fourth.
26:55Apologies, everyone. My wife isn't a drinker. I'll take hers.
26:59He drank. Then he drank for me three more times. By the time we slid into his Rolls Royce, we
27:05were both lit.
27:07I glanced out the window. Sebastian was on the curb, watching us. Mouth curled in that ugly little smirk, like
27:13I was the punchline.
27:15I closed the curtain. Turned to Luca.
27:17Mr. Castellano, thank you. For tonight. For... what you did with Sebastian.
27:24His voice came out low, soft around the edges.
27:28Nora. We're husband and wife. Stop thanking me.
27:33We're a paper husband and wife. You didn't have to.
27:37His arm lifted. Long fingers tilted my chin up. His thumb brushed slow against my jaw.
27:43Nora. What if I don't want a paper marriage anymore?
27:46Nora. He was too close. His face was carved out of something dangerous.
27:51Eyes blown black. Heat from his breath landed on my throat.
27:55He smelled like bourbon and that cedar cologne, and something underneath that was just him.
28:01The most controlled man in New York was looking at my mouth like he wanted it.
28:07Mr. Castellano, you've had too much.
28:14You're right. I'm sorry. I had too much.
28:16The rest of the ride was silence. A heavy, humming silence with my pulse loud in my ears.
28:27Leo saved me. He sprinted at the front door with his picture book.
28:32I scooped him up and ran upstairs before I had to look Luca in the face again.
28:38I tucked Leo in, then opened my laptop and started scrolling job boards.
28:43Sebastian was right about one thing.
28:44My Ivy League degree shouldn't be wasted by eating in a mansion playing house.
28:49I'd done that marriage already. Stayed home. Made myself small.
28:53The minute he didn't need me, he tossed me into the street with nothing.
28:57I'd be damned if I let that happen twice.
29:00While Leo needed me, I had a place here.
29:02The day he didn't, what was I?
29:05Though I'm not ready to go back to work yet, physically or mentally.
29:08But knowing the market, updating a resume, that couldn't hurt.
29:12Then my phone lit up.
29:14A text. From Luca.
29:18The butler did the coffee. Always.
29:21And the first rule of this house was don't go to the third floor.
29:24I ground a fresh espresso anyway.
29:26Then I stood at the bottom of the staircase.
29:29Hesitated.
29:30Was this a test?
29:31Did the last applicant get launched out a window after being summoned upstairs?
29:35Was this revenge for the car?
29:37I called him.
29:40Mr. Castellana. Coffee's here. Come down for it.
29:44Bring it up.
29:45I hit the record button on my phone. Caught it.
29:48If he tried anything sketchy, I had proof.
29:52I climbed the stairs. Knocked.
29:55Come in.
29:56I pushed the door open and forgot how to breathe.
30:02He'd just gotten out of the shower.
30:04Black silk robe, loosely tied at the waist.
30:06A drop slid from his jaw, down his throat, into the open robe.
30:11Bathhouse art.
30:12Renaissance painting.
30:14Holy hell.
30:16He took the coffee.
30:17His fingertips dragged across mine on purpose.
30:21That scared of me?
30:22Nora, am I a monster?
30:26Nora.
30:30From now on, you can come into my room whenever you want.
30:33My face still burned.
30:36The rules of this house and the rules of my heart were both breaking.
30:40I woke up the next morning with a sore throat.
30:42Sneezing.
30:43Of course.
30:44Wet hair.
30:45Late night.
30:45Fancy dress.
30:46Too much champagne.
30:47I shuffled downstairs in sweats, expecting the empty great room.
30:52Lupa was on the couch.
30:53Black turtleneck.
30:54Wireframe glasses.
30:56The combination should be illegal.
30:58Morning.
31:00He set the paper down.
31:01You're sick.
31:03A little.
31:04The back of his hand landed on my forehead, calm, practiced, like he did it every morning.
31:09I went stiff as a board.
31:11Not bad.
31:13I'll grab some Therafex.
31:14You'll be fine.
31:15He guided me to the couch like I was made of glass, walked to the kitchen.
31:19A six-foot-something Mafia Don, stirring a packet of cold medicine into a mug.
31:24Usually, a Don would poison the drink instead.
31:27I caught myself wondering what kind of woman Leo's mother had been to deserve a man like this.
31:41I drank the Theraflu and slunk back to bed.
31:43I didn't want to be in his way, so I just dozed off when an unknown number rang.
31:53Nora, it's me.
31:54Sebastian.
31:55I started to hang up.
31:56Don't.
31:57I'm parked outside the Castellani gate.
31:59Come out or I'll be at the front door, up to you.
32:01I did not want him at the door.
32:03I did not want my past laid out on Luca's marble entryway like roadkill.
32:08Sebastian intercepted me on the sidewalk.
32:10Nora, how long is this stunt going on for?
32:13Mrs. Crane working as a nanny?
32:16You don't feel humiliated, but I do.
32:19I'm not doing anything to you, Sebastian.
32:22Stop the act.
32:23You dressed up last night to make me jealous.
32:26Fine.
32:26I'll admit it.
32:28After you left, I missed you a little.
32:30Here's the deal.
32:31Apologize to my mom and my sister.
32:33We remarry.
32:34You can stop scrubbing floors for strangers.
32:38Sebastian.
32:40I didn't do anything wrong.
32:41What am I apologizing for?
32:44You still don't see the problem?
32:48You haven't been beaten down enough.
32:50I was about to fire back when a small, round cannonball blew past me.
32:53Leo.
32:54When he saw a strange man hassling me, he did not hesitate.
32:57My mom didn't do anything wrong.
32:59My mom is the best mom in the whole world.
33:02He glared up at him like a furious cherub.
33:05Protecting me.
33:06Something cracked open in my chest.
33:08I pulled him in tight.
33:10Kid, what did you just call her?
33:12Isn't she your nanny?
33:14You're a nanny.
33:16Your whole family is a nanny.
33:18Nora is my mom.
33:19My best mom.
33:21He pulled back, anxious.
33:23I nodded.
33:24My eyes were wet again.
33:26Nora, you'll be my mom, right?
33:29I'll be so good.
33:31I promise.
33:33Leo, I am your mom's sweetheart.
33:36He squeezed me tighter and refused to let go.
33:39Sebastian's face twisted into a slow, ugly smile.
33:42Oh, I see it now.
33:46Nora, you're putting a child up to it.
33:49You're playing the long game on Castelloni.
33:52He grabbed my arm.
33:54Listen, Castorano isn't a man you scam.
33:58He's known for ice in his veins.
34:00He finds out you're using his son to angle for him.
34:02He'll bury you in the East River.
34:04A warm hand landed on my waist.
34:07I hadn't heard him come outside.
34:09Luca, he pulled me into him.
34:12Mr. Crane, the last time we spoke, you insulted my wife.
34:16That's why I pulled the mandate.
34:18I was planning to tell the other firms on the street that this was personal.
34:21They could keep doing business with Crane of Papital.
34:24After today, I don't think I need to.
34:27Castellano.
34:28What, you wife?
34:30Who's your wife?
34:31Mr. Crane, are you really still confused?
34:35Or are you only capable of believing what you want to believe?
34:39Nora is my wife.
34:40The mother of my son.
34:43Send him off.
34:45Luca turned to the butler at the door.
34:47If anyone like this bothers Mrs. Castellini again, have my men throw him out.
34:51He took Leo with one arm, wrapped the other around me, walked us inside.
34:56The second the door closed, I peeled out of Luca's arm.
34:59Awkward as hell.
35:01I took Leo upstairs to my room.
35:05Leo, where were you all morning?
35:07I didn't see you all day.
35:10Don't even ask.
35:11Dad sent me to preschool.
35:13What?
35:14You preschool?
35:16He said he didn't want you working too hard.
35:20He said he needed alone time with you.
35:25Why does he need alone time with me?
35:28Dad said he had to make you fall in love with him.
35:31Otherwise, you might leave us.
35:33Leo was four sentences into his report when Luca appeared in the doorway.
35:38Leo.
35:39Downstairs.
35:40Dinner.
35:41Stop bothering your mother.
35:42My whole face hot.
35:43Mom, I'll be back to keep you company in a bit.
35:48He scampered out.
35:49Luca didn't leave.
35:51He walked in.
35:53Feeling better?
35:54I looked sideways.
35:56Mr. Castellano, thank you for what you did.
36:00Please don't ruin a business decision for me.
36:03I'm really not worth it.
36:06Not worth what?
36:08What you did out there.
36:11Nora, I told you.
36:13You're my wife.
36:15Protecting you is my job.
36:18But-
36:18Stop calling this a paper marriage.
36:21Nora.
36:23I want a real one.
36:24I had not expected him to swing this hard, this fast.
36:28My face went up in flames.
36:30I'll give you time.
36:31Take whatever you need.
36:33But right now, I want to collect just a little husband privilege.
36:37Before I could form a coherent thought, he leaned in.
36:40A long, warm hand cradled my cheek.
36:42Can I?
36:43I didn't say a word.
36:46I'll take this as consent.
36:48Then his lips crashed against mine, hard and ruthless.
36:51His tongue swept into my mouth, stealing the air from my lungs.
36:55Right.
36:56This was how a mafia boss kissed.
36:58Cold.
36:59Merciless.
37:00Taking whatever he wanted.
37:01The kiss lasted so long, my mind went blank by the time he finally pulled away.
37:06He rubbed his thumb over my swollen lips.
37:09My little princess, that's enough for today.
37:16Next time, I won't let you off so easily.
37:19Leo got hauled to preschool again the next morning, under protest.
37:24My cold was almost gone.
37:26Luca asked if I wanted to see a movie.
37:28After everything that had happened, I thought about it.
37:30We were married on paper.
37:32If something real was going to grow there, that wasn't the worst outcome.
37:36He had a private media room on the third floor.
37:39It was my first time entering other room in third floor.
37:42Before that, he showed me his collection room.
37:44One entire wall was covered in cold weapons.
37:48Daggers, knives, blades of every kind.
37:51Honestly, it was breathtaking.
37:53I was still standing there staring at the wall when he stepped up behind me and fastened
37:57a necklace around my neck.
37:59Another snake.
38:00Exactly like the tattoo on his body.
38:02A little gift.
38:05Don't reject it.
38:06Then he took my hand and led me into the media room.
38:09He put on a French romance film.
38:11Slow, elegant kisses on the screen.
38:13Mixed with far less elegant sounds in the background, Luca leaned closer, his voice brushing against
38:19my ear.
38:21Nora.
38:23Yes?
38:24I closed my eyes, my fingers tightening around the snake pendant, like a girl being offered
38:29up as a sacrifice.
38:31His body covered mine as his mouth came down on mine.
38:35Soft at first.
38:36Careful.
38:37One hand slid gently around my throat.
38:39Then the kiss deepened.
38:41Rougher.
38:42Heavier.
38:42The kind that stole every thought from my head.
38:45He pulled off the white tank top, and for the first time, I saw the snake tattoo stretched
38:50across his chest.
38:52One of the snake's eyes was a scar.
38:54I leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss against it.
38:57I felt his breathing stop for a second.
38:59Then he pushed me down onto bed.
39:02I could feel the hard heat of him against me.
39:04Soon, the room filled with ragged breathing.
39:07That night, I offered myself to a mafia boss.
39:10After all the hot, chaotic moans, he kept me tucked against my chest.
39:14He slid a glossy stack of brochures into my hand.
39:18Nora, pick a wedding planner.
39:21I owe you a real wedding.
39:25You don't have to.
39:26The dawn's wife should carry that honor forever.
39:29I want every person in this city to know Nora Bennett is my wife, and I'm her husband.
39:36I only regret I didn't put it all at your feet the night you walked through that door.
39:40I laughed into his shoulder.
39:43The night I walked through that door, we didn't even know each other.
39:47How were we supposed to?
39:49Nora, the night I saw you in that doorway, I already wanted you.
39:55Our wedding was bigger than anything New York had hosted in a decade.
39:59Old families, new money, senators, a cardinal, the mayor.
40:03We were on the front page for three days running.
40:06I scolded Luke of the butler beamed.
40:08Mrs. Castellino, the dawn has been quiet his entire life.
40:13This is the first time he's ever been loud.
40:15Indulge him this once.
40:17I let it go.
40:18The night of the wedding, a strange number called me.
40:21My brow furrowed.
40:22Luca's long arm reached over and killed the call.
40:25His fingers tightened on my waist.
40:27Mrs. Castellino, eyes on me.
40:30After, he was winding a strand of my hair around his finger.
40:34He cleared his throat, a little awkward.
40:36Nora, I want to tell you a secret.
40:39I made a small, sleepy sound.
40:41Leo isn't my son.
40:43He's my sisters.
40:44He spoke quietly, in pieces.
40:46His parents had died when he was 13.
40:49He and his elder sister went through a dark period in this empire.
40:53Until one day, she married.
40:55Had Leo.
40:55But happiness suddenly ended, when she and her husband were killed in a shooting three
41:00years ago.
41:01Luca wiped out that whole family then.
41:04He put Leo on his own birth certificate, quietly, so nobody could ever take him.
41:09I thought it would be Leo and me forever.
41:11Then you walked in, and nothing was the same.
41:15He kissed me again.
41:16A few months later, I walked out of the hospital alongside Leo.
41:20Mom, Dad said you weren't sick anymore.
41:23Why'd we go to the hospital?
41:26Because Mom has a baby in her belly.
41:30Yes!
41:30I finally get a sister!
41:32What if it's a brother?
41:36If it's a brother, we throw him in the trash.
41:39If it's a sister, she plays with me.
41:42Out of the mouths of babes, I was laughing when a figure stepped in front of me.
41:46A man.
41:47Wild hair.
41:48Filthy coat.
41:50Hunched shoulders.
41:51I almost dug for a few bucks.
41:54Sebastian Crane.
41:56Nora?
41:58Leo planted himself in front of me on instinct.
42:00I pulled him to my side and squeezed his shoulder.
42:03Sebastian, what happened to you?
42:09Nora, help me.
42:11You're the only one who can.
42:12All of New York knows Castelloni loves you.
42:14He'll listen to you.
42:15Please.
42:16Then I remembered what Luca had mentioned, weeks back.
42:19First, the Castellano family cut all ties with Crane Capital.
42:23Then the rest of New York followed.
42:25Nobody wanted to risk losing Castellano favor.
42:28Within weeks, Sebastian's company collapsed.
42:30His sister Cassandra, the person he trusted most, had been stealing client money for years.
42:36The moment everything fell apart, she fled to the south of France with her family.
42:40She left Sebastian alone to take the blame.
42:42Crane Capital went bankrupt overnight.
42:45Now Sebastian stood in front of me, sobbing, begging.
42:48I didn't feel anything for him.
42:50Sebastian, people are equal.
42:53Your fault, your mess, you pay for it.
42:56No one can help you.
42:58Behind me, the lobby doors slid open.
43:00Luca had just finished with my OB.
43:02He walked toward us.
43:03Nora, let's go home.
43:04We walked past Sebastian Crane like he wasn't there.
43:07Because he wasn't.
43:08Not in our life.
43:09Not anymore.
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