- 9 hours ago
Too late to beg New Ep,20 SM
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Before the wedding, my fiancé's mother invited his first love to spend three nights with him.
00:05It's the Moretti way.
00:06Before the wedding, my son spends three nights with his past love.
00:10A gesture of gratitude. A proper goodbye.
00:13The absurdity hit me like a slap.
00:16I turned to Marco. He didn't push back.
00:19It's tradition, Bella.
00:21You want the Moretti name? You play by Moretti rules.
00:24He just leaned back on the couch, lit a cigarette, and smirked.
00:28Besides, you waited eight years for this ring. It's three nights. You can handle it.
00:32Everyone in that room expected me to lose it.
00:34I just nodded.
00:36Fine. I respect the Moretti tradition.
00:38Because one second earlier, my phone had buzzed.
00:41Luca Castellano. Head of the Castellano Empire.
00:44The oldest and most powerful crime family on the East Coast.
00:48Also the man I personally burned eight years ago when I turned down our arranged marriage to be with Marco.
00:53Bella. Say the word. I'll make this disappear.
00:55Three days later, on what was supposed to be my wedding night, the groomsmen shoved Marco through the bedroom door.
01:01They froze the second they saw the bed.
01:04I wasn't alone.
01:04I was lying there with a powerful, muscular man.
01:07Under everyone's shocked gazes, I lazily wrapped my arm around the man's waist.
01:12Oh, I forgot to mention, my family has a tradition too.
01:15On the wedding night, the bride has a man of her choosing test the bed first.
01:19To make sure her groom actually measures up.
01:22As Marco's mother declared their ridiculous custom before the guests, I said, fine.
01:27Without a word of hesitation, Marco left me and moved in with Vanessa.
01:32Three full days.
01:33Not a single call.
01:34Not a single text.
01:35The night before the wedding, I tracked him down at the Morelli family's private club in Lower Manhattan.
01:40Vanessa tucked under his arm.
01:41The whole bath loud and lute.
01:42I pushed the door open.
01:43Every voice in the room cut out at once.
01:45What are you doing here?
01:46Am I interrupting the reunion?
01:48Bella, don't read into it.
01:49A lot of the old families do this.
01:51A clean goodbye before the wedding is a sign of respect.
01:54The boss is 100% yours after tonight.
01:56I know.
01:56Like I told you.
01:58I get it.
01:59Damn, boss really has her trained.
02:01No training involved.
02:02She loves me too much to do a damn thing about it.
02:04She's mine.
02:05She knows it.
02:07Seeing I still hadn't moved, someone got bold.
02:11Boss, last night before the wedding.
02:17Let's make it interesting.
02:22Go ahead.
02:25Start with a deep French kiss, Vanessa.
02:28Right here.
02:29Right now.
02:32Marco smiled.
02:33He grabbed Vanessa by the back of the neck and kissed her.
02:39Deep, slow, deliberate, right in front of me.
02:43The whole booth erupted.
02:45I watched for exactly three seconds.
02:48My voice cut through the noise.
02:50The wedding is tomorrow, Marco.
02:52Don't be late.
02:52I turned and walked out.
02:54Behind me, Tony's voice carried over the laughter.
02:56Boss, your girl just watched you make out with your ex and didn't even flinch.
02:59You know how rare that is?
03:01Lucky bastard doesn't know what he's got.
03:02I stopped walking.
03:04Of course.
03:04She's been with me eight years and she survived three miscarriages.
03:09She can handle a little kiss.
03:10The deepest pain of my life.
03:12And he just used it as a punchline.
03:14The first time, we were still in college.
03:17Marco was just a runner for the family.
03:19A kid right now is a liability, Bella.
03:21So I walked into that clinic alone and made a choice I never recovered from.
03:27The second time, he'd just been promoted to capo.
03:30We were in Brooklyn for a meeting when a rival crew hit us.
03:34I was two months along.
03:35I lost the baby on a hospital hallway floor.
03:38The third time was two years ago.
03:41Ectopic pregnancy.
03:43Internal bleeding.
03:44Emergency surgery.
03:46They took one of my fallopian tubes.
03:50Afterward, Marco knelt at my bedside and slapped himself across the face.
03:55He cried.
03:56He swore he'd spend the rest of his life making it up to me.
04:00Now he's underboss.
04:01He's made it.
04:03And he's decided that means I have nowhere else to go.
04:06He thinks I can't live without him.
04:09He's about to find out how wrong he is.
04:11I got home and went straight to bed.
04:13Then Marco called.
04:14His voice was slow, relaxed.
04:16That particular kind of satisfied that told me everything I needed to know about his night.
04:21Were you upset about earlier?
04:22No.
04:23You've been so agreeable lately, Bella.
04:25It's honestly starting to throw me off.
04:27Look, Vanessa flew all the way back from Palermo just because she heard I was getting married.
04:30Don't read too much into it.
04:32She's the past.
04:33You're the one I'm marrying.
04:34It's a family tradition I have to honor.
04:36That's all.
04:36Fair enough.
04:37You respect your legacy and I'll respect mine.
04:40Tomorrow I hope you're ready to honor the Serrano tradition too.
04:42Of course.
04:43What kind of tradition is this?
04:44Marco, last night.
04:45Don't get distracted.
04:46Tell me, who feels better?
04:47Me or your little fiance?
04:48Bella, wedding's tomorrow.
04:50Be there.
04:50Be good.
04:50I stared at the screen after the call ended.
04:52Funny thing about reaching your limit.
04:54It doesn't feel like pain anymore.
04:55It just feels like nothing.
04:57Something inside me went quiet.
04:58Not broken.
04:59Just done.
05:00I turned my phone off and went to sleep.
05:03The first message on my phone that morning was from Gina.
05:07Grainy video.
05:08Low light.
05:09Two bodies.
05:10The caption read,
05:11Coming back to the States was worth every minute.
05:13Didn't stop all night.
05:15Eight years apart and he's still just as addictive as I remember.
05:18Vanessa made sure I saw her staking her claim.
05:21Vanessa and Marco celebrated too soon.
05:24What they didn't know was I'd already set things in motion.
05:28I put my phone away, got in the car, and drove to my own wedding.
05:32Calm, dry-eyed.
05:34Like I was running an errand.
05:35By the time I sat down in the makeup chair, Gina was already shaking.
05:39Madama!
05:40What is wrong with him?
05:42This isn't tradition.
05:43This is just cheating with extra steps.
05:45In front of the whole city?
05:47You cut off your entire family for this man, Bella.
05:50You went to war with your father.
05:53And Marco stood before God and swore he'd never hurt you.
05:57Now he's in bed with that Sicilian bitch the night before your wedding?
06:01Does he feel anything at all?
06:03You know the first time it wouldn't make stress to Voss if you weren't in a game.
06:07Probably not.
06:08When Marco and I got together, the Morettos were a second-year family at best.
06:14He was nobody.
06:16A street-level runner trying to climb.
06:18My father said,
06:19Bella, you are a Serrano.
06:21You do not throw yourself away on a thug with ambition.
06:25Luca Castellano, that is the man you marry.
06:28I told my father no.
06:30I walked away from the arranged marriage.
06:33Walked away from my family.
06:34Walked away from everything they'd built.
06:36And Marco?
06:38He knelt before an icon of the Virgin Mary and swore on his life he would never betray me.
06:44I've thought about when exactly I lost him.
06:47I think it was six months ago.
06:48A call from Palermo.
06:50Vanessa, freshly out of a relationship, coming home.
06:52That was it.
06:53That one phone call.
06:54Eight years, three losses.
06:55Every sacrifice I made and all it took was her voice on a line to pull him back.
06:59Bella, please.
07:01Tell me you're not actually going through with this.
07:03Why are you still marrying him?
07:05I looked at her.
07:05I reached up and wiped the tear from the corner of her eye.
07:08You've known me your whole life.
07:10So you already know the answer.
07:12In this family, women don't cry.
07:14You just make me sure the debt gets paid.
07:18Blood for blood.
07:1920 minutes before the ceremony, that's when Marco finally showed up.
07:23His crew practically applauded.
07:25Boss!
07:26Seven rounds last night?
07:27We weren't sure you'd make it out of bed.
07:29Almost sent someone in your place.
07:31You really don't give me enough credit.
07:32Then his eyes found me.
07:34For just a second, something crossed his face.
07:37Surprise?
07:38Maybe even guilt.
07:40Damn, Bella.
07:41You almost make me feel guilty.
07:43Don't listen to those idiots.
07:45Seven rounds?
07:46They're joking.
07:47Vanessa had a stomach ache this morning.
07:48Things ran a little late, that's all.
07:50I smiled back and said nothing.
07:51Then a face popped out from behind him, grinning like the cat that got the green.
07:55Happy wedding day, Bella.
07:57So happy for you both.
07:59Vanessa.
07:59She was a mess this morning.
08:01Begged to come.
08:02I didn't see the harm.
08:04Don't worry.
08:04The tradition's done.
08:06I'll keep my distance after today.
08:08Beside me, Gina went sturdy.
08:10I put my hand on her arm before she could open her mouth.
08:13She came all this way.
08:14She's a guest.
08:15Vanessa looked me over, slowly, head to toe.
08:18Bella, your dress is lovely.
08:22Very understated.
08:24Not every girl can pull off something so simple.
08:27Then she turned to Marco with a playful pout.
08:30Wait, didn't you get her a Vera Wang?
08:32Because I remember when we were 18, you told me our wedding to have a custom limited edition Vera Wang.
08:37The plaza, the Morelli family diamonds, 300 guests minimum.
08:41You said a million dollar wedding was the only thing good enough.
08:44So, what happened?
08:46The whole room went silent.
08:48Every bridesmaid stopped breathing, eyes moving back and forth between us.
08:51Marco cleared his throat.
08:53Bella and I have been together so long.
08:55We're past needing all the fanfare.
08:57Right.
08:58I'd always known.
08:59In his heart, the scale was never level.
09:01It was always tipped toward her.
09:03The photos.
09:04The tears.
09:04The DJ started warming up the ballroom.
09:07The big screens came alive with photos.
09:09Marco and me.
09:10Eight years of moments on a loop.
09:12Vanessa watched for maybe 30 seconds.
09:14Then she started crying.
09:16Bella, I'm so jealous.
09:18She said it to me.
09:19Her eyes went straight to Marco.
09:21I don't think I'll ever get this.
09:22The doctors found something.
09:24Lupus.
09:25No cure.
09:27I just wanted to know what it felt like to have a wedding of my own.
09:31Just once.
09:32Before the end.
09:33He watched her like she was the only person in the room.
09:36Then he turned to me.
09:38Bella, let Vanessa take your place for the ceremony.
09:41Are you out of your goddamn mind?
09:44You can't just swap out a bride.
09:46Who are you actually marrying, Marco?
09:48Her or Bella?
09:49It's symbolic.
09:51We give her this one moment.
09:53Bella still signs the papers at City Hall tomorrow.
09:56Nothing changes.
09:57He crouched down to my eye level.
09:59His voice went soft.
10:00His usual appeasing tone.
10:02Bella, you made it through three days.
10:04What's one more hour?
10:06I promise you.
10:07Vanessa gets the vows, but the one in my bed tonight is you.
10:10A ceremony is just words.
10:12Tonight is what actually counts, isn't it?
10:14Then he raised his hand and made the sign of the cross over his heart.
10:18The same gesture.
10:20The same hand.
10:21The same man who once swore before the Virgin Mari he would never betray me.
10:26From the ballroom, I could hear guests starting to murmur, wondering where the bride was.
10:30The bridesmaids were looking at me like I was already pathetic.
10:33I didn't care.
10:34Fine.
10:35Marco exhaled.
10:36He reached over and ruffled my hair.
10:38The way you'd pet a dog that finally sat on command.
10:41That's my girl.
10:43Go up to the honeymoon suite.
10:44I'll be there the second the vows are done.
10:47Honestly, I didn't want to say those vows anyway.
10:49I was more than happy to skip straight to the wedding night, because I'd already prepared my wedding night surprise.
10:56Downstairs, the ballroom was loud with music and toasts.
10:59Up here, it was just me.
11:03This penthouse was the first thing Marco bought after he made capo.
11:07I was the one who decorated it.
11:09The bedding, the candles, the white rose petals scattered across the floor, every detail, chosen by my hands.
11:15I sat there looking at all of it and thought, what a waste.
11:18Gina came through the door like she was trying to knock it off its hinges.
11:21You give a staping on your wedding!
11:23She was shaking.
11:24That son of bitch!
11:27The second you left, they killed the slideshow.
11:30Dawn, for the wedding, replaced every photo of you with pictures of him and Vanessa.
11:35And the dress?
11:37You're not going to believe this.
11:39He had a million-dollar wedding gown ready for her all along.
11:47They even brought in a whole new guest list.
11:51Now, half the room was Vanessa's family and friends!
11:55This was never your wedding, Bella!
11:58He used you to throw one for her.
12:00He did it because your father wasn't there.
12:02He saw no one watching your back, so he took the shot!
12:04And he burned it all down with a smile.
12:07It's fine, Gina.
12:08I'm keeping a very careful tab.
12:10Every single thing gets paid back.
12:12He showed up around eight, drunk enough to sway slightly, satisfied enough to smile about it.
12:17Bella, ceremony's done.
12:22Vanessa's gone.
12:23From here on out, there's nothing between us.
12:25I mean it this time.
12:27He dropped on Ted beside me and pulled me against his shoulder.
12:33You're not mad about today, are you?
12:36No.
12:37He let out a long breath.
12:39God, you are something else.
12:41Starting tonight, it's just you and me.
12:44I'm going to spend the rest of my life...
12:46His phone rang.
12:47The second he picked up, I could hear Vanessa on the other end, muffled, ragged, crying.
12:52Marco.
12:53Hello?
12:53I didn't mean to bother you, but I fell down the stairs.
12:56There's so much blood.
12:57Vanessa?
12:58What happened?
12:59Are you okay?
13:00His face changed completely.
13:02He was already standing up.
13:03Marco loaned to not in Whirl.
13:05Bella, I have to go.
13:07You just said...
13:07I know.
13:08This is the last time.
13:09I swear.
13:10He raised his hand and made the sign of the cross over his heart.
13:13Third time he'd done that.
13:14Same hand, same chest.
13:16Different lie.
13:1730 minutes.
13:18I'll be back.
13:19What a joke.
13:20How much is his promise even worth?
13:22Go.
13:23Once a man's heart wanders, nothing can hold him back.
13:27He grabbed his jacket and walked out without looking back.
13:31The suite fell silent.
13:33A moment later, the door creaked open.
13:35A tall silhouette filled the doorway.
13:37The man I'd been waiting for was finally here.
13:4130 minutes later, the hallway exploded with noise.
13:44The groommen...
13:45The groomsmen...
13:46Hammered into howling.
13:50Boss told us not to stir shit up?
13:52That's rich.
13:52He spends all night with Vanessa.
13:54Seven rounds, no less.
13:55And now he's got nothing left for Bella?
13:56Bella's been loyal to him for eight years.
13:57I'm the first one calling bullshit.
13:59Exactly.
13:59We're raising hell tonight.
14:00However it goes, boss owes Bella her seven rounds.
14:04The laughing stopped like someone cut the power.
14:07Every one of them frozen in the doorframe.
14:10Marco cleaned it up, put a bandage on it, and stood.
14:13You're fine.
14:14Just a scrape on your thigh.
14:16Vanessa, I have to go.
14:18I'm Bella's husband now.
14:21This has to stop.
14:22All of it.
14:23Marco grabbed his jacket off the chair.
14:25You need something, you call Tony.
14:26He'll take care of you.
14:28He meant it.
14:29For the first time in a long time, he actually meant it.
14:32Vanessa's eyes filled immediately.
14:34She grabbed his sleeve with both hands.
14:38Marco, please.
14:39One more night.
14:41I don't have anyone here.
14:43I'm alone in this whole country, and I'm scared, and I just...
14:47He pulled his arm free.
14:53I can't.
14:55He checked his watch.
14:56An hour.
14:58He'd promised me 30 minutes.
15:00He'd been gone a full hour.
15:03His phone was going insane.
15:07Rack says he for two minutes.
15:10The crew, back to back, four calls in two minutes.
15:14He figured it was the usual noise.
15:17Guys drunk at the party, wanting him back.
15:20He hit to client.
15:22Marco frowned.
15:23That wasn't party noise.
15:25In the group chat.
15:26The first one stopped him cold.
15:29Boss, holy shit.
15:31Your wife's in bed with another man.
15:33The second one.
15:34Marco, man, answer your phone and get back here.
15:37Now.
15:38Marco scrolled down.
15:39The image was blurry, shot fast, bad lighting, someone's shaking hand.
15:44But the background was unmistakable.
15:46His penthouse.
15:47His honeymoon suite.
15:48The bed he'd told Bella to wait for him in.
15:51And in the middle of that bed, another man.
15:53Marco ripped his phone to his ear and called back.
15:57The background of the call was pure chaos.
15:59What the hell is going on?
16:01Tony's voice came through, hesitant and shaky.
16:05We don't know, boss.
16:07We came up to pull a wedding night prank like we said before.
16:10And the second we burst in, there's a guy.
16:14He's half naked, lying right there in your bed.
16:18And Bella?
16:19She looks like she's pretty damn comfortable with him.
16:21Boss, you're being played.
16:23Get back here now.
16:24Marco gripped the phone so hard his knuckles turned white.
16:27His eyes were bloodshot.
16:29Bella had been with him for eight years.
16:31She loved him so much she'd set her own family on fire just to stay by his side.
16:36How could she cheat?
16:37In his mind, it didn't matter how far he put.
16:39He would never leave him.
16:40They had spent years together.
16:42She was there when he was a nobody.
16:43She'd endured three miscarriages without a single complaint.
16:46She'd even kept her cool when he moved in with his ex right before their wedding.
16:49There had to be a mistake.
16:51She couldn't be cheating.
16:52Right then, Vanessa leaned over his shoulder and peeked at the screen.
16:56She let out a sharp gasp.
16:58Marco!
16:59Your wife is sleeping around?
17:01How could she?
17:03It's your wedding night!
17:04How does she have the nerve to bring some stray man into your honeymoon suite?
17:09Are you really going to let her get away with this?
17:12Marco couldn't breathe.
17:13He couldn't wait another second.
17:17He grabbed his jacket and sprinted out the door.
17:23When he slammed into the suite, the tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
17:28His crew was standing in a circle around the bed, surrounding the man.
17:33Tony stepped forward.
17:34His face twisted with anger.
17:35Boss!
17:36Boss!
17:37Don't worry!
17:38We've been guarding the place.
17:40This bastard hasn't had the chance to touch Bella yet.
17:43You got here just in time.
17:44Give us the word and we'll take him for a ride.
17:47Marco's gaze shifted to the bed.
17:49Luca Castellona was lying there, right where Marco was supposed to be.
17:53He looked completely relaxed, as if he owned the room.
17:57He didn't even bother to look up when Marco walked in.
18:02Marco, you're finally home.
18:06You said 30 minutes.
18:07I've been waiting over an hour.
18:09Waiting?
18:10Waiting for me to catch you in the act?
18:12Bella, you better start explaining who the hell this guy is right now!
18:15Of course.
18:17That's exactly why I waited for you to come back.
18:19So I could explain it to your face.
18:21I reached out and pulled back the duvet.
18:24Slowly, right in front of everyone,
18:26I let my hand slide over Luca's firm, chiseled abs.
18:30As Marco's face turned a violent shade of purple,
18:32I let out a soft laugh.
18:34This is what I told you about, Marco.
18:36The Serrano family tradition.
18:37On the wedding night,
18:38the bride chooses a man to make sure the groom measures up
18:41right in front of her husband.
18:42Marco froze for two seconds,
18:44his jaw twitching in pure rage.
18:47Bella, are you fucking kidding me?
18:49What tradition?
18:52I have never heard of any family having a rule this insane
18:54or disgusting!
18:56If a Maradi groom gets three nights with his ex,
19:01a Serrano bride gets a man of her own choosing.
19:06I let out a cold, sharp laugh.
19:09Marco, it doesn't work that way.
19:11You demanded that I stay quiet and accept your bullshit tradition.
19:15The least you can do is respect mine.
19:17The room went deathly silent.
19:22That's when Gina came charging in.
19:26What's the matter, Marco?
19:28You only follow Morelli rules?
19:30The Serrano family name doesn't mean anything to you?
19:33She stared him down with a mocking smur.
19:35You spent three days in bed with your first love?
19:38Seven rounds, right?
19:40Bella doing this once on her wedding night?
19:42That seems pretty fair to me.
19:44Besides, a man's word is his bond.
19:47You gave her your word before the wedding
19:48that you'd accept this rule.
19:50You're not a liar, are you?
19:52She started grabbing the groomsmen by their arms
19:54and shoving them towards the hallway.
19:57Alright, the groom is here!
19:58The show is about to start!
20:00Let's go, boys!
20:02The husband needs some privacy
20:04to watch his bride and her ex-lover
20:06get down to business.
20:08Clear out!
20:09Enough!
20:12Marco finally snapped.
20:13He let out an animalistic roar
20:15that shook the room.
20:16Bella!
20:17You're doing this on purpose
20:18just to get back at me!
20:20This is revenge for me staying with Vanessa!
20:22For the last three days
20:24you found some random guy
20:25just to fuck with me, didn't you?
20:28Yes.
20:29Since he decided to say it out loud
20:31I wasn't going to pull any punches.
20:33I stared directly into his bloodshot eyes
20:35a mocking smile playing on my lips.
20:38Marco, you were the one
20:39who betrayed us first.
20:41You took my dignity
20:42and you dragged it through the dirt
20:44for everyone to see.
20:46You cheated in broad daylight
20:48and expected me to just take it?
20:49Why on earth did you think
20:50I would stay silent
20:51while you spit in my face?
20:53And honestly,
20:54you gave your whole wedding to Vanessa.
20:56As far as the world is concerned
20:58she's your wife.
20:59So who I sleep with
21:00really isn't any of your business, is it?
21:02Marco suddenly went quiet.
21:04Fine.
21:04I admit it.
21:06The tradition was a lie.
21:08The wedding was for Vanessa.
21:09I lied to you.
21:11But I had a reason, Bella.
21:12I had a reason for all of it.
21:14Vanessa has lupus.
21:16The doctors said there's no cure.
21:18She just wanted to feel loved
21:19one last time before she dies.
21:21She was on her knees, Bella.
21:22She was sobbing, begging me.
21:24I didn't have the heart to say no.
21:26He looked at me,
21:27his voice trembling
21:28with a mix of desperation and guilt.
21:30I told you I was done with her
21:31and I meant it.
21:32I made it clear today.
21:33From this second on, I am yours.
21:35I will be loyal.
21:36I will never speak to Vanessa again.
21:37So stop this game.
21:38Send this man away
21:39and I'll pretend tonight never happened.
21:41Pretend it never happened?
21:43It was almost funny.
21:44Almost.
21:45He cheated on me.
21:46He spent three days in bed
21:48with another woman right under my nose.
21:50And now he was acting like
21:51he was doing me a favor by forgiving me?
21:53The audacity was staggering.
21:55Marco's crew started chomming in,
21:57trying to smooth things over.
21:58Come on, Bella.
21:59Don't do this to the boss.
22:01He only said yes to Vanessa
22:02because he felt sorry for her.
22:03You know you're the only one he loves.
22:05You guys have eight years of history.
22:06You can't just throw that away
22:07over a misunderstanding.
22:09Exactly.
22:09It's your wedding night.
22:10Kick this guy out
22:11so we can all move on.
22:12Don't let this become a joke.
22:13That's when Luca finally spoke.
22:15You want to kick me out?
22:16His voice was slow and smooth
22:18like he was savoring
22:19a fine glass of bourbon.
22:20Then make me.
22:21Luca got out of bed
22:22with a deliberate, slow grace.
22:25He walked over
22:26and wrapped a heavy,
22:26possessive arm around my shoulders.
22:28He looked at Marco
22:29with a look of pure,
22:30satisfied laziness.
22:32Bella,
22:32you promised me tonight was mine.
22:34You're not going to break your word,
22:36are you?
22:36Get your hands off her!
22:38Marco lunged forward,
22:39ripping Luca's hand away from my shoulder.
22:41His eyes were burning
22:42with a manic fury.
22:43Who the fuck are you
22:44to touch my wife?
22:45Who the hell do you think
22:46you're talking to?
22:47Luca just brushed his sleeve
22:49where Marco had touched him
22:50and let out a soft,
22:51mocking huff.
22:52I'm Bella's ex.
22:53And according to the
22:54Serrano family tradition,
22:56I'm the one spending
22:57the wedding night with her.
22:58Bullshit!
22:59Bella never dated anyone before me.
23:01I'm her first.
23:02Her only.
23:03She doesn't have an ex.
23:05You're a fake.
23:06You're just some guy
23:07she hired to piss me off.
23:09Busted.
23:09Luca's lips curled
23:11into a lazy,
23:11dangerous smirk.
23:13You're right.
23:13I'm not Bella's ex-boyfriend.
23:15Actually,
23:15I'm her fiancé.
23:16What are you talking about?
23:17I'm her fiancé.
23:19I'm the one she's marrying.
23:20Marco.
23:21I cut him off,
23:22my voice cold and lethal.
23:23Don't forget,
23:24you already got married today.
23:26Your wife is Vanessa.
23:27The two of you stood in front
23:28of 300 guests
23:29and exchanged vows.
23:30You and I,
23:31we're done.
23:32I looked him straight in the eyes
23:33as the realization
23:34started to sink in.
23:35Luca is the man
23:36my parents chose for me years ago.
23:37Cerrone and Castellino families
23:39had this plan
23:39since we were kids.
23:40So yes,
23:41he's my actual fiancé.
23:42And if I want to spend
23:43a little time reconnecting with him,
23:44what business is it of yours?
23:46Marco froze.
23:46Every bit of color
23:48drained from his face
23:49until he looked like a ghost.
23:51Luca let his gaze
23:52sweep across the room,
23:53looking at the crew
23:54like they were ants.
23:55All right,
23:56I'm going to spend
23:57a wonderful night
23:57with my bride-to-be.
23:58Unless you guys
23:59are planning on staying to watch?
24:00This is my house!
24:02I bought this place!
24:03This is my honeymoon suite!
24:05My bed!
24:06Gotta work in a treat!
24:07Best down!
24:08You don't get to come
24:09into my home
24:10and act like you own the place!
24:11Luca looked around the room
24:13with fake curiosity.
24:14You know what,
24:15you're right.
24:15This place is quaint.
24:17He turned back to me,
24:18pulling me close
24:19and tucking a strand of hair
24:20behind my ear.
24:21Let's go, Bella.
24:22I'm taking you home.
24:23I promise you'll forget
24:24this pathetic little room
24:25ever existed
24:25before the sun comes up.
24:27He tightened his grip
24:27on my waist
24:28and started leading me
24:29toward the door.
24:30Marco threw himself
24:31in front of us,
24:32grabbing my wrist
24:33with a desperate,
24:34crushing grip.
24:35Let her go!
24:36I'm not letting you
24:37take Bella anywhere.
24:38She's my wife!
24:40You have no right!
24:42Let go of her.
24:43Luca's eyes
24:44finally turned cold.
24:45Marco refused to budge.
24:47The standoff lasted
24:48less than three seconds
24:49before the door
24:50was kicked open.
24:51A group of men
24:52in sharp black suits
24:53swarmed the room.
24:54The light caught
24:55the holsters
24:55beneath their jackets.
24:58Before Marco
24:59could even blink,
25:00two soldiers
25:01had him pinned
25:02by the arms.
25:03He thrashed against them,
25:04his voice rising
25:05to a frantic,
25:06grief-stricken howl.
25:07Get off me!
25:08Who the hell are you?
25:10You can't do this!
25:11Hurry!
25:12Bella, just take my wife!
25:14You can't just take my wife!
25:15As Luca led me
25:16toward the door,
25:17Marco's screams
25:18started to break.
25:19Ah!
25:20The rage turned
25:21into a pathetic,
25:22choked-up sob.
25:24Bella, please!
25:24Don't go!
25:25Come back!
25:26I'm sorry!
25:27I'm so sorry!
25:29I shouldn't have lied!
25:30It's you, Bella!
25:31You're the one
25:31I really love!
25:32You're the only one
25:33I wanted to marry!
25:35Please,
25:35don't leave with him!
25:37I felt nothing.
25:38His love was so cheap,
25:39I didn't even look back
25:40as I walked out of the room.
25:42Once we were gone,
25:43the soldiers tossed Marco
25:44onto the floor
25:45like a piece of trash.
25:47He stayed there
25:48on his knees,
25:49his entire body shaking
25:50with a mix of fury
25:52and heartbreak.
25:53Why?
25:54Why, Bella?
25:57How could you do this
25:58to me?
25:59His crew was finally
26:00starting to snap out
26:01of their shock.
26:02Tony swallowed hard,
26:03his face going pale
26:04as he looked
26:05at the retreating soldiers.
26:06Boss,
26:07I thought that guy
26:08looked familiar.
26:09Those weren't just
26:10hired muscle,
26:11those were
26:11Castelloni soldiers.
26:12That man,
26:13that was Luca Castellano,
26:15the head of the
26:16Castellano Empire.
26:17Finance,
26:17real estate,
26:18weapons,
26:19they own the whole
26:20East Coast.
26:21Even the politicians
26:22are in their pocket.
26:23Boss,
26:24this isn't a fight,
26:25this is an execution.
26:27We can't win this.
26:28After we left
26:28Marco's penthouse,
26:29Luca drove me
26:30straight back
26:30to the Serrano estate.
26:33The moment my parents
26:35saw me walk through
26:35the door with Luca,
26:37their eyes filled
26:38with tears.
26:39There were no lectures.
26:40No, I told you so.
26:42My father just
26:43pulled me into a hug,
26:44his voice thick
26:45with emotion.
26:46You're home.
26:47That's all that matters.
26:48Seeing how much
26:49older my parents looked,
26:50how the gray
26:51had settled
26:52into their hair,
26:53I couldn't hold
26:54it back anymore.
26:55Mom,
26:56Dad,
26:56I'm so sorry,
26:58I was wrong.
26:59Eight years ago,
27:00I was obsessed
27:00with Marco.
27:01He was a nobody
27:02back then.
27:03My parents tried
27:04everything to stop me,
27:06but I wouldn't
27:07listen to anyone.
27:08I remember my father
27:09told me,
27:10Marco isn't for you,
27:11Bella.
27:12One day,
27:12you're going to come
27:13back here in tears.
27:15It took eight years,
27:16but he was right.
27:17I had lost everything.
27:19My mother squeezed
27:19my hand,
27:20her eyes soft.
27:22It's okay,
27:22baby.
27:23We were all young
27:24and stubborn once.
27:26You found your way back.
27:28That's enough for me.
27:29My father looked over
27:30at Luca,
27:30a proud smile
27:31touching his lips.
27:33Now that she's home,
27:34we should get the wedding
27:34back on schedule.
27:36This kid has been
27:37in love with you
27:37since he was a teenager,
27:39Bella.
27:40After all these years,
27:41he finally got his wish.
27:42I saw the tips
27:43of Lucas' ears
27:44turn bright red,
27:45looking uncharacteristically
27:46flustered.
27:47Mr. Serrano,
27:48Mrs. Serrano,
27:49I should probably head out
27:50and let you have
27:51some family time.
27:52Bella,
27:53go walk Luca to his car.
27:55My mother nudged me.
27:58I walked him out
27:59to the porch
27:59and for a long moment,
28:01neither of us
28:01said a word.
28:02I'd always known Luca
28:03liked me.
28:05Our families were close
28:06and we grew up together.
28:08But Luca was
28:09a nightmare back then.
28:11He was a troublemaker
28:12and he expressed his feelings
28:13by being an absolute jerk.
28:15In high school,
28:16he intimidated every guy
28:17who tried to get close to me.
28:18On the night of our senior prom,
28:20he actually put out a warning
28:21that nobody was allowed
28:22to ask me to dance.
28:23I ended up sitting
28:24in a corner alone all night,
28:26the laughing stout of the school.
28:27I was so furious,
28:28I told him I'd never
28:29speak to him again.
28:30After that,
28:31I hated him.
28:32Then I met Marco,
28:32fell head over wills
28:33and stopped looking
28:34at anyone else.
28:35Over the years,
28:36I wiped Luca
28:36out of my life entirely.
28:37But I never imagined
28:38that while I was busy
28:39building a life with Marco,
28:40the man I hated most
28:41was actually waiting
28:42for me the whole time.
28:43I thought back to the text
28:44he sent me that morning.
28:45He had heard from somewhere
28:46that my wedding with Marco
28:47was falling apart.
28:48Almost instantly,
28:49he sent that message.
28:51Bella, if you need me,
28:52I'm ready to settle
28:53the score for you.
28:54I didn't take it seriously
28:55at first,
28:56because of everything
28:57that happened in the past.
28:59He was the last person
29:00on earth I wanted to call.
29:02But standing here
29:03on the porch,
29:04looking up at this
29:04tall, silent man,
29:06I felt a wave of confusion
29:07mixed with guilt.
29:09Were those jerky things
29:10he did when we were kids
29:11because he hated me
29:12or because he just
29:13didn't know how to speak
29:14the language of love?
29:15What does he want
29:15from me now?
29:17A new game to play?
29:19Or is this actually
29:20the devotion of a dawn?
29:24After what Marco did to me,
29:25I don't think I can ever
29:26truly believe
29:27in a man's heart again.
29:28But regardless of the future,
29:30right now,
29:31Castellino backing
29:32is the best thing
29:33we could have.
29:34Luca,
29:37I don't think this is fair to you.
29:39I spent eight years
29:40with Marco.
29:41I gave him everything.
29:43I lost three babies for him.
29:46Someone like me,
29:47I'm not good enough for you.
29:48You deserve someone better.
29:51Stop.
29:52Luca reached out,
29:53his thumb gently pressing
29:54against my lips
29:55to quiet me.
29:56Bella,
29:57that was your past.
29:58It isn't a stain
29:59on who you are.
30:00You gave your heart
30:01to someone
30:02who didn't deserve it.
30:03You were the victim.
30:05That isn't a crime.
30:07Why on earth
30:07would that mean
30:08you don't deserve
30:08to be happy?
30:09You owe that man nothing.
30:11You owe yourself everything.
30:12He looked at me,
30:13his gaze burning
30:14with a fierce,
30:15solemn sincerity.
30:16I've loved you
30:17for a long time, Bella,
30:18which means I accept
30:19every single part of you.
30:20Let the past be the past.
30:21His eyes were full
30:22of hope and honesty.
30:23Give yourself a chance
30:23and give me one too,
30:25okay?
30:26Before my mind caught up,
30:27I nodded.
30:28My wedding with Luca
30:29was set for next month.
30:32The invitations went out
30:33almost immediately.
30:35The night Marco
30:35heard the news,
30:36he came looking for me.
30:38It had only been a few days,
30:40but he looked like
30:41a ghost of himself.
30:42He was gaunt,
30:43his eyes were suckin' and dark,
30:44and his face was covered
30:45in a messy,
30:46unshaden stubble.
30:47His suit was wrinkled,
30:48and his hair,
30:49usually perfectly slicked back,
30:50was a disaster.
30:51Bella,
30:53don't do this.
30:54Don't marry him.
30:55He reached out
30:56and grabbed my hand.
30:57I fucked up.
30:58I know I did.
30:59But I'm done with Vanessa.
31:01She's gone.
31:02I swear on my life,
31:04I'll never see her again.
31:06Just please,
31:08don't marry Luca Castelloni.
31:10We were together
31:11for eight years.
31:12You were willing
31:13to turn your back
31:13on your own parents for me?
31:15Why are you being
31:15so cold now?
31:16How can you just walk away
31:18without giving me
31:18a single chance?
31:19Bella,
31:20this is cruel.
31:21I ripped my hand
31:22out of his grip.
31:24I was so tired
31:25of the drama.
31:26Marco,
31:27I gave you
31:27eight years
31:28of chances.
31:29I waited nearly
31:30a decade for you
31:31to decide
31:31I was worth a ring.
31:33I endured everything,
31:35but you crossed the line
31:36when you brought her
31:36into our bed
31:37before the wedding
31:37even started.
31:38Go away.
31:39It's over.
31:40In that moment,
31:41I was just grateful
31:42we hadn't made it
31:43to City Hall
31:44to sign those papers.
31:45I turned around
31:45and walked away
31:46without looking back.
31:47Marco stood there
31:48in the street,
31:49looking like a man
31:50who had lost
31:50the entire world.
31:52He had nowhere to go,
31:53no one to turn to.
31:54He ended up
31:55stumbling into
31:56his private club,
31:57ordering the strongest
31:58grappa they had,
31:59and knocking back
32:00glass after glass
32:01like he was trying
32:02to drown himself.
32:03His crew couldn't
32:04stand to watch it.
32:05They took turns
32:06trying to talk
32:06sense into him.
32:08Boss,
32:09stop it!
32:09You're gonna kill
32:10yourself at this rate!
32:11Bella is marrying
32:12someone else!
32:13Drinking yourself
32:14into a coma
32:14won't bring her back!
32:16She's gone!
32:17But no one
32:18could get through
32:19to him.
32:20Finally,
32:21Tony and the guys
32:21tracked down Vanessa
32:23and brought her
32:23to the club.
32:24Find Vanessa.
32:26Hoping she could
32:26calm him down,
32:27but it only made
32:28things a thousand
32:29times worse.
32:30Vanessa snatched
32:31the bottle out
32:32of his hand,
32:33her lips twisted
32:34in a pow.
32:34Marco,
32:35stop it already!
32:36Look at you!
32:37It's not worth it
32:38to ruin yourself
32:39over a woman like her.
32:40Honestly,
32:41she's not even
32:42that great.
32:43If she had the nerve
32:44to bring a stray man
32:45into your bed
32:46on your wedding night,
32:47it means she's been
32:48sleeping around
32:48for a long time.
32:50She's trash, Marco.
32:52You should be happy
32:53you're finally rid
32:54of her.
32:55Marco snapped.
32:56He lunged forward,
32:58grabbing Vanessa
32:58by the collar
32:59and shaking her,
33:00his face twisted
33:01in a mask
33:02of pure agony.
33:03You don't get to
33:04talk about Bella
33:05like that.
33:05Do you hear me?
33:07She is not trash.
33:08She gave me
33:09eight damn years
33:10of her life!
33:11I know who she is,
33:12better than anyone.
33:14Vanessa,
33:14how do you even
33:15have the balls
33:15to show your face?
33:16This is all your fault.
33:18You're the one
33:19who manipulated me
33:19into that tradition.
33:20You're the reason
33:22Bella left.
33:23You destroyed my life!
33:24Why won't you
33:25just leave me alone?
33:26Suddenly,
33:27his eyes caught
33:28something on her skin.
33:29His expression
33:30shifted from rage
33:31to icy,
33:32dawning horror.
33:33He reached out
33:34and ripped her collar open.
33:36What the hell
33:37is that on your neck?
33:38What are those red spots?
33:39Vanessa panicked.
33:40She tried to pull away,
33:42her voice stammering.
33:43Marco,
33:43I told you
33:44I have lupus.
33:45That's just a symptom.
33:46No,
33:47that's not lupus.
33:48A sickening realization
33:49began to crawl up
33:50Marco's spine.
33:52He didn't care
33:52about her protests
33:53and screaming.
33:54He grabbed her by the arm
33:56and dragged her
33:56toward the door,
33:57hell-bent on getting
33:58her to a hospital.
33:59Vanessa fought back
34:00like a cornered animal.
34:01Her long,
34:02acrylic nails
34:03clawed at his face,
34:04leaving deep,
34:05bloody gashes
34:05across his cheek.
34:06Marco didn't even flinch.
34:08He just turned around
34:08and backhanded her
34:09across the face
34:10with everything he had.
34:11The two lovers
34:12who had been tangled
34:12together in bed
34:13just days ago
34:14now looked like
34:15bitter,
34:16sworn enemies.
34:16The secret
34:17Vanessa had been
34:18fighting so hard
34:19to bury
34:20was finally
34:21coming to light.
34:22Every gift
34:23from the gods
34:23comes with
34:24a hidden price tag
34:25and some debts
34:26are more than
34:27one person
34:28can afford to pay.
34:29At the hospital,
34:30Marco didn't give
34:31her a choice.
34:32Under his terrifying
34:33threats,
34:33Vanessa was forced
34:34to undergo
34:35a full battery
34:35of tests
34:36when the results
34:37finally came back.
34:38The truth was worse
34:39than anything
34:39he could have imagined.
34:41She didn't have lupus.
34:42She was in the late
34:43stages of syphilis.
34:44Marco felt like
34:45he'd been struck
34:46by lightning.
34:47In that second,
34:48his whole world
34:49came crashing down.
34:50You
34:52bitch.
34:52He lunged at her,
34:53his hands clamping
34:54around Vanessa's throat,
34:55his eyes nearly
34:56popping out of his head
34:57with rage.
34:59You were sleeping
34:59around in Europe
35:00and caught a goddamn disease!
35:02You told me
35:03it was lupus!
35:04You tricked me
35:05into your bed
35:05just to rot me
35:06from the inside out!
35:08I'll kill you!
35:09I'll fucking kill you!
35:10Because of her,
35:11he had lost
35:12the woman he loved
35:13and now,
35:13his body
35:14was likely tainted,
35:16too.
35:16His entire life
35:17was in ruins
35:18and it was all
35:19because of her.
35:20What are you
35:21screaming about?
35:22You were the one
35:22who cheated!
35:23You were the one
35:24who couldn't stay
35:24out of my bed!
35:25You thought Bella
35:26was weak!
35:26You thought she was
35:27a doormat
35:28who would let you
35:28do whatever you wanted!
35:30Don't you dare
35:31pin this on me,
35:32you selfish coward!
35:33You wanted to call me
35:34your true love
35:35while keeping Bella
35:36around to wait on you!
35:37I saw right through you
35:38from day one!
35:39The words pushed
35:40Marco over the edge.
35:41He lost every ounce
35:42of reason,
35:43squeezing her throat
35:44harder and harder,
35:45determined to watch
35:46the life leave her eyes.
35:47It took three hospital
35:49security guards
35:49to pull him off her.
35:50Vanessa didn't wait around.
35:52She stumbled out
35:53of the hospital,
35:54bruised and gasping,
35:55and caught the very
35:56first flight out
35:57of the country.
35:58She vanished back
35:58to Europe before
35:59the sun even went down.
36:00Marco wandered out
36:01of the hospital
36:02like a hollow shell
36:03of a man.
36:03He drifted through
36:04the streets,
36:05his mind a chaotic blur.
36:06He saw flashes
36:07of Bella's smile
36:08from years ago,
36:09the warmth
36:09of their life together,
36:10then the memory
36:11of his heat
36:11with Vanessa,
36:12and finally,
36:13this is exactly
36:14what you deserve.
36:15His legs
36:15finally gave out.
36:17Marco!
36:18Marco!
36:18Exhausted,
36:19broken,
36:20and terrified
36:21of the poison
36:22in his blood,
36:23Marco collapsed
36:24on the sidewalk
36:25as the world
36:25When Marco
36:26opened his eyes again,
36:27he was back
36:28in the hospital.
36:30For a moment,
36:31he didn't remember
36:32how he got there.
36:34Boss,
36:35the doctor is here.
36:42Mr. Moretti,
36:44your test came back
36:45positive.
36:46We need to begin
36:47treatment immediately.
36:49There it was.
36:50The price of Vanessa's lie
36:52had finally reached
36:54his blood.
36:55The first face
36:56that flashed through
36:56his mind
36:57wasn't Vanessa's.
36:58It was mine.
37:00Bella?
37:01Give me my phone!
37:06I need to call her.
37:10Boss,
37:12today is her wedding.
37:18While Marco
37:19was drowning
37:19in the wreckage
37:20of his choices,
37:22I was standing
37:23in front of a mirror,
37:24wearing white
37:25for a second time.
37:26You look beautiful, baby.
37:29You look beautiful, baby.
37:29You look beautiful, baby.
37:30You look beautiful, baby.
37:30You look beautiful, baby.
37:41Are you ready, sweetheart?
37:44I am.
37:50Luca was waiting
37:51at the end of the aisle.
37:53For once,
37:54the man who had waited
37:55for me his whole life
37:56didn't look smuck at all.
37:58He looked nervous.
38:04My father walked me
38:05down the aisle.
38:10This time,
38:11I wasn't walking
38:11towards humiliation.
38:13I was walking
38:14away from it.
38:16I don't want
38:17the version of you
38:19the world thinks
38:20is easiest to love.
38:22I want all of you,
38:23Bella.
38:25the broken parts.
38:27The angry parts.
38:29The parts still learning
38:30how to breathe.
38:32I can't promise
38:33I'm healed.
38:35But I can promise
38:36I'm done living
38:37for the man
38:37who broke me.
38:40If you'll walk
38:41beside me, Luca,
38:42I'll try.
38:49Boss,
38:49it already started.
38:50You can't make it
38:51in time.
38:53I have to see her.
39:01He should have
39:02stayed in that
39:02hospital bed.
39:07But regret has a way
39:08of making dying men run.
39:11Please.
39:23You may kiss the bride.
39:27And just like that,
39:29I became
39:29Mrs. Castellino.
39:35Marco arrived
39:37just in time
39:37to see the ending.
39:39No.
39:42Not the ending
39:43he wanted.
39:44The ending
39:45he deserved.
39:45he deserved.
39:45He deserved.
39:46He was a nurse
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