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Divorced, I married the godfather. - Full EP
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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,
00:17I 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
00:27arrogance. 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 is
01:01a very desirable man. Do not get any ideas you shouldn't. I kept my eyes lowered. Honestly, this job was
01:07perfect for me. To put it simply, they just needed a high-end nanny. Eight hours ago, I'd signed the
01:12divorce papers and been kicked out of my ex's house. The last thing I wanted was another husband, but a
01:18roof? Three meals? A place to disappear? That was a miracle. I understand. I won't get any ideas. The butler
01:25led me down a dim, vaulted corridor. Then I heard something that sounded like a gunshot. I stumbled,
01:31slammed straight into a hot, hard chest. The smell hit me first. Blood. Gunpowder. Then the barrel of
01:37a pistol tipped my chin up. A man in a suit with his hair slicked back. Blood streaked across his
01:42jaw.
01:42A snake tattoo coiling out of his collar onto his throat. My chest rose and fell rapidly with fear.
01:48His gun slid down from my chin and stopped between my soaked breasts. He studied me for a long beat.
01:54Finally, walked off without a word. I'd seen that face before. Page 6. New York Times. The
02:00Castellano Don. Sebastian had once spent a month studying his photos, trying to get in with the
02:05old 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
02:22were locked in a standoff. The man with murder in his eyes was gone. In his place, at the table,
02:27sat a man in a white dress shirt holding a spoon. His face was tired. The boy pressed his lips
02:33shut
02:33and glared up at his father like a tiny soldier holding the line. Neither moved. Finally, the man
02:38exhaled and set the spoon down. Long fingers pinched the bridge of his nose. His voice dropped,
02:44low and rough. One bite. One small bite. Is that really too much? The butler stepped forward. Don,
02:51the applicant is here. The man turned. His shirt was unbuttoned low. I could see most of the snake
02:56tattoo now. The lines of his muscles pressed faintly through the white linen. The most feared man in
03:02New York inherited the family glory at 16. Built it bigger, darker, quieter than his father had. Money,
03:08power, blood on his hands. So this wasn't some dream. Or scam. A man like Luca Castellano had no
03:15reason to scam a broke divorcee off the street. His eyes moved over me, distant and tired. Name?
03:21I figured he'd come straight from his so-called business. Handling traitors, torturing some enemies,
03:26and now got defeated by a toddler. Feeding the kid was probably harder than running his empire.
03:32Nora Bennett, I said. A barely there nod. He held out the plate. Try.
03:35So this was my interview. If I didn't pass, I was sleeping on the F train. I smiled my warmest,
03:42gentlest smile and walked toward the boy. I didn't make it two steps. Whoosh. He bolted under the
03:47table. Only his eyes peeked out. Dark, round, furious. I don't want her. Send her away. She's a bad lady.
03:55They're all bad ladies. So before me, this kid had already been through who knows how many stepmoms.
04:00Fine. I needed to do my best. I scanned the room and clocked it instantly. Action figures everywhere.
04:06Batman. Spider-Man. A whole shelf of Avengers. I grabbed two figures off the coffee table and
04:12crouched down by the table leg. I sat Batman and Spider-Man right next to the kid. Then I picked
04:17up
04:17the spoon. Don't worry. I'm not feeding you. I'm feeding Batman. I mimed a spoonful into Batman's face.
04:23Open up, bats. Heroes who skip dinner? Skinny arms, skinny legs. Can't protect anyone like that.
04:30Oh, Batman wants vegetables? Good call. Spinach makes you strong. The boy watched, half-hidden,
04:36lips parting, smacking his mouth a little. I pretended not to see. His nose started turning pink,
04:41like he was about to cry. Right on cue, I gasped. Wait, is that a baby Batman over there? Bats,
04:48can you share with him? He has to eat too if he's gonna grow up strong. I tilted Batman.
04:53Bat says yes. I turned to the boy. Batman improved, kiddo. You get a little, but just a little.
05:00We don't want you outgrowing him. He'd be sad. The boy nodded furiously. I didn't even get the
05:05spoon to his mouth before he grabbed it with his lips. A big bite. Why won't you give me vegetables?
05:10You 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 three
05:22floors. I got the second floor with Leo. Luca had the entire third floor to himself. The butler
05:27walked me to my room and gave me one last warning. You do not go up to the third floor.
05:31Ever. His
05:32voice dropped. The last woman who snuck up there to climb into the Don's bed got thrown out of his
05:37window. Two story drive. I thought of the gun from an hour ago. I nodded so hard I almost gave
05:42myself
05:43whiplash. Won't happen. You have my word. Castellano men breed serious. Leo was only four and slept in his
05:49own bed without a fuss. And that made my job easier. I just changed into the silk pajamas from
05:54the closet. The knock made me jump. Don Luca's voice was low behind the door. Come down. Let's
06:00talk. Luca was on the couch in the great room. Long legs crossed. Whiskey in his hand. I sat across
06:05from him on the opposite couch. Hands in my lap. Knees together. Like a job interview. You're good with
06:10kids. You have one of your own? No. I helped raise my ex's nephew for two years. Back the... The
06:16crane said I
06:16didn't make enough money and ordered me to quit. Called it generosity. Then, after I did, they claimed
06:21I was lazy and had nothing to do. So they fired the nanny and dumped the kid on me. More
06:26free maid
06:27than wife. File says you're divorced. Yes. Reason? Some small town girl cannot stain a noble family name.
06:33I guess. Only a coward would say that. You saw the ad. I'm hiring a mother for Leo, not a
06:38date for me.
06:39My rival's family terrified him when he was little. He's always been insecure, hates leaving the house,
06:44and has never had a single friend. I work long hours. I need someone with patience. Someone
06:49who'll stay. There will be a prenum. Everything stays separate. Especially in bed. My heart
06:55shuddered as I looked deep into his eyes. Marriage in rich people's world was a contract before it was
07:00anything else. My marriage with Sebastian was for love. But because the gaps between our family,
07:06I'd signed one with him too. When the love ran out, I'd walked away with nothing. Not even my wedding
07:11ring. Let alone a powerful mafia family like the Castellanos. They would only be more careful.
07:17I understand. Honestly, if you just need someone in the house, we don't have to make it legal.
07:22I'm fine without the paperwork. Luca shook his head. He leaned forward,
07:27tapping his fingers 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.
07:35All right. We'll do it your way.
07:40Don't worry. You'll get a hundred thousand a month for expenses.
07:43This was the part I cared about. I've been burned before.
07:46Mr. Castellano, if we divorce someday, can I keep the money you've given me?
07:50Of course. It's yours.
07:52All 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.
08:02That's fine. Neither do I.
08:05So, three days after I signed divorce papers, I got married again. No ceremony, no guests.
08:12Same as my first wedding. The butler added an extra dish to dinner. I thought that was the
08:16celebration. But suddenly, Luca slid a signet ring across the table. A Castellano family ring.
08:26That's not necessary.
08:28Sebastian never even gave me his family ring.
08:31For Leo's sake.
08:32Then I got it. The child needed a family illusion. I fell into silence and finally took it.
08:38I'll keep it safe.
08:39That 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?
08:51Nora, 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. Next morning at breakfast, Luca's
09:12eyes widened when the butler told him Leo had slept in my bed.
09:15Nora, that was above and beyond. I'll add another $50,000 a month.
09:20Mr. Castellano, that's way too much.
09:23It 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.
10:08You 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.
10:45Hey 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 to hope.
11:12Master Leo, you're going to the hospital with Miss Bennett?
11:15Leo nodded.
11:16Thank God. He's finally willing to leave the house.
11:19Your depression's getting better. Just keep it slow. Relax.
11:23I took the script and the meds and left. Leo was waiting in the lobby with his small batman.
11:31Nora, are you sick?
11:34A little, kiddo. I used to skip meals a lot, so I got sick. Promise me you'll never let yourself
11:39get like that.
11:41Does it hurt? If it hurts, I can give you candy. Daddy told me candy makes you forget.
11:48My tears fell without warning. In the crane house, I'd cry and they'd call it dramatic.
11:54Small town girl. Can't handle the lifestyle.
11:59I had depression.
12:02Stop faking it to get attention!
12:04The nephew I'd raised for two years stood next to his mother on divorce day and called me ugly.
12:09And here was this four-year-old mafia heir handing me his last piece of candy.
12:14Nora, I'm going to eat every meal so I can grow up and protect you.
12:25You better grow fast, babe.
12:27When we walked out of the hospital, there was a black Maybach idling at the curb.
12:31Luca was leaning against it.
12:32Mr. Castellano, why are you here?
12:34He scooped his son into his arm. Seeing how calm and composed the boy was, his eyes suddenly reddened.
12:40The butler called, said Leo went out with you. I had to see it.
12:44Dad, as long as I'm with Nora, you can stop worrying.
12:48I know.
12:50That night, he tried to raise my pay again. This time, a black card.
12:54I refused so hard, he laughed.
12:59Noia, there must be something you want.
13:01Could you help me find a used car? 5,000 or below, so I can take Leo out without depending
13:07on the driver.
13:10Pick anything from the garage.
13:12The cheapest car in your garage is a quarter million. I wouldn't dare drive it.
13:17Fine.
13:19Next 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.
13:28But this time, my 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.
13:41He'd always been insecure, had barely seen the outside world.
13:44Now, I wanted to show it to him.
13:46First, the amusement park.
13:48He grabbed my hand and dragged me over to take pictures.
13:50Then, I took him to the farmer's market. He'd never been to a farmer's market in his life.
13:54Nora! I don't want to hold this.
13:57My hands are full, Leo. Just a few steps.
14:00Fine! One time only! And no more lobster! No!
14:04Nora?
14:05It was Sebastian, my ex-husband.
14:09He was in a crisp gray suit, hair perfect.
14:12Looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine cover.
14:14It had been five weeks since the divorce.
14:16My stomach nodded on contact.
14:18Sebastian and I had met in college.
14:20He came from one of those Wall Street elite families.
14:23The golden boy of high finance.
14:25He'd ignored every objection from his family to put a ring on me.
14:28At our wedding, he'd promised to protect me for life.
14:31Then, he took over Crane Capital.
14:33He started finding fault with everything.
14:35He wanted me to quit my job, take care of his parents,
14:38take care of his sister's kid.
14:40Cook, laundry, cleaning.
14:42I did all of it because I loved him.
14:45Because I'd never been loved by my own family and didn't know any better.
14:48Until one day, I caught him in a private club with a girl in his lap.
14:52My whole world shattered.
14:54I cried.
14:55I screamed.
14:56I begged him to swear it would stop.
14:59The whole Crane family said I was overreacting.
15:02What successful man doesn't have side action?
15:04Sebastian said I'd been spoiled rotten.
15:07He blocked my number.
15:09Stopped coming home.
15:10My depression cratered.
15:12I filed for divorce.
15:13He thought it was a bluff.
15:15His family told him,
15:16Don't let her win.
15:17He had his lawyer draft papers.
15:19I walked out with nothing.
15:20Signed them in seven seconds.
15:22Four years of dating.
15:23Three years of marriage.
15:25Done.
15:25Noah, Ivy League degree.
15:28And here you are playing nanny?
15:31What were you thinking?
15:32Not your business.
15:34Nora, try to understand.
15:36The day you married into the Crane family, you represent the Crane name.
15:42Sebastian, we're divorced.
15:44I have nothing to do with your family anymore.
15:48Even divorced, you're my ex-wife.
15:50People still bring me up when they talk about you.
15:52Stop embarrassing me.
15:53Use your head for once.
15:55Stop being emotional all the time.
15:58Nora, a few weeks out here.
16:00Bet you miss being Mrs. Crane, don't you?
16:01Admit you were wrong.
16:02I'll think about taking you back.
16:04The girls outside the marriage, those were nothing.
16:06I haven't replaced you.
16:07The position's still open.
16:08Just swallow your pride.
16:09Apologize to my mother and my sister.
16:11Don't bother holding it.
16:13Give the seat to someone else, Sebastian.
16:14I'm not interested.
16:15On the drive home, a new number called.
16:17Connor, the nephew I'd raised for two years.
16:20I'd block the rest of the Crane's.
16:22Not him.
16:23Kids didn't pick their parents.
16:25Hey, Con.
16:26Nora, you divorced loser.
16:28My mom wants to talk to you.
16:30My throat closed up.
16:32Then Cassandra Crane took the phone.
16:34Nora, Sebastian tells me you're working as a nanny.
16:36Have you ever thought about anyone but yourself?
16:39You're slapping Sebastian's face.
16:40You're slapping the Crane name.
16:42What does that look like to people?
16:44Nora, I always said it.
16:46You'll never rise above your roots.
16:48Trash dressed in silk.
16:49I hung up.
16:50Blocked her.
16:50Pulled over.
16:51I crashed onto the steering wheel and bawled.
16:54I cried until I couldn't breathe.
16:55I cried until I was so empty I felt nothing.
16:58Then I sat up, wiped my face, felt the exhaustion settle bone deep.
17:02Nora, here, tissue.
17:03I'd forgotten Leo was in the back seat.
17:05He was holding a tissue out from his car seat.
17:07Big, sad eyes glued to me.
17:09I'm sorry, sweetheart.
17:11Did I scare you?
17:12Nora, I'm not scared.
17:14You can cry as long as you want.
17:15I'll wait.
17:17Adults crying isn't shameful.
17:18I won't laugh.
17:20Thanks, my little gentleman.
17:22Auntie's done.
17:22No more crying from now on.
17:23Let's go home.
17:24I went to bed early that night.
17:26Didn't feel up to dinner.
17:27Then a knock.
17:28Nora, can I come in?
17:30Luca.
17:31I was fresh out of the shower.
17:33Hair wet, robe tied carefully.
17:35I made sure nothing was showing.
17:37Come in.
17:38He was in a tight white tank top, making the snake tattoo stand out even more.
17:42Dark hair falling loose over his forehead.
17:44Whiskey in his hand.
17:46Looser than I'd ever seen him.
17:47He sat in the chair by my bed.
17:49His gaze flicked to my wet collarbone.
17:51Then immediately to the wall, like he'd been caught.
17:54The clothes in your closet.
17:55You never wear any of them.
17:57They're too nice.
17:58I'm not used to it.
17:59I've learned one thing from the Crane marriage.
18:02Don't force yourself into a world that isn't yours.
18:04The fall is uglier when they shove you out.
18:06Are they not your style?
18:08I'll have the designer come fit you for new ones.
18:10No, no, Mr. Castellano.
18:12I'm in the house all day with Leo.
18:13There's nowhere to wear that kind of thing.
18:15Truly.
18:17I heard you saw your ex today.
18:19His name's Crane.
18:20The stupid Crane capital.
18:21I froze.
18:22Leo had snitched.
18:24Yes.
18:25That Crane.
18:26Old news.
18:27Nora.
18:28Since you came, Leo's been a different child.
18:31His eyes were dark and serious on mine.
18:33I shifted.
18:34Uncomfortable.
18:35You pay me very well.
18:37It's what I'm here for.
18:38Nora.
18:39Ask me for anything.
18:41I can probably make it happen.
18:43Mr. Castellano.
18:44I don't need anything.
18:45He was quiet a long moment.
18:47His fingers tightened on his knee, then released.
18:50He stood up.
18:51I'll say this again.
18:52I'm the Don of the Costetto family.
18:55If you want, I can make sure he never speaks again more by tomorrow.
18:59I took a step back, still not used to him being this close.
19:02Without warning, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
19:05Did I scare you?
19:07I said nothing.
19:08His hand slid down from my cheek.
19:10He gave a faint smile, then walked out.
19:13For the next two weeks, Luca started coming home early.
19:16Dinner with Leo and me.
19:18Sometimes board games after.
19:19Sometimes a movie.
19:21A man who ran half of New York's underworld didn't change his schedule for no reason.
19:25I was starting to worry.
19:27Was the family in trouble?
19:28Not that I cared about him.
19:29I just really cared about my $150,000 a month.
19:32Mr. Castellano, you don't have to keep coming home this early.
19:36Leo has me.
19:37If you've got business, take it.
19:39Luca picked up a red Lego brick.
19:40Voice perfectly neutral.
19:42The psychiatrist said you need family.
19:44Leo and I are your family now.
19:46We have responsibilities.
19:48Since when are we family, I wanted to say.
19:50I didn't.
19:51Honestly, Leo's enough.
19:53The doctor said my improvement is mostly thanks to him.
19:56He stroked his chin, avoiding eye contact.
19:59I grabbed Leo's hand and stood.
20:01Come on, buddy.
20:02Story time.
20:03Daddy still has work.
20:04Leo and I walked out.
20:06Nora.
20:07Luca's voice, stopping me at the doorway.
20:09Yes?
20:10His ears were faintly pink.
20:12He cleared his throat.
20:13Tomorrow night, there's an event.
20:16Plus suns required.
20:17Would you come with me?
20:20Me?
20:26You.
20:27I don't have time to find someone else.
20:29I'll pay you an appearance fee.
20:31A man with his face couldn't find a date in 24 hours?
20:34I didn't think too much.
20:35There was money on the table.
20:37Sure.
20:38I don't know the social rules in your world, though.
20:41I don't want to embarrass you.
20:43The Cranes were a moneyed family, too.
20:45But Sebastian had never taken me to anything because his mother said,
20:49She doesn't know how to act in public.
20:50Don't let her embarrass us.
20:52Stand next to me.
20:54That's all.
20:55Luca's brow eased.
20:56If you want, I can make the gossipers shut up for good.
20:59The butler chimed in, beaming.
21:01Miss Bennett, you don't need to know the rules.
21:05The don is the rules.
21:07Hard to argue with that.
21:08The next afternoon, a design team showed up at the mansion.
21:11Five people.
21:12Most of them flown in from Paris.
21:15Hair, makeup, dress, jewelry.
21:18They huddled and debated each detail for 20 minutes at a stretch.
21:21By the time Luca came home, I was starting to feel sick about how much was on me.
21:26He walked in, saw me.
21:28His eyes did something.
21:30A brief flash, almost stunned, before he caught himself.
21:34Daddy, look how pretty Nora is.
21:38Call her mom.
21:39Leo turned his head and harumphed.
21:41Wouldn't say it.
21:42I patted his hair.
21:44It's okay.
21:45I like Nora.
21:47Makes me feel young.
21:48The event was a charity gala at the plaza.
21:50Every major name in New York was there.
21:53Old money, bigger money, political faces.
21:56A few faces I recognized from the papers, and a few I knew not to recognize at all.
22:01They orbited Luca immediately.
22:03Conversations started landing on me.
22:05Mr. Castellino.
22:07Who's the beautiful lady?
22:08I jumped in to save him.
22:11I'm a friend of Mr. Castellino's.
22:14My wife, Nora.
22:17The room shifted.
22:18A chorus of polite gasps.
22:20Compliments raining down.
22:22My face went hot to my collarbone.
22:25Luca squeezed my hand.
22:26Leaned in.
22:27Nora.
22:28Is being my wife really that embarrassing?
22:31You couldn't say it?
22:32Bourbon and cedar on his breath.
22:34No.
22:35No.
22:36I just...
22:37I didn't want to embarrass you.
22:39His eyes darkened.
22:40Nora.
22:41He looked at me like he was lighting something on fire.
22:43Only a weak man is embarrassed by his wife.
22:45I had to look away.
22:46I'll grab a drink.
22:47I bolted.
22:48I'd been hiding by the champagne tower for about 90 seconds when...
22:53Nora?
22:56There was no date.
22:58Just him.
22:59Had it Luca said plus ones required?
23:01Sebastian's face was pure stunned.
23:04It is you.
23:06I almost didn't recognize you.
23:13I've never seen you look like this.
23:16I stepped back.
23:17Stay away from me.
23:18Nora.
23:19About my sister's call.
23:21That wasn't me.
23:22I'd never authorize that.
23:23Truth is, I only agreed to the divorce to teach you a lesson.
23:26Bratty wife.
23:27Needed reminding.
23:28I never actually planned to let you go.
23:30Apologize to my mom and my sister.
23:34We'll remarry.
23:36I'll forget the rest.
23:40Crane, capital is bleeding right now.
23:43I'm slammed.
23:44Stop making things hard for me.
23:46He reached for my hand.
23:47The Sebastian special.
23:49One slap, one kiss.
23:51He'd run me on that loop for three years.
23:53I'm not the Nora he married anymore.
23:56I yanked back.
23:57Look, Sebastian.
23:58Divorced means divorced.
24:00I'd rather sleep under the Brooklyn Pleerage than wear your last name again.
24:03Find someone else for that throne.
24:05Still stubborn.
24:05You haven't suffered enough.
24:08Crawl find me when you've actually been broken.
24:12That's when Luca started walking toward us.
24:14Sebastian's whole posture changed.
24:18Nora, we'll talk later.
24:20There's a heavyweight I need to corner.
24:21Don't get in the way.
24:23Plastered on his best smile
24:25and intercepted Luca with a business card already out.
24:28My Don, I'm Sebastian Crane, Crane Capital.
24:32I'd like to talk about the mandate you pulled.
24:36Five years.
24:37Crane, a capital ran the books on every fund Castellino Holdings put on the street.
24:41Then you cut us out overnight.
24:44If we fell short, tell me where.
24:47Whatever you need, I'll make it right.
24:49Sebastian, half bowed.
24:51Luca's eyes went past him, straight to me.
24:54Nora, what do you think?
24:56Should I give him a second chance?
24:59Sebastian's smile froze.
25:01Nora?
25:02What does she have to do with...
25:03Mr. Castelloni, you should know.
25:07Nora is my ex-wife.
25:08I don't know how she got in here tonight.
25:09Probably trying to ambush me into wrecking elitiation.
25:12She's just a housewife.
25:13Pay her no mind.
25:14Luca didn't even glance at him.
25:17Nora, your call.
25:19I'll follow your lead.
25:23I kept my voice flat.
25:25Mr. Crane just asked me not to interfere in his business conversation.
25:28I'd hate to interfere.
25:30Sebastian flared.
25:32A man's business is none of your concern.
25:34Of 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.
25:42Mr. Crane, we'll have to pass.
25:44His arm slid around my shoulders.
25:46He turned us toward the bar.
25:48Sebastian was still standing there, brain catching up.
25:51Then a man in a tuxedo brushed past him.
25:54Crane, you insulted Don's wife.
25:57You stepped on a live mine.
25:59That's the only woman who's ever been on his arm in 20 years.
26:03Castellano's wife?
26:05Impossible.
26:06The woman's a nanny in the Castellano house.
26:08Sebastian had seen Nora at the farmer's market,
26:11driving the cheap car, carrying a lobster for the brat.
26:14He knew what he saw.
26:15A fancy dress didn't make a duchess.
26:18The man shook his head and walked off.
26:20Some idiots won't listen.
26:22Let them die.
26:24That night, Luca bid on a Picasso study
26:27and three pieces of war era jewelry.
26:30180 million in collectibles.
26:32Donated to the children's hospital under my name.
26:35After that, the gala turned into a receiving line.
26:38Mrs. Castellano,
26:39there's a small tea at my place next week.
26:42Would you grace us?
26:43Mrs. Castellano,
26:45my husband is bidding on a Castellano project.
26:47Just a quiet word to the Don.
26:49I'd never been on this side of a room.
26:51I drank three glasses to keep my hands steady.
26:53Luca intercepted on the fourth.
26:55Apologies, everyone.
26:56My wife isn't a drinker.
26:58I'll take hers.
26:59He drank.
27:01Then he drank for me three more times.
27:03By the time we slid into his Rolls Royce,
27:05we were both lit.
27:07I glanced out the window.
27:08Sebastian was on the curb,
27:10watching us.
27:11Mouth curled in that ugly little smirk,
27:13like I was the punchline.
27:15I closed the curtain.
27:16Turned to Luca.
27:17Mr. Castellano,
27:18thank you.
27:19For tonight.
27:20For
27:22what you did with Sebastian.
27:24His voice came out low,
27:26soft around the edges.
27:28Nora,
27:29we're husband and wife.
27:32Stop thanking me.
27:33We're a paper husband and wife.
27:36You didn't have to.
27:38His arm lifted.
27:39Long fingers tilted my chin up.
27:41His thumb brushed slow against my jaw.
27:43Nora,
27:44what if I don't want a paper marriage anymore?
27:47He was too close.
27:49His face was carved out of something dangerous.
27:52Eyes blown black.
27:53Heat from his breath landed on my throat.
27:55He smelled like bourbon and that cedar cologne,
27:58and something underneath that was just him.
28:01The most controlled man in New York
28:03was looking at my mouth like he wanted it.
28:07Mr. Castellano,
28:09you've had too much.
28:14You're right, I'm sorry.
28:15I had too much.
28:17The rest of the ride was silence.
28:18A heavy, humming silence
28:20with my pulse loud in my ears.
28:27Leo saved me.
28:28He sprinted at the front door with his picture book.
28:32I scooped him up and ran upstairs
28:34before I had to look Luca in the face again.
28:38I tucked Leo in,
28:40then opened my laptop and started scrolling job boards.
28:43Sebastian was right about one thing.
28:45My Ivy League degree shouldn't be wasted
28:47by eating in a mansion playing house.
28:49I'd done that marriage already.
28:51Stayed home.
28:52Made myself small.
28:53The minute he didn't need me,
28:55he tossed me into the street with nothing.
28:57I'd be damned if I let that happen twice.
29:00While Leo needed me,
29:01I had a place here.
29:02The day he didn't,
29:04what was I?
29:05Though I'm not ready to go back to work yet,
29:07physically or mentally.
29:08But knowing the market,
29:10updating a resume,
29:11that couldn't hurt.
29:12Then my phone lit up.
29:14A text.
29:15From Luca.
29:18The butler did the coffee.
29:20Always.
29:21And the first rule of this house
29:23was don't go to the third floor.
29:24I ground a fresh espresso anyway.
29:27Then 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
29:34after being summoned upstairs?
29:35Was this revenge for the car?
29:37I called him.
29:40Mr. Castellana.
29:41Coffee's here.
29:42Come down for it.
29:44Bring it up.
29:45I hit the record button on my phone.
29:47Caught it.
29:48If he tried anything sketchy,
29:50I had proof.
29:52I climbed the stairs.
29:54Knocked.
29:55Come in.
29:56I pushed the door open
29:58and forgot how to breathe.
30:02He'd just gotten out of the shower.
30:04Black silk robe,
30:05loosely tied at the waist.
30:07A drop slid from his jaw,
30:09down his throat,
30:10into the open robe.
30:11Bathhouse art.
30:12Renaissance painting.
30:13Holy hell.
30:15He took the coffee.
30:17His fingertips dragged across mine,
30:19on purpose.
30:21That scared of me?
30:22Nora, am I a monster?
30:26Nora.
30:30From now on,
30:31you can come into my room whenever you want.
30:34My face still burned.
30:36The rules of this house,
30:37and the rules of my heart,
30:38were both breaking.
30:39I woke up the next morning with a sore throat.
30:42Sneezing.
30:43Of course.
30:44Wet hair,
30:45late night,
30:46fancy dress,
30:47too much champagne.
30:48I shuffled downstairs in sweats,
30:50expecting 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.
31:06Calm.
31:07Practice.
31:08Like 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.
31:17Walked to the kitchen.
31:19A six-foot-something Mafia Don,
31:21stirring a packet of cold medicine into a mug.
31:24Usually,
31:25a Don would poison the drink instead.
31:27I caught myself wondering
31:28what kind of woman Leo's mother had been
31:30to deserve a man like this.
31:41I drank the Theraflu and slunk back to bed.
31:44I didn't want to be in his way,
31:45so I just dozed off when an unknown number rang.
31:52Nora,
31:53it's me.
31:54Sebastian.
31:55I started to hang up.
31:56Don't.
31:57I'm parked outside the Castellani Gate.
31:59Come out,
32:00or I'll be at the front door.
32:01Up to you.
32:02I did not want him at the door.
32:03I did not want my past laid out
32:05on Luca's marble entryway like roadkill.
32:08Sebastian intercepted me on the sidewalk.
32:10Nora,
32:11how long is this stunt going on for?
32:14Mrs. Crane working as a nanny?
32:16You don't feel humiliated,
32:18but 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.
32:27After you left,
32:28I missed you a little.
32:30Here's the deal.
32:32Apologize to my mom and my sister.
32:33We remarry.
32:34You can stop scrubbing floors for strangers.
32:39Sebastian.
32:40I didn't do anything wrong.
32:42What 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
32:51when a small round cannonball blew past me.
32:54Leo.
32:54When he saw a strange man hassling me,
32:56he did not hesitate.
32:57My mom didn't do anything wrong.
32:59My mom didn't do anything wrong.
33:00My mom is the best mom in the whole world.
33:03He 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.
33:20My best mom.
33:21He pulled back, anxious.
33:23I nodded.
33:24My eyes were wet again.
33:26Nora.
33:27You'll be my mom, right?
33:29I'll be so good.
33:31I promise.
33:33Leo.
33:34I am your mom's sweetheart.
33:36He squeezed me tighter
33:37and refused to let go.
33:39Sebastian's face twisted
33:40into a slow, ugly smile.
33:43Oh, I see it now.
33:46Nora.
33:47You're putting a child up to it.
33:49You're playing the long game on Castelloni.
33:52He grabbed my arm.
33:54Listen.
33:55Castorano isn't a man you scam.
33:58He's known for ice in his veins.
34:00He finds out you're using his son
34:02to angle for him.
34:03He'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.
34:10He pulled me into him.
34:12Mr. Crane.
34:13The last time we spoke,
34:15you insulted my wife.
34:16That's why I pulled the mandate.
34:18I was planning to tell the other firms
34:20on the street that this was personal.
34:21They could keep doing business
34:23with Crane of Papadal.
34:24After today, I don't think I need to.
34:27Castellano.
34:29What, you wife?
34:30Who's your wife?
34:31Mr. Crane.
34:33Are you really still confused?
34:35Or are you only capable of believing
34:37what 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,
34:50have my men throw him out.
34:51He took Leo with one arm,
34:53wrapped the other around me,
34:54walked us inside.
34:56The second the door closed,
34:58I peeled out of Luca's arm.
34:59Awkward as hell.
35:01I took Leo upstairs to my room.
35:04Leo,
35:05where were you all morning?
35:08I 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.
35:21He 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.
35:34Leo was four sentences into his report
35:36when Luca appeared in the doorway.
35:38Leo,
35:39downstairs,
35:40dinner,
35:41stop bothering your mother.
35:42My whole face hot.
35:44Mom,
35:45I'll be back to keep you company in a bit.
35:48He scampered out.
35:50Luca didn't leave.
35:51He walked in.
35:53Feeling better?
35:54I looked sideways.
35:56Mr. Castellini,
35:57thank 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?
36:09What you did out there.
36:11Nora,
36:12I 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,
36:27this fast.
36:28My face went up in flames.
36:30I'll give you time.
36:32Take whatever you need.
36:33But right now,
36:35I want to collect just a little husband privilege.
36:37Before I could form a coherent thought,
36:39he leaned in.
36:40A long, warm hand cradled my cheek.
36:43Can I?
36:43I didn't say a word.
36:46I'll take this as consent.
36:48Then his lips crashed against mine,
36:50hard and ruthless.
36:51His tongue swept into my mouth,
36:53stealing 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,
37:03my mind went blank
37:04by the time he finally pulled away.
37:06He rubbed his thumb over my swollen lips.
37:09My little princess,
37:11that's enough for today.
37:16Next time,
37:17I won't let you off so easily.
37:20Leo got hauled to preschool again the next morning,
37:23under protest.
37:24My cold was almost gone.
37:26Luca asked if I wanted to see a movie.
37:28After everything that had happened,
37:29I thought about it.
37:30We were married on paper.
37:32If something real was going to grow there,
37:34that 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,
37:43he showed me his collection room.
37:45One entire wall was covered in cold weapons.
37:48Daggers,
37:49knives,
37:49blades of every kind.
37:51Honestly,
37:52it was breathtaking.
37:52I was still standing there staring at the wall
37:55when he stepped up behind me
37:57and fastened a 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.
38:16Luca leaned closer,
38:18his voice brushing against my ear.
38:21Nora.
38:23Yes?
38:24I closed my eyes,
38:25my fingers tightening around the snake pendant,
38:28like a girl being offered up as a sacrifice.
38:31His body covered mine as his mouth came down on mine.
38:35Soft at first.
38:36Careful.
38:36One hand slid gently around my throat.
38:39Then the kiss deepened.
38:41Rougher.
38:42Heavier.
38:43The kind that stole every thought from my head.
38:45He pulled off the white tank top,
38:47and for the first time,
38:48I saw the snake tattoo stretched across his chest.
38:51One 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.
39:00Then 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,
39:13he kept me tucked against my chest.
39:15He slid a glossy stack of brochures into my hand.
39:18Nora.
39:19Pick a wedding planner.
39:21I owe you a real wedding.
39:25You don't have to.
39:27The Dawn's wife should carry that honor forever.
39:29I want every person in this city to know
39:31Nora Bennett is my wife,
39:33and I'm her husband.
39:36I only regret I didn't put it all at your feet
39:38the night you walked through that door.
39:40I laughed into his shoulder.
39:43The night I walked through that door,
39:46we didn't even know each other.
39:47How were we supposed to?
39:49Nora.
39:51The night I saw you in that doorway,
39:53I already wanted you.
39:54Our wedding was bigger than anything
39:57New York had hosted in a decade.
39:59Old families.
40:00New money.
40:01Senators.
40:02A cardinal.
40:03The mayor.
40:03We were on the front page for three days running.
40:06I scolded Luca.
40:08The butler beamed.
40:09Mrs. Castellino,
40:10the 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,
40:19a 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,
40:29eyes on me.
40:30After,
40:31he was winding a strand of my hair around his finger.
40:34He cleared his throat.
40:35A little awkward.
40:36Nora.
40:38I want to tell you a secret.
40:39I made a small sleepy sound.
40:42Leo isn't my son.
40:43He's my sisters.
40:44He spoke quietly,
40:46in pieces.
40:47His parents had died when he was 13.
40:49He and his elder sister went through a dark period
40:52in this empire.
40:53Until one day,
40:54she married.
40:55Had Leo.
40:56But happiness suddenly ended,
40:57when she and her husband were killed in a shooting
41:00three years ago.
41:01Luca wiped out that whole family then.
41:04He put Leo on his own birth certificate.
41:07Quietly.
41:07So nobody could ever take him.
41:09I thought it would be Leo and me forever.
41:11Then you walked in.
41:13And nothing was the same.
41:15He kissed me again.
41:17A few months later,
41:18I walked out of the hospital alongside Leo.
41:20Mom.
41:21Dad 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!
41:31I finally get a sister!
41:32What if it's a brother?
41:36If it's a brother,
41:38we throw him in the trash.
41:39If it's a sister,
41:41she plays with me.
41:42Out of the mouths of babes.
41:43I 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.
42:01I pulled him to my side and squeezed his shoulder.
42:03Sebastian.
42:04What happened to you?
42:09Nora.
42:10Help 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.
42:18Weeks back.
42:19First,
42:20the 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,
42:29Sebastian's company collapsed.
42:30His sister Cassandra,
42:32the person he trusted most,
42:34had been stealing client money for years.
42:36The moment everything fell apart,
42:38she 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,
42:47sobbing,
42:47begging.
42:48I didn't feel anything for him.
42:50Sebastian,
42:51people are equal.
42:53Your fault,
42:54your mess,
42:55you pay for it.
42:56No one can help you.
42:58Behind me,
42:58the lobby doors slid open.
43:00Luca had just finished with my OB.
43:02He walked toward us.
43:03Nora,
43:04let's go home.
43:05We walked past Sebastian Crane like he wasn't there.
43:07Because he wasn't.
43:09Not in our life.
43:10Not anymore.
43:10more.
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