- 13 hours ago
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00With twelve other heiresses, waiting at the gala in Palermo, I stood in a row with twelve other heiresses, waiting
00:06to be chosen.
00:07One flower, one night, one chance.
00:09As Don Earl's Bastarda, I had no room to fail.
00:12Lorenzo Rossi, heir of the Rossi family, was my childhood friend.
00:16He was the only man who'd agreed to protect me, and he had promised me the white lily.
00:21We'd made the deal just yesterday, three years of cover.
00:23Then he could love whoever he wanted.
00:25Yesterday, he'd said yes.
00:26Tonight, at the last second, he smiled and handed the flower to the girl beside me, Mia, the scholarship student
00:32he'd been sponsoring.
00:34Her hands were shaking as she took it.
00:35Let Mia have the spotlight today, Elena.
00:39The poor thing has never known happiness.
00:42Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will dare arrange your marriage.
00:46I looked at him. He was already turning away, placing Mia's hand on his arm.
00:50Mia is elegant and noble.
00:54She is worthy of this honor.
00:56Noble.
00:57The word landed like a slap.
00:59Whispers rippled through the crowd.
01:01I stood empty-handed.
01:02The Don's bastard daughter publicly passed over for a stray.
01:05When the crowd dispersed, Lorenzo appeared at my side, wine glass in hand.
01:11These idiots.
01:12I told them to save you at least one flower.
01:17Do you know what tonight means?
01:19The white lily wasn't decoration.
01:21It was a marriage proposal between families.
01:23Without it, I had nothing.
01:25No protection.
01:26No choice.
01:27No way out of the arranged marriage Donna Earl had already planned for me in New York.
01:31Lorenzo was my only option.
01:32No other man here would choose the bastard, though.
01:34And he'd just chosen someone else.
01:3718 years.
01:40He didn't answer.
01:42Behind him, Mia was smiling.
01:44The white lily in her hands, still perfect.
01:47The white lily flicked across Lorenzo's face.
01:49He sent Mia away.
01:51You're used to these events, Elena.
01:53But Mia's poor.
01:55This is her only shot to shine in her whole life.
02:00Just, just do me a favor.
02:05You can have your way any other day.
02:07Why today of all days?
02:08I stayed silent.
02:14Today's her graduation.
02:16After tonight, I can't sponsor her anymore.
02:21I promised her one unforgettable memory.
02:24Unforgettable for me, too.
02:26But it was too late.
02:27Lorenzo, do you understand what the gala...
02:30Mia returned before I could finish.
02:33Elena, did I ruin everything?
02:38Please don't blame Lorenzo.
02:40I begged him to...
02:42Enough, Elena.
02:43It's just a flower.
02:45I'll buy you another one.
02:46He reached into a nearby vase, pulled out a rose, and shoved it into my hand.
02:53Roses suit you better anyway.
02:55A lily isn't worth making a scene over.
02:58This isn't like you.
02:59The rose was dripping wet.
03:00Its thorns had been cut.
03:02Its stem snapped short, just like me.
03:04But the white lily meant honor.
03:06The wife of a don.
03:07A queen.
03:08The red rose meant mistress.
03:10A woman you kept in the shadows.
03:11An illegitimate bootlicker, thinking she could marry the Rossi heir?
03:16Didn't you hear him say noble?
03:18Even a poor student ranks higher.
03:21Lorenzo silenced the woman with one look.
03:23But the words had already sunk in.
03:27Elena, I'm sorry.
03:29You've always had everything.
03:31I just wanted one night to feel special.
03:34Everything?
03:35I'm a bastard, Mia.
03:37Do you have any idea how the Marotti family treats me?
03:40The cake slipped from her hands and landed on her shoe.
03:43Her eyes filled with tears.
03:45Look, it's already done.
03:47Let her enjoy tonight.
03:50Come on.
03:51Let's get you cleaned up.
03:53You can head home if you want.
03:56Home?
03:57I didn't have one.
03:58As soon as Lorenzo left my side, someone closed in.
04:01Antonio Ricci, a reckless libertine from a rival crew, sidled up to me.
04:07You smell good, Elena Moretti.
04:09Without Lorenzo, I didn't even get basic respect.
04:12Lorenzo told me to give you a flower.
04:15I didn't.
04:16I told you before, stop chasing him and try me instead.
04:19But you never listened.
04:22How's it feel now?
04:23Humiliating, isn't it?
04:24Lorenzo had given him the task of delivering my flower?
04:27Knowing Antonio had been harassing me for months?
04:30Another betrayal.
04:31I only asked for three years.
04:33Three years to gain enough power to escape the Moretti family's grip.
04:36But Donna wanted me gone.
04:38She wouldn't even give me time to breathe.
04:40If it wasn't for that pretty face, she'd be nothing.
04:46Ritzy, did I not warn you?
04:48Don't touch my people.
04:51That's none of your business.
04:53Your people?
04:54You just picked the charity girl.
04:56What do you need Elena for?
04:58She's mine.
04:59That's all you need to know.
05:00Antonio spat and walked away.
05:02Lorenzo spun me around to face him.
05:05He touched you and you didn't fight back?
05:08Wasn't this your idea?
05:10Lorenzo, could I get some champagne?
05:13One's cold and stubborn.
05:15The other's bright and warm.
05:17Lorenzo's choice was easy.
05:18Tonight, you're the star.
05:20Whatever you want.
05:21We'll talk tomorrow.
05:22I'll come by your place.
05:24Tomorrow?
05:25I smiled coldly.
05:27Tomorrow, you'll have to come to New York to find me.
05:30Lorenzo left to greet the other Capos.
05:32And Mia walked back to me, holding a glass of wine.
05:35The timid scholarship girl was gone.
05:38In her place stood someone who'd tasted power.
05:41You have everything, Elena.
05:44Why do you need to take this one moment of glory from me?
05:50I should never have helped Lorenzo choose her for the scholarship.
05:54You grew up in luxury.
05:57I only wanted Lorenzo's protection for one night.
06:03Luxury?
06:05You think I'm better off than you?
06:07My mother died early.
06:08Don Earl brought me back to the estate when I was little.
06:11Donna looked at me like she wanted me dead.
06:12My father had mistresses everywhere and didn't care about one more bastard daughter.
06:17I learned to read faces young.
06:19Without this face, I wouldn't have survived.
06:21I was trapped between two sides.
06:23I turned to Uncle Luca and begged him to train me, to back me up.
06:27Uncle Luca never smiled.
06:32Your father has 23 children.
06:36Why should I invest in a bastard who won't last?
06:38Because I have nothing to lose.
06:40I'll do what they won't.
06:42But the time wasn't right.
06:43Uncle Luca wouldn't help me either.
06:45They say Dante Vitale is ruthless.
06:48Anyone who crosses him gets crushed without mercy.
06:50The Morettis wanted his protection, but wouldn't sacrifice a legitimate daughter.
06:54So they chose me.
06:56Uncle Luca must know how the gala ended.
07:02Elena, do you think Lorenzo even knows what the gala means?
07:06I wasn't the type to dwell on emotions.
07:08I needed to find a way to stay.
07:12Do you know what tonight actually means?
07:13Sure, it's a matchmaking event, but it's just formality.
07:16Don't worry.
07:16I'll talk to the Morettis.
07:17No one's forcing you into marriage.
07:18Then can you get the lily back from Mia?
07:20I'll return it tomorrow.
07:20That's not good.
07:22It's already hers.
07:23That orchid had a rare golden edge.
07:25It couldn't be copied at all.
07:27Lorenzo, you know I won't clink on you.
07:28Why did you humiliate me tonight?
07:30Elena, no one else will take you.
07:32You're a Moretti bastard.
07:34Everyone Palermo knows you're mine.
07:36Elena, please don't fight with Lorenzo.
07:40Enough, Elena.
07:41Tomorrow, Mia goes back to her life.
07:44I left the gala and got into Uncle Luca's car.
07:47Accept your loss.
07:48Tomorrow you leave for New York.
07:52I'll come back.
07:54Back at the estate, Donna glanced at Uncle Luca, then at me.
07:58We've raised you for 18 years.
08:00Time to repay that.
08:01Tomorrow you leave.
08:03Nothing in this house was mine.
08:05Not even the plane ticket.
08:06Uncle Luca said nothing and went to his room.
08:08I went to my small bedroom to pack.
08:10My half-sister Bianca leaned in the doorway, checking her nails.
08:15Mom told me to keep an eye on you.
08:18Don't take anything valuable.
08:20Not even tonight's gown.
08:23Oh, and Mom said Dante Vitale already in love with someone else.
08:27Good luck.
08:29I took off the gown in front of her and removed all the jewelry.
08:32Then I walked to the bathroom in my slip.
08:34Benia had posted a photo in Instagram.
08:37She was glowing.
08:38Lorenzo's arm around her.
08:39He was still wearing the cufflinks I'd given him.
08:41I left everything Lorenzo had ever given me behind.
08:45Before dawn, I was up.
08:46No goodbyes.
08:47I grabbed my backpack and headed to the airport.
08:50Security.
08:50Boarding.
08:51Everything went smoothly.
08:52As the plane taxied, I shut off my phone completely, cutting all ties to Palermo.
08:57Then the announcement came.
08:59Apologies, passengers.
09:01The Rossi family has purchased all available flights out of Plasso today.
09:04We are returning back.
09:06I stared out the window as the runway slowed back down.
09:12The plane came to a stop.
09:21My phone reconnected and messages flooded in.
09:25The announcement came again.
09:26Apologies for the inconvenience.
09:28To compensate, the Rossi family will refund your ticket at 10 times the price.
09:33Who do you think the Rossi family is looking for?
09:36Wow.
09:36This is so dramatic.
09:37Like a movie.
09:40I scrolled through my phone.
09:42Exhausted.
09:43Lorenzo had gone to the Moretti estate early this morning looking for me.
09:47He saw the gown.
09:49The jewelry.
09:50Everything I'd left behind.
09:52But my backpack was gone.
09:53He panicked.
09:55He demanded answers from the Morettis.
09:57Where did Elena go?
09:58Lorenzo lost it.
10:01He almost tore the estate apart.
10:03Then he started calling me.
10:05But by then, I was already on the plane.
10:07When Lorenzo realized I hadn't taken a single thing he'd ever given me, he snapped.
10:11I grabbed my backpack and got off the plane.
10:15It was early.
10:16I was starving.
10:18I found a small cafe and ordered pasta.
10:24Uncle Luca's message came through.
10:26Do you want to come back?
10:28Lorenzo still wants you.
10:31The Moretti family was built on scheme.
10:34Lorenzo might spoil me, but he'd never lose face for me.
10:37Going back meant more humiliation.
10:46Moving forward.
10:48Maybe there was a chance.
10:50I ate slowly, watching black-suited men flood the terminal.
10:55They grabbed every woman who looked like me, asking questions.
10:57Then Lorenzo rushed in, drenched in sweat.
11:02His phone pressed to his ear.
11:04His phone pressed to his ear.
11:04He passed right by my table.
11:05He looked desperate, frantic, calling my number over and over.
11:12My phone kept buzzing in my pocket.
11:14When no one answered, he almost smashed the phone in frustration.
11:19His men returned empty-handed.
11:21I'd never seen Lorenzo like this.
11:24Completely unraveled.
11:26Where is she?
11:27I don't care what it takes.
11:29No plane flies to New York today.
11:31I checked my phone.
11:34There was a flight to Milan in 20 minutes.
11:38I scrolled through the news while I waited.
11:41Palermo's tabloids were having a field day.
11:43The headlines screamed,
11:44Rossi airs New Flame, but who's he hunting at the airport?
11:47Two women at the table behind me were gossiping loudly.
11:51God, that's so romantic.
11:54If someone did that for me, I'd say yes immediately.
11:57You don't get it.
11:59Last night at a gala, Lorenzo chose some scholarship girl.
12:03I bet.
12:05Bet he got scammed.
12:06Wait, he didn't pick a rich girl?
12:09He picked a charity chase?
12:11Then why is he freaking out today?
12:13I sipped my coffee, trying not to react.
12:16I'm guessing Lorenzo didn't realize giving the white loaves was a marriage proposal.
12:20The first girl said smugly,
12:22How do you know all this?
12:24Because I was at the gala last night.
12:27I froze.
12:28I glanced back.
12:29Didn't recognize her.
12:31Lucky.
12:33So what does the rich girl look like?
12:37She's beautiful.
12:40Stunning, actually.
12:43Then why would Lorenzo give the lily to an outsider?
12:46The girl's voice turned sharp.
12:48Who cares?
12:49The other girl's just a bastard anyway.
12:52Not like us real heiresses.
12:53I coughed, and both women turned.
12:56The moment they saw my face, one of them gasped and pointed, unable to speak.
13:04What?
13:06Do you know her?
13:07The other girl stared at me, then whispered.
13:11Wait.
13:13Are you?
13:14I pressed a finger to my lips.
13:17Both women slapped their hands over their mouths.
13:19I stood up and left.
13:20As I walked away, I heard one of them shriek.
13:24You didn't tell me she looked like that!
13:26You have zero chance now!
13:27I am on my way to the boarding gate, and another refund notification hit my phone.
13:32The Rossi family had bought out every route out of Palermo, even flights to other cities.
13:37I stood there, clutching my phone, stuck.
13:40Then it rang.
13:40A New York number.
13:43Hello?
13:44Dante Vitale.
13:45The name of my arranged husband.
13:46His voice was cold, but strangely pleasant.
13:49The kind that made you want to keep listening.
13:50I'm sorry, I...
13:51My men are already at the airport.
13:53They'll bring you to me.
13:54Before I could explain that all the flights were grounded, I saw it.
13:58A private jet on the tarmac.
13:59Several men in black suits stepped off the plane, standing at attention.
14:04I hung up and walked toward the jet.
14:10It was drizzling.
14:11An umbrella appeared over my head.
14:13The moment I stepped outside, the man holding it kept his eyes down, respectful.
14:18Mrs. Vitale, we're here to bring you home.
14:20That's when Lorenzo spotted me.
14:22He sprinted toward me, grabbing my wrist.
14:25Elena, come with me.
14:27Vitale's men immediately surrounded me.
14:29Lorenzo's men closed in.
14:31The two groups faced off.
14:32On-lookers pulled out their phones, filming.
14:35The man leading Dante's crew was older, impeccably dressed,
14:38with the calm precision of a man who'd seen everything.
14:41He smiled politely, but his eyes were stone.
14:44Mr. Rossi, I'm here to escort Mrs. Vitale home.
14:48Please step aside.
14:49Lorenzo's gaze turned lethal.
14:51She hasn't left Palermo yet.
14:53I'd like to see who has the balls to take my woman.
14:56I felt exhausted.
14:57I'd tried to tell him several times, but his attention was always on Mia.
15:01Lorenzo, you've protected me for years.
15:04I'm grateful, but this is where it ends.
15:08I don't blame anyone.
15:10Don't blame anyone?
15:12Then come back with me.
15:14I'll marry you.
15:16I'll tell the Morettis myself.
15:18The rain fell harder.
15:19Lorenzo's hair was soaked.
15:21His eyes red.
15:22The Vitale butler stepped between us, unmoved.
15:25Apologies, Mr. Rossi,
15:26but the agreement with the Moretti family has been finalized.
15:30Mrs. Vitale leaves with us today.
15:32Lorenzo ignored him, staring only at me.
15:35I shook my head.
15:36Lorenzo, I told you.
15:37I only wanted three years.
15:39I have someone I truly like.
15:42I never planned to marry you.
15:45This again?
15:46Elena, you've been trapped in Morettis.
15:49Where would you even meet someone to love?
15:51I know calling you my shadow upset you.
15:53Stop being stubborn and come back with me.
15:55We'll talk there, okay?
15:57His tone had shifted, almost pleading now.
15:59I was grateful for his years of protection,
16:01but the moment Lorenzo let go of me
16:03and handed that flower to the scholarship girl,
16:06it meant we could no longer walk together.
16:10Lorenzo, Mia is your fiancé.
16:13All of Palermo saw it.
16:14You two should be happy together.
16:16Marry a scholarship girl?
16:18He laughed busily.
16:19Are you serious?
16:21I'd marry you before I'd ever marry her.
16:23My expression went cold.
16:24Lorenzo had always liked me,
16:26but he'd never respected me.
16:28This time, I didn't hesitate.
16:30I turned and walked toward the jet with the butler.
16:33Lorenzo stood frozen,
16:34his fists clenched,
16:36fury radiating off him.
16:38Elena!
16:39You leave Palermo,
16:41and no one will protect you anymore.
16:44Think carefully.
16:45Once you're gone,
16:47don't come back regretting it.
16:48I didn't answer.
16:49I stepped onto the plane.
16:51The butler had thoughtfully prepared a towel for me.
16:53He pointed to the washroom at the back of the plane,
16:56keeping his voice low.
16:57You can freshen up there,
16:58Mrs. Vitale.
16:59Getting caught in the rain,
17:00you'll catch cold.
17:02The jet was luxurious,
17:04clearly not a rental.
17:06This had to be the Vitale family's private plane.
17:09The Vitale family's power was on another level.
17:12Even the Morettis didn't own a private jet.
17:15The plane didn't just have a bathroom.
17:17It had a full bed.
17:18Strangely,
17:19the bedding was soft pink.
17:20Definitely not something
17:22Dante Vitale would choose for himself.
17:24In the bathroom,
17:25I changed into the prepared clothes.
17:27Another shock.
17:28The clothes fit me perfectly.
17:29When I came out,
17:30the butler had dismissed the guards
17:32to the back of the cabin.
17:33Excuse me,
17:34I asked.
17:35Does the Don usually use this plane?
17:37The butler saw my confusion.
17:38This plane was purchased
17:39specifically for you,
17:40Mrs. Vitale.
17:41Everything was customized
17:43to your preferences.
17:44The Don personally selected the bedding,
17:46the softest material available.
17:48My jaw nearly dropped.
17:50Something this extravagant?
17:52Casually given to a stranger?
17:53Wasn't he supposed to have someone he loved?
17:55The flight to New York is long.
17:57You should rest.
17:59So we've prepared a humidifier for you.
18:07No one had ever cared about my comfort before.
18:10I'd only ever learned to read other people's moods.
18:12This sudden concern made me restless.
18:14Fortunately, the butler noticed my discomfort
18:16and quietly withdrew.
18:18I pulled out a pen
18:19and started sketching notes,
18:20my mind full of worry
18:22about what lay ahead.
18:23The plane landed
18:24on a sprawling green estate.
18:25When I looked closer,
18:26I realized
18:27this was the Vitale compound.
18:29Even coming from a wealthy family,
18:31I'd never seen anything this lavish.
18:33Dante Vitale came to meet me personally,
18:36wearing a warm smile,
18:37nothing like the cold,
18:39ruthless man from the rumors.
18:40He draped a coat over my shoulders.
18:42His voice was smooth and pleasant.
18:44Are you cold?
18:45I shivered slightly and stepped back,
18:47putting some distance between us.
18:49Mr. Vitale,
18:51I know you have someone you love.
18:53I know marrying me was forced on you.
18:55Don't worry.
18:56I only need three years.
18:58I won't keep you from the woman you love for long.
19:00His brow furrowed, looking puzzled.
19:03Someone I love?
19:05Three years?
19:06Yes.
19:07For three years,
19:08I'll play the role of your wife.
19:11I won't interfere with your private life.
19:13After three years,
19:14we separate.
19:15I won't take a cent from you.
19:17I can sign an agreement.
19:18His frown deepened.
19:20He looked sharply toward the butler.
19:22When he got no response,
19:23he stepped closer
19:24and pulled me gently into his arms.
19:26My face flushed completely red.
19:28Who said we were going to keep things this separate?
19:31My wife?
19:32Seeing me embarrassed
19:33seemed to improve his mood.
19:34He lifted my chin,
19:36leaning closer.
19:37Everything I have is yours, my wife.
19:38Even after we went inside,
19:40I still hadn't recovered from the shock.
19:42Wasn't this man supposed to be cold and ruthless?
19:45Dante's home was all sharp lines and clean edges,
19:47but there were touches of color,
19:49soft furnishings
19:50that had clearly been added recently.
19:52The aesthetic was good,
19:54the pieces carefully chosen.
19:55They didn't clash.
19:57Instead,
19:57they made the space feel comfortable.
19:59I sat on the couch.
20:00I handed him a folded paper.
20:02This is my plan.
20:04I'd like to borrow some money.
20:06I'll pay you back in installments.
20:07He pulled the paper from my hand and scanned it.
20:11You need money?
20:13It was humiliating,
20:15arriving with nothing.
20:16No dowry.
20:17Nothing of value.
20:18For the Vitalis,
20:19this had to look like disrespect.
20:21I'd done my research before landing.
20:23The Vitali family didn't need alliances.
20:25They didn't need anyone's support.
20:26They stood alone at the top.
20:28People lined up from New York to Palermo
20:30just to ask them for favors.
20:31I still didn't understand
20:32why they'd agreed to this marriage
20:34with the Morettis.
20:35Yes,
20:36I don't have money,
20:38but I promise
20:40I have a way to pay you back.
20:42He didn't question me.
20:43Instead,
20:44his hand closed around mine,
20:46warm against my cold fingers,
20:47and he rubbed gently.
20:49My face flushed again.
20:51His mood seemed to improve.
20:52Why do you need money?
20:53I looked up sharply,
20:55suddenly realizing,
20:56maybe as Mrs. Vitali,
20:58I wasn't supposed to have financial control.
21:00Maybe I was expected
21:01to live off an allowance?
21:02To ask permission for spending money,
21:04I straightened,
21:05meeting his eyes.
21:07Mr. Vitale,
21:08I don't want to be trapped
21:09by the Moretti family,
21:10and I won't be live as a housewife,
21:13asking for handouts.
21:14I want my own career.
21:16If possible,
21:17I want to take back
21:18what belongs to me
21:19from the Morettis.
21:20Dante looked surprised
21:21that I'd spoken so openly.
21:23He reached up
21:23and ruffled my hair affectionately.
21:26Everything the Vitals have is yours.
21:28Before I could process that,
21:30he gestured to the butler,
21:31who brought over a black card.
21:32This is my account.
21:33Spend whatever you want.
21:36The room Dante gave me
21:38was the best
21:38in the entire compound.
21:40Sunlight flooded
21:41through the windows.
21:42The decor was soft,
21:43feminine,
21:44like something out
21:45of a princess's quarters.
21:46For someone who'd been
21:47an outsider
21:48in the Moretti house
21:49my whole life,
21:50it was almost unbelievable.
21:51I slept well
21:52for the first time in years.
21:54The next morning,
21:55I woke to a message
21:55from Uncle Luca.
21:56Lorenzo is furious.
21:58Why didn't you come back with him?
22:00Uncle Luca was the only one
22:01in the Moretti family
22:02who'd ever protected me,
22:04but his protection
22:04always came
22:05with strings attached.
22:06Uncle,
22:07I'm a person,
22:08not a pet you can call
22:09whenever you want.
22:11Really?
22:12I thought you'd already
22:13turned yourself
22:14into a weapon
22:15for revenge.
22:16Three years.
22:17I borrowed $100,000
22:19from the Vitales.
22:20I did everything
22:21a Don's wife
22:22was supposed to do.
22:23I attended galas
22:24with Dante,
22:25smiled for the cameras,
22:26let people court my favor.
22:28I played the role
22:28of the beautiful trophy wife.
22:30Even though Dante
22:31spoiled me endlessly,
22:33I never forgot my place.
22:34But in those three years,
22:35I used that $100,000
22:37to leverage resources
22:38in Palermo.
22:39I dismantled Moretti operations
22:41piece by piece,
22:43pulled their best men
22:44and capos
22:45into my own network.
22:46Don Earl
22:47finally saw the truth.
22:48His 23 children
22:50were useless.
22:51The second generation
22:52of Morettis panicked,
22:53afraid the family's collapse
22:55would hurt their shares
22:56of the casinos
22:56and territories.
22:57They started selling
22:58off their assets.
22:59I bought them all.
23:00One by one,
23:01I took control
23:02of their gambling operations,
23:03their shipping routes.
23:04I flipped operations
23:05that were bleeding money
23:06into profitable enterprises,
23:08expanded territories
23:09they'd neglected.
23:10By the time Don Earl
23:11realized what was happening,
23:13I controlled more
23:14of the family's income streams
23:15than he did.
23:16The other Moretti heirs
23:17couldn't compete
23:18with me anymore.
23:19It was 10 at night
23:20when I came home.
23:21Dante was sitting
23:21in the warm glow
23:22of the living room,
23:23waiting for me.
23:24My chest tightened.
23:26I walked over
23:26and wrapped my arms
23:27around his shoulders
23:28from behind.
23:29I held him
23:30for a long moment,
23:31then I let go
23:32and stepped back,
23:33composed again.
23:36Why are you back
23:37so late?
23:37He asked quietly.
23:39Are you tired?
23:40I had soup made for you.
23:41The words I'd been
23:42planning to say
23:43stuck in my throat.
23:44He took my hand
23:45and led me to the table,
23:46watching as I drank
23:47the soup.
23:50When are you going
23:51to let yourself
23:52depend on me?
23:53You don't have to
23:54exhaust yourself like this.
23:55I felt warmth
23:56spread through me.
23:57Looking at him
23:57in the soft light,
23:58I felt a pang of guilt.
24:00The three years are up.
24:01It's time for me
24:02to go back to Morettis.
24:04Dante had known
24:05all along
24:05that I hadn't truly
24:06given up on my plans.
24:07His expression
24:08showed no surprise.
24:12You don't like this
24:13from what I understand,
24:13only Luca
24:14has been good to you.
24:15And that Lorenz,
24:15I heard he's come to New York
24:16several times
24:17looking for you,
24:18but you never saw him.
24:19I was surprised he knew
24:20and had said nothing.
24:21Luca only uses me.
24:23He wants the top position
24:24in the Marachi family,
24:25that's our arrangement.
24:26As for Lorenzo,
24:27the moment I left Palermo,
24:29we could never
24:29walk together again.
24:30Then why go back?
24:31I have enough power now.
24:33I can take what's mine.
24:36I'll pay you back
24:37ten times what you lent me.
24:38My voice was cold,
24:39but I couldn't control
24:40the pain underneath.
24:41In the three years
24:42with the Vitales,
24:43I'd found a happiness
24:44I'd never known before.
24:45My heart had already
24:46shifted toward him,
24:47but thinking about
24:48the woman he loved,
24:49the one I'd never met,
24:50I refused to let myself
24:52become vulnerable.
24:53Dante,
24:54I've always known
24:55you had someone you loved.
24:59And I have someone too.
25:01He raised an eyebrow.
25:02So you've kept your guard up
25:03all this time
25:03because you think
25:04I love someone else?
25:05Can I ask?
25:06Who do you love?
25:08That memory was distant,
25:09so distant
25:10I'd almost forgotten
25:11if it even happened.
25:12When I was little,
25:13Donna Earle dumped me
25:14on the streets of Palermo.
25:16A boy found me
25:17and brought me back
25:18to the Meretti estate.
25:19He even bought me food.
25:20I only remember
25:21he was from New York,
25:22but I don't know
25:23what he looked like.
25:24It was the first time
25:25anyone was kind to me.
25:27I always wanted
25:27to thank him.
25:30Honestly, Dante,
25:32I've been tempted
25:33many times to stay here.
25:35I love it here,
25:36but I've been abandoned
25:38too many times.
25:40If I already know
25:41someone doesn't belong to me,
25:43I won't let myself
25:44depend on them.
25:45Dante's eyes grew brighter.
25:47A startling intensity
25:48filled them.
25:48He took my hand in his,
25:50slowly leaning closer
25:51until our noses touched.
25:53Elena,
25:54how do you know
25:55the person I love
25:56isn't you?
25:56That little girl
25:57on the Palermo streets
25:58who said she'd marry me
25:59for a plate of pasta.
26:00I never forget...
26:01The person I'd been searching for
26:02was right in front of me.
26:03The overwhelming joy
26:04made my head spin.
26:06I didn't even notice
26:06when his lips pressed
26:07against mine.
26:08The heat between us grew.
26:10Half resisting,
26:11half yielding.
26:11I lost track
26:12of when our clothes came off.
26:15The man in my bed
26:16was the man in my heart.
26:18Tears of gratitude
26:19slid down my face.
26:20Dante moved carefully,
26:22watching my reactions.
26:23Trust me, baby.
26:25Depend on me more.
26:26All I could do
26:27was bury my burning face
26:29in his chest.
26:30The union gala
26:30in New York.
26:31Both the Morettis
26:32and the Rossis
26:33came to the city.
26:34A Moretti butler
26:35arrived at the Vitale compound.
26:37When he saw me at home,
26:38the butler still
26:39acted superior.
26:41Miss Elena,
26:42the Don wants to see you.
26:43I ignored him,
26:44tending to the flowers
26:45in my hands.
26:46With Dante backing me,
26:47I'd finally stopped
26:48living with dark circles
26:49under my eyes.
26:50The butler was used
26:51to ordering me around.
26:52Since I was a child,
26:53he'd never treated me
26:54like a real Moretti.
26:56He reached out
26:56to grab me.
26:57You married into Vitale
26:58and now you're cocky?
26:59Don't forget
27:00who fed you
27:01as a child.
27:02Really?
27:03I'm learning
27:03something new today.
27:04A butler dares
27:06to lay hands
27:07on my wife
27:07and the Vitale?
27:08Dante's voice
27:09was freezing.
27:10His hand slid
27:11protectively around
27:12my waist.
27:13The Morettis
27:13come to my place
27:14and think they can
27:15summon my wife
27:16without asking?
27:16Just a goddamn butler.
27:19Who exactly
27:20are you disrespecting?
27:21That same day,
27:22the butler,
27:22the man who tormented
27:23me since childhood,
27:24had his leg broken
27:26and was dumped,
27:27bloodied and broken
27:27in front of the Morettis' hotel.
27:29Only then
27:30did the Moretti family
27:31realize who I'd married.
27:32On the night of the gala,
27:34the hotel became
27:34New York's
27:35most exclusive power arena.
27:37Security lined the entrance,
27:39hundreds of soldiers
27:39in black suits.
27:41Don Earl tried to play
27:42the father-in-law,
27:43acting entitled,
27:44but when he saw
27:45that everyone ignored him
27:46to pay respects
27:46to the Vitales,
27:47he had no choice
27:48but to shuffle over
27:49with the rest
27:50of the Moretti family.
27:52Is the Vitramli
27:53satisfied with my daughter?
27:54Crowd turned
27:54to look at him.
27:55He assumed
27:56his reputation
27:56from Palermo
27:57carried weight
27:58in New York,
27:59but the faces
27:59around him
28:00were blank.
28:01No one recognized him.
28:02Donna Earl,
28:03usually so arrogant,
28:04looked displeased.
28:06Elena,
28:07your parents
28:07came all this way
28:09and you don't
28:09even greet them?
28:10You haven't contacted
28:11the family in years.
28:12People will think
28:13we raised you
28:13without manners.
28:15Dante's wine glass
28:15hit the table
28:16with a sharp crack.
28:17Every eye in the room
28:18turned wary.
28:19This was the Dan Don
28:20signaling displeasure.
28:22These people
28:22were not welcome.
28:24Don Earl
28:24finally broke
28:25into a cold sweat.
28:26The Moretti
28:27was built on gambling.
28:28To expand into America,
28:30they needed
28:30legitimate fronts.
28:31But recently,
28:32someone had been
28:33quietly buying up
28:34their legitimate operations.
28:35By the time
28:36Don Earl noticed,
28:37his throat was already
28:38in someone else's grip.
28:39That's when he remembered.
28:41He had a daughter
28:41in New York.
28:42If he swallowed his pride
28:43and asked for help,
28:44there might still be a chance.
28:46But he'd spent
28:46his entire life
28:47being worshipped.
28:48He'd become a fool
28:49drunk on his own power.
28:50When the Morettis
28:51got nothing they wanted,
28:52they left the gala
28:53sulking.
28:54Donna Earl
28:55had spent the entire evening
28:56making snide remarks,
28:57insinuating I'd stolen
28:58opportunities from my sisters
29:00to marry into the Vitales.
29:02Subtly,
29:03I'd been isolated completely.
29:04I stepped out of the ballroom,
29:06leaning against the balcony railing
29:07to cool off
29:08from the heat inside.
29:09A figure approached
29:10from behind.
29:11Where's the person
29:12you supposedly love?
29:15You wouldn't come back
29:16with me to Palera,
29:17but you changed your tune
29:18pretty fast here.
29:19I hadn't seen Lorenzo
29:20in a long time.
29:21He'd grown darker,
29:22more bitter.
29:23He stared at the million-dollar
29:24necklace around my throat.
29:26Lorenzo,
29:26I'm grateful you protected
29:28me for years.
29:29But you were the one
29:30who didn't choose me.
29:32You don't get to be bitter now.
29:34The person I love
29:35is right here beside me.
29:37When I said it,
29:38my voice carried a happiness
29:40I couldn't hide.
29:41It cut him deeply.
29:42What about all those years
29:43we knew each other?
29:44I always wanted to marry you.
29:45And what about Mia?
29:47Wasn't she the bride
29:48you chose at the gala?
29:49Everyone witness it.
29:51The Rossi family
29:52never accepted
29:52a scholarship girl
29:53as a daughter-in-law,
29:54but the media had crowned Mia
29:56as Lorenzo's bride anyway.
29:58Mia appeared at events
29:59as his wife so many times
30:01that it became a running joke.
30:02The Rossi family
30:03eventually locked her away,
30:05banning her
30:05from public appearances.
30:07Lorenzo wanted to say more,
30:09but Uncle Luca
30:09emerged from the shadows.
30:11The Rossi heir,
30:13that's nothing.
30:13I trained you myself,
30:15raised you like my own weapon,
30:17and you turned into a wolf
30:19in sheep's clothing.
30:20I underestimated you.
30:23My biggest mistake
30:24was letting you leave,
30:26letting you gather enough power
30:27to come back
30:28and fight for what you wanted.
30:30You're smart.
30:32If only you weren't a bastard,
30:33you'd have been perfect.
30:34There was regret in his voice,
30:36regret that our alliance
30:37had fallen apart.
30:39Several senior capos,
30:40tired of waiting,
30:41staged a coup.
30:42They switched
30:43Don Earl's blood pressure medication.
30:45He had a stroke
30:45and ended up in the hospital.
30:47His mistresses took the money
30:48and ran,
30:49distancing themselves
30:50from the family.
30:52Only Donna Earl
30:53and a few useless children
30:55remained,
30:56struggling to maintain appearances.
30:57They sent someone
30:58to find the largest shareholder.
31:00That winter,
31:01the Moretti family collapsed.
31:02That's when I returned to Palermo.
31:04Years had passed,
31:05but the city looked exactly the same.
31:07While New York evolved daily,
31:09Palermo was frozen in time.
31:10As a child,
31:11I thought staying inside the family
31:13kept me safe from the storm.
31:14After I left,
31:15I realized
31:16the family was the storm.
31:18I went to the hospital
31:19and found Don Earl
31:20lying in bed,
31:21his face twisted and drooping.
31:22He pounded the mattress,
31:24cursing the mistresses
31:25who'd abandoned him.
31:26Donna Earl spooned soup
31:27into his mouth
31:28with obvious disgust.
31:30I told you to stop running around
31:31with those women.
31:32Look at you now.
31:33I'm the only one left.
31:36When he saw me,
31:37he struggled to sit up,
31:38pointing a shaking finger.
31:39Elena,
31:40my daughter married well.
31:43With the Vitalis behind us,
31:45those wolves wouldn't dare touch me.
31:47I pressed a handkerchief to my mouth,
31:48holding back nausea.
31:50I came to tell you something, Father.
31:52Sign over your control of the family.
31:54I'll handle the rest.
31:56You dare?
31:57You're just a bastard.
31:58I'll never leave my empire to you.
32:00I forgot to mention,
32:01except for what's in your hands,
32:03I control every other territory,
32:04every business.
32:05You can refuse to sign,
32:07but I can call a sit-down with the family
32:09and have you removed.
32:10Your choice.
32:11I wanted his casinos.
32:13I wanted everything.
32:14Sign,
32:14and I'll cover your medical bills.
32:16Refuse,
32:17and I'll take it myself.
32:18I walked out of the hospital
32:19with full control
32:20of the Moretti family.
32:21Donna Earl,
32:22seeing that Don Earl
32:23had nothing left,
32:24abandoned him too.
32:25I'd never forget the shock in his eyes
32:27when he realized what I'd done.
32:29Romano,
32:30that was you?
32:31That's right.
32:32I used my mother's surname,
32:34Romano.
32:34You have forgotten, right?
32:36With the Vitalis backing me,
32:37crushing the traitors was easy.
32:39When I walked into Moretti
32:40for the first time as it's Don,
32:41I closed my eyes,
32:41I used my mother's surname,
32:41I'm trying not to go first.
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