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Divorced, I Married the Godfather - Full Movie | HD Short Drama Series
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00:00The night I signed the divorce paper and walked away with nothing, I wandered the rainy streets alone, with a
00:06single duffel bag and only $36.
00:09That was when I spotted a flyer, taped to a roadside pole. Stepmom wanted her child, room and board, that's
00:15what got me.
00:16That same night, I showed up at the address. I walked straight into the mansion of Luca Castellano, the don
00:22of New York's oldest mafia family.
00:24Later, my ex-husband looked down at me with that same arrogance.
00:27Nora, do you finally realize you were wrong?
00:31Before I could answer, the four-year-old little tyrant exploded.
00:34Wrong about what? My mom is the best!
00:37The don slipped an arm around my shoulders, kicking him aside.
00:40My 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.
00:50Now I stood outside their mansion. Beside me, the butler carried himself with quiet arrogance.
00:55The don is looking for a mother for his child.
00:58Not a wife for himself. I need you to be very clear on that.
01:01Don is a very desirable man. Do not get any ideas you shouldn't.
01:05I kept my eyes lowered. Honestly, this job was perfect for me.
01:08To put it simply, they just needed a high-end nanny.
01:11Eight hours ago, I'd signed the divorce papers and been kicked out of my ex-hus house.
01:16The last thing I wanted was another husband. But a roof? Three meals? A place to disappear? That was a
01:21miracle.
01:22I understand. I won't get any ideas.
01:25The butler led me down a dim, vaulted corridor. Then I heard something that sounded like a gunshot.
01:30I stumbled, slammed straight into a hot, hard chest. The smell hit me first. Blood. Gunpowder.
01:36Then the barrel of a pistol tipped my chin up. A man in a suit with his hair slicked back.
01:41Blood streaked across his jaw.
01:43A snake tattoo coiling out of his collar onto his throat. My chest rose and fell rapidly with fear.
01:49His gun slid down from my chin and stopped between my soaked breasts.
01:53He studied me for a long beat. Finally, walked off without a word. I'd seen that face before.
01:58Page 6. New York Times.
02:00The Castellano Don. Sebastian had once spent a month studying his photos.
02:05Trying to get in with the old mafia family behind him. The butler finally spoke.
02:09The Don is handling some business. Please don't mind.
02:12I nodded quietly. Then he took me to change into something dry and led me into the dining room.
02:17A long wooden table sat beneath a crystal chandelier. And at one end, a father and son were locked in
02:23a standoff.
02:24The man with murder in his eyes was gone. In his place, at the table,
02:28sat 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,
02:38the man exhaled and set the spoon down. Long fingers pinched the bridge of his nose.
02:43His voice dropped, low and rough.
02:45One bite. One small bite. Is that really too much?
02:49The butler stepped forward.
02:51Don. The applicant is here.
02:53The man turned. His shirt was unbuttoned low.
02:55I could see most of the snake tattoo now. The lines of his muscles pressed faintly through
03:00the white linen. The most feared man in New York inherited the family glory at 16. Built it bigger,
03:06darker, quieter than his father had. Money, power, blood on his hands. So this wasn't some dream or
03:13scam. A man like Luca Castellano had no reason to scam a broke divorcee off the street. His eyes moved
03:19over me, distant and tired. Name? I figured he'd come straight from his so-called business,
03:24handling traitors, torturing some enemies, and now got defeated by a toddler. Feeding the kid was
03:30probably harder than running his empire. Nora Bennett. I said, a barely there nod. He held out
03:35the plate. Try. So, this was my interview. If I didn't pass, I was sleeping on the F train. I
03:41smiled my
03:41warmest, gentlest smile and walked toward the boy. I didn't make it two steps. Whoosh. He bolted under
03:47the table. Only his eyes peeked out. Dark, round, furious. I don't want her. Send her away. She's a bad
03:54lady. They're all bad ladies. So before me, this kid had already been through who knows how many
04:00stepmoms. Fine. I needed to do my best. I scanned the room and clocked it instantly. Action figures
04:06everywhere. Batman, Spider-Man, a whole shelf of Avengers. I grabbed two figures off the coffee
04:12table and crouched down by the table leg. I sat Batman and Spider-Man right next to the kid. Then
04:17I picked up the spoon. Don't worry. I'm not feeding you. I'm feeding Batman. I mimed a spoonful into
04:23Batman's face. Open up, bats. Heroes who skip dinner? Skinny arms, skinny legs. Can't protect anyone
04:29like that. Oh, Batman wants vegetables? Good call. Spinach makes you strong. The boy watched,
04:35half-hidden, lips parting, smacking his mouth a little. I pretended not to see. His nose started
04:41turning pink, like he was about to cry. Right on cue, I gasped. Wait, is that a baby Batman over
04:47there? Bats, can you share with him? He has to eat too if he's gonna grow up strong. I tilted
04:53Batman. Bats says yes. I turned to the boy. Batman improved, kiddo. You get a little, but just a
05:00little. We 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
05:10vegetables? You scared I'll get stronger than Batman? Bad lady. I glanced at the couch. Luca
05:16Castellano's mouth curved. A small, real smile. Approving. I moved into the castle that night.
05:22There were three floors. I got the second floor with Leo. Luca had the entire third floor to
05:26himself. The butler walked me to my room and gave me one last warning. You do not go up to
05:31the third
05:31floor. Ever. His voice dropped. The last woman who snuck up there to climb into the Don's bed got
05:37thrown out of his window. Two story drive. I thought of the gun from an hour ago. I nodded so
05:41hard I
05:42almost gave myself whiplash. Won't happen. You have my word. Castellano men breed serious. Leo was only
05:48four and slept in his own bed without a fuss. And that made my job easier. I'd just changed into
05:54the
05:54silk pajamas from the closet. The knock made me jump. Don Luca's voice was low behind the door. Come down.
06:00Let's talk. Luca was on the couch in the great room. Long legs crossed. Whiskey in his hand. I sat
06:05across from him on the opposite couch. Hands in my lap. Knees together. Like a job interview. You're
06:10good with kids. You have one of your own? No. I helped raise my ex's nephew for two years. Back
06:15the...
06:16The crane said I didn't make enough money and ordered me to quit. Called it generosity. Then,
06:21after I did, they claimed I was lazy and had nothing to do. So they fired the nanny and dumped
06:25the kid
06:26on me. More free maid than wife. File says you're divorced. Yes. Reason? Some small town girl
06:32cannot stain a noble family name. I guess. Only a coward would say that. You saw the ad. I'm hiring
06:38a mother for Leo. Not a date for me. My rival's family terrified him when he was little. He's always
06:43been insecure, hates leaving the house, and has never had a single friend. I work long hours. I need
06:48someone with patience. Someone who'll stay. There will be a prenum. Everything stays separate.
06:54Especially in bed. My heart shuddered as I looked deep into his eyes. Marriage in rich people's world
06:59was a contract before it was anything else. My marriage with Sebastian was for love. But because
07:04the gaps between our family, I'd signed one with him too. When the love ran out, I'd walked away with
07:10nothing. Not even my wedding ring. Let alone a powerful mafia family like the Castellanos.
07:16They would only be more careful. I understand. Honestly, if you just need someone in the house,
07:21we don't have to make it legal. I'm fine without the paperwork. Luca shook his head. He leaned
07:27forward, tapping his fingers on the table. Marriage is for Leo. He needs the most stable mother I can
07:32give him. And marriage is the strongest contract there is. All right. We'll do it your way.
07:41Don't worry. You'll get a hundred thousand a month for expenses. This was the part I cared about.
07:45I've been burned before. Mr. Castellano, if we divorce someday, can I keep the money you've
07:50given me? Of course. It's yours. All right then. As for sex, I don't need anything from you in that
07:59area. You stay on the second floor. Right. The sex. That's fine. Neither do I. So, three days after I
08:07signed divorce papers, I got married again. No ceremony, no guests. Same as my first wedding.
08:13The butler added an extra dish to dinner. I thought that was the celebration. But suddenly,
08:19Luca slid a signet ring across the table. A Castellano family ring.
08:26That's not necessary. Sebastian never even gave me his family ring. For Leo's sake.
08:32Then I got it. The child needed a family illusion. I fell into silence and finally took it. I'll keep
08:39it
08:39safe. That night, I'd just gotten into bed when the door creaked open. Leo stood in the doorway,
08:45bare 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?
08:57I'll get my dad to pay you extra. If you don't want to, forget it.
09:01Come here.
09:01I held the covers open. He scrambled in like he'd been waiting for that all day.
09:06Halfway through the story, he was out cold against my shoulder.
09:10Next morning at breakfast, Luca's eyes widened when the butler told him Leo had slept in my bed.
09:16Nora, 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 literally
09:30nothing. During the day, I babysat his nephew. At night, I cooked for my husband. After satisfying
09:37his needs in bed, I still had to get up at five to clean the house and make breakfast.
09:41His mother judged.
09:43We 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
09:52off them for three years.
09:54Mr. Castellano, it's really too much. I like Leo. He's a sweet kid. Reading him a book is
09:59nothing.
10:00As I said it, Leo came over and grabbed my fingers with his small, warm hand. He was looking
10:05up at me with those big, dark grape eyes. He was actually moved.
10:09You don't know. The women before you only cared about impressing me. They ignored him.
10:1750,000. 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
10:27transactions, 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
10:37hospital
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.
10:50He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. Didn't say anything. Just looked at me with
10:55those dark, sad eyes.
10:58He's scared you're not coming back. His mother left him exactly like that.
11:03I'm coming back. I'll see the doctor and come right home. You play here, okay?
11:07I was still mid-sentence when he climbed into the backseat of the car. The butler tried not
11:11to hope. Master Leo, you're going to the hospital with Miss Bennett? Leo nodded.
11:17Thank God. He's finally willing to leave the house. Your depression's getting better. Just keep
11:22it slow. Relax. I took the script and the meds and left. Leo was waiting in the lobby with his
11:28small
11:28Batman. Nora, are you sick? A little, kiddo. I used to skip meals a lot, so I got sick. Promise
11:38me you'll
11:39never let yourself get like that. Does it hurt? If it hurts, I can give you candy. Daddy told me
11:46candy makes you forget. My tears fell without warning. In the crane house, I'd cry and they'd
11:52call it dramatic. Small town girl. Can't handle the lifestyle. I had depression. Stop faking it to
12:04get attention. The nephew I'd raised for two years stood next to his mother on divorce day and called
12:09me ugly. And here was this four-year-old mafia heir handing me his last piece of candy. Nora,
12:15I'm going to eat every meal so I can grow up and protect you.
12:25You better grow fast, babe. When we walked out of the hospital, there was a black Maybach idling at
12:31the curb. Luca was leaning against it. Mr. Castellano, why are you here? He scooped his son
12:36into his arms. Seeing how calm and composed the boy was, his eyes suddenly reddened. The butler
12:41called, said Leo went out with you. I had to see it. Dad, as long as I'm with Nora, you
12:46can stop
12:47worrying. I know. That night, he tried to raise my pay again. This time, a black card. I refused so
12:55hard,
12:56he laughed. Noya, there must be something you want. Could you help me find a used car?
13:045,000 or below, so I can take Leo out without depending on the driver.
13:10Pick anything from the garage. The cheapest car in your garage is a quarter million. I wouldn't
13:16dare drive it. Fine. Next morning, an old, beat-up sedan was parked next to his black Bentley.
13:25He also flew in a psychiatrist. Same diagnosis as the hospital. But this time, my meds were
13:30upgraded to the brand I'd never been able to afford. Your wife needs company, family. Don't
13:36push her too hard. I'll remember that. The next day, I drove Leo out with me. He'd always been
13:42insecure, had barely seen the outside world. Now, I wanted to show it to him. First, the amusement park.
13:48He grabbed my hand and dragged me over to take pictures. Then, I took him to the farmer's market.
13:52He'd never been to a farmer's market in his life.
13:55Nora! 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!
14:05Nora?
14:06It was Sebastian, my ex-husband. He was in a crisp gray suit, hair perfect, looking like he'd stepped
14:13out of a magazine cover. It had been five weeks since the divorce. My stomach nodded on contact.
14:19Sebastian and I had met in college. He came from one of those Wall Street elite families.
14:24The golden boy of high finance. He'd ignored every objection from his family to put a ring
14:28on me. At our wedding, he'd promised to protect me for life. Then, he took over Crane Capital,
14:33he started finding fault with everything. He wanted me to quit my job, take care of his
14:38parents, take care of his sister's kid, cook, laundry, cleaning. I did all of it because
14:44I loved him. Because I'd never been loved by my own family and didn't know any better.
14:49Until one day, I caught him in a private club with a girl in his lap. My whole world shattered.
14:54I cried. I screamed. I begged him to swear it would stop. The whole Crane family said I
15:01was overreacting. What successful man doesn't have side action? Sebastian said I'd been spoiled
15:06rotten. He blocked my number. Stopped coming home. My depression cratered. I filed for divorce.
15:14He thought it was a bluff. His family told him, don't let her win. He had his lawyer draft papers.
15:19I walked out with nothing. Signed them in seven seconds. Four years of dating. Three years of
15:24marriage. Done. Noah, Ivy League degree. And here you are playing nanny? What were you thinking?
15:33Not your business. Nora, try to understand. The day you married into the Crane family,
15:39you represent the Crane name. Sebastian, we're divorced. I have nothing to do with your family anymore.
15:48Even divorced, you're my ex-wife. People still bring me up when they talk about you.
15:52Stop embarrassing me. Use your head for once. Stop being emotional all the time.
15:58Nora, a few weeks out here. Bet you miss being Mrs. Crane, don't you? Admit you were wrong. I'll
16:03think about taking you back. The girls outside the marriage, those were nothing. I haven't replaced
16:07you. The position's still open. Just swallow your pride. Apologize to my mother and my sister.
16:12Don't bother holding it. Give the seat to someone else, Sebastian. I'm not interested.
16:15On the drive home, a new number called. Connor, the nephew I'd raised for two years. I'd block the
16:21rest of the Cranes. Not him. Kids didn't pick their parents. Hey, Con. Nora, you divorced loser.
16:29My mom wants to talk to you. My throat closed up. Then Cassandra Crane took the phone.
16:34Nora, Sebastian tells me you're working as a nanny. Have you ever thought about anyone but yourself?
16:39You're slapping Sebastian's face. You're slapping the Crane name. What does that look like to people?
16:44Nora, I always said it. You'll never rise above your roots. Trash dressed in silk. I hung up,
16:50blocked her, pulled over. I crashed onto the steering wheel and bawled. I cried until I couldn't
16:55breathe. I cried until I was so empty I felt nothing. Then I sat up, wiped my face, felt the
17:01exhaustion settle bone deep. Nora, here, tissue. I'd forgotten Leo was in the back seat. He was
17:06holding a tissue out from his car seat. Big, sad eyes glued to me. I'm sorry, sweetheart. Did I scare
17:11you? Nora, I'm not scared. You can cry as long as you want. I'll wait. Adults crying isn't
17:18shameful. I won't laugh. Thanks, my little gentleman. Auntie's done. No more crying from
17:23now on. Let's go home. I went to bed early that night. Didn't feel up to dinner. Then a knock.
17:29Nora, can I come in? Luca. I was fresh out of the shower. Hair wet, robe tied carefully. I made
17:36sure
17:36nothing was showing. Come in. He was in a tight white tank top, making the snake tattoo stand out
17:42even more. Dark hair falling loose over his forehead. Whiskey in his hand. Looser than I'd
17:47ever seen him. He sat in the chair by my bed. His gaze flicked to my wet collarbone. Then
17:52immediately to the wall, like he'd been caught. The clothes in your closet, you never wear any of
17:56them. They're too nice. I'm not used to it. I'd learned one thing from the crane marriage.
18:02Don't force yourself into a world that isn't yours. The fall is uglier when they shove you
18:06out. Are they not your style? I'll have the designer come fit you for new ones. No,
18:11no, Mr. Castellano. I'm in the house all day with Leo. There's nowhere to wear that kind
18:15of thing, truly. I heard you saw your ex today. His name's Crane? The stupid Crane capital?
18:22I froze. Leo had snitched. Yes, that crane. Old news. Nora, since you came, Leo's been a
18:31different child. Thank you. His eyes were dark and serious on mine. I shifted, uncomfortable.
18:36You pay me very well. It's what I'm here for. Nora, ask me for anything. I can probably make
18:42it happen. Mr. Castellano, I don't need anything. He was quiet a long moment. His fingers tightened
18:48on his knee, then released. He stood up. I'll say this again. I'm the Don of the Costetto family.
18:55If you want, I can make sure he never speaks again more by tomorrow. I took a step back,
19:01still not used to him being this close. Without warning, he tucked a strand of hair behind my
19:05ear. Did I scare you? I said nothing. His hand slid down from my cheek. He gave a faint smile,
19:12then walked out. For the next two weeks, Luca started coming home early. Dinner with Leo and me.
19:18Sometimes board games after. Sometimes a movie. A man who ran half of New York's underworld didn't
19:24change his schedule for no reason. I was starting to worry. Was the family in trouble? Not that I
19:29cared about him. I just really cared about my 150 grand a month. Mr. Castellano, you don't have to
19:35keep coming home this early. Leo has me. If you've got business, take it. Luca picked up a red Lego
19:40brick. Voice perfectly neutral. The psychiatrist said you need family. Leo and I are your family now.
19:46We have responsibilities. Since when are we family, I wanted to say. I didn't. Honestly, Leo's enough.
19:53The doctor said my improvement is mostly thanks to him. He stroked his chin, avoiding eye contact.
20:00I grabbed Leo's hand and stood. Come on, buddy. Story time. Daddy still has work. Leo and I walked
20:05out. Nora. Luca's voice stopping me at the doorway. Yes? His ears were faintly pink. He cleared his
20:13throat. Tomorrow night, there's an event. Plus sun's required. Would you come with me? Me?
20:27You. I don't have time to find someone else. I'll pay you an appearance fee. A man with his face
20:32couldn't find a date in 24 hours? I didn't think too much. There was money on the table. Sure. I
20:39don't
20:39know the social rules in your world, though. I don't want to embarrass you. The Cranes were a moneyed
20:44family, too. But Sebastian had never taken me to anything because his mother said... She doesn't know
20:49how to act in public. Don't let her embarrass us. Stand next to me. That's all. Luca's brow eased.
20:56If you want, I can make the gossipers shut up for good. The butler chimed in, beaming. Miss Bennett,
21:03you don't need to know the rules. The don is the rules. Hard to argue with that. The next afternoon,
21:09a design team showed up at the mansion. Five people. Most of them flown in from Paris. Hair,
21:15makeup, dress, jewelry. They huddled and debated each detail for 20 minutes at a stretch. By the
21:22time Luca came home, I was starting to feel sick about how much was on me. He walked in, saw
21:28me. His
21:29eyes did something. A brief flash, almost stunned, before he caught himself. Daddy, look how pretty
21:37Nora is. Call her mom. Leo turned his head and harrumphed. Wouldn't say it. I patted his hair.
21:44It's okay. I like Nora. Makes me feel young. The event was a charity gala at the plaza. Every major
21:52name in New York was there. Old money, bigger money, political faces. A few faces I recognized from the
21:58papers, and a few I knew not to recognize at all. They orbited Luca immediately. Conversations started
22:04landing on me. Mr. Castellino. Who's the beautiful lady? I jumped in to save him.
22:11I'm a friend of Mr. Castellino's. My wife, Nora. The room shifted. A chorus of polite gasps.
22:21Compliments raining down. My face went hot to my collarbone. Luca squeezed my hand. Leaned in.
22:27Nora. Is being my wife really that embarrassing? You couldn't say it?
22:33Bourbon and cedar on his breath. No. No. I just... I didn't want to embarrass you.
22:39His eyes darkened. He looked at me like he was lighting something on fire.
22:43Only a weak man is embarrassed by his wife. I had to look away. I'll grab a drink.
22:47I bolted. I'd been hiding by the champagne tower for about 90 seconds when...
22:53Nora?
22:57There was no date. Just him. Hadn't Luca said plus ones required? Sebastian's face was pure stunned.
23:04It is you. I almost didn't recognize you.
23:14I've never seen you look like this.
23:16I stepped back. Stay away from me.
23:19Nora. About my sister's call. That wasn't me. I'd never authorize that.
23:24Truth is, I only agreed to the divorce to teach you a lesson.
23:27Bratty wife. Needed reminding. I never actually planned to let you go.
23:31I apologize to my mom and my sister. We'll remarry. I'll forget the rest.
23:41Crane. Capital is bleeding right now. I'm slamped. Stop making things hard for me.
23:46He reached for my hand. The Sebastian special. One slap. One kiss.
23:51He'd run me on that loop for three years. I'm not the Nora he married anymore.
23:56I yanked back.
23:57Sebastian. Divorced means divorced. I'd rather sleep under the Brooklyn Pleerage than wear your last name again.
24:03Find someone else for that throne.
24:05Still stubborn. You haven't suffered enough. Crawl. Find me when you've actually been broken.
24:12That's when Luca started walking toward us. Sebastian's whole posture changed.
24:18Nora. We'll talk later. There's a heavyweight I need to corner. Don't get in the way.
24:23Plastered on his best smile and intercepted Luca with a business card already out.
24:29My Don. I'm Sebastian Crane. Crane Capital. I'd like to talk about the mandate you pulled.
24:36Five years. Crane at Capital ran the books on every fund Castellino Holdings put on the street.
24:42Then you cut us out overnight. If we fell short, tell me where. Whatever you need, I'll make it right.
24:49Sebastian, half bowed. Luca's eyes went past him, straight to me.
24:54Nora. What do you think? Should I give him a second chance?
24:59Sebastian's smile froze.
25:01Nora? What does she have to do with...
25:04Mr. Castelloni. You should know. Nora is my ex-wife. I don't know how she got in here tonight.
25:10Probably trying to ambush me into wrecking elitiation. She's just a housewife. Pay her no mind.
25:15Luca didn't even glance at him.
25:17Nora. Your call. I'll follow your lead.
25:23I kept my voice flat.
25:25Mr. Crane just asked me not to interfere in his business conversation. I'd hate to interfere.
25:31Sebastian flared.
25:32A man's business is none of your concern. Of course, small town instincts.
25:36Luca's voice came in cold and final.
25:39Then I'd assume my wife doesn't approve of Crane Capital. Mr. Crane, we'll have to pass.
25:44His arm slid around my shoulders. He turned us toward the bar.
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. You stepped on a live mine.
26:00That's the only woman who's ever been on his arm in 20 years.
26:04Castellano's wife? Impossible.
26:06The woman's a nanny in the Castellano house.
26:09Sebastian had seen Nora at the farmer's market, driving the cheap car, carrying a lobster for the brat.
26:14He knew what he saw. A fancy dress didn't make a duchess.
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 and three pieces of war-era jewelry, 180 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, there's a small tea at my place next week. Would you grace us?
26:44Mrs. Castellano, my husband is bidding on a Castellano project. Just a quiet word to the Don.
26:49I'd never been on this side of a room. I drank three glasses to keep my hands steady.
26:54Luca intercepted on the fourth.
26:55Apologies, everyone. My wife isn't a drinker. I'll take hers.
27:00He drank. Then he drank for me three more times.
27:03By the time we slid into his Rolls Royce, we were both lit.
27:07I glanced out the window. Sebastian was on the curb, watching us.
27:11Mouth curled in that ugly little smirk, like I was the punchline.
27:15I closed the curtain, turned to Luca.
27:17Mr. Castellano, thank you. For tonight. For... what you did with Sebastian.
27:25His voice came out low, soft around the edges.
27:29Nora, we're husband and wife. Stop thanking me.
27:34We're a paper husband and wife. You didn't have to.
27:38His arm lifted. Long fingers tilted my chin up. His thumb brushed slow against my jaw.
27:44Nora, what if I don't want a paper marriage anymore?
27:47He was too close. His face was carved out of something dangerous.
27:52Eyes blown black. Heat from his breath landed on my throat.
27:56He smelled like bourbon and that cedar cologne.
27:58And something underneath that was just him.
28:01The most controlled man in New York was looking at my mouth like he wanted it.
28:08Mr. Castellano, you've had too much.
28:14You're right, I'm sorry. I had too much.
28:17The rest of the ride was silence. A heavy, humming silence with my pulse loud in my ears.
28:27Leo saved me. He sprinted at the front door with his picture book.
28:33I scooped him up and ran upstairs before I had to look Luca in the face again.
28:38I tucked Leo in, then opened my laptop and started scrolling job boards.
28:43Sebastian was right about one thing.
28:45My Ivy League degree shouldn't be wasted by eating in a mansion playing house.
28:49I'd done that marriage already.
28:51Stayed home. Made myself small.
28:54The minute he didn't need me, he tossed me into the street with nothing.
28:58I'd be damned if I let that happen twice.
29:00While Leo needed me, I had a place here.
29:03The day he didn't, what was I?
29:05Though I'm not ready to go back to work yet, physically or mentally.
29:09But knowing the market, updating a resume, that couldn't hurt.
29:13Then my phone lit up.
29:14A text from Luca.
29:18The butler did the coffee. Always.
29:21And the first rule of this house was don't go to the third floor.
29:25I ground a fresh espresso anyway.
29:27Then I stood at the bottom of the staircase.
29:29Hesitated.
29:30Was this a test?
29:32Did the last applicant get launched out a window after being summoned upstairs?
29:36Was this revenge for the car?
29:38I called him.
29:40Mr. Castellana.
29:42Coffee's here. Come down for it.
29:44Bring it up.
29:46I hit the record button on my phone.
29:48Caught it.
29:49If he tried anything sketchy, I had proof.
29:53I climbed the stairs.
29:54Knocked.
29:56Come in.
29:57I pushed the door open.
29:59And forgot how to breathe.
30:02He'd just gotten out of the shower.
30:04Black silk robe, loosely tied at the waist.
30:07A drop slid from his jaw, down his throat, into the open robe.
30:12Bathhouse art.
30:13Renaissance painting.
30:14Holy hell.
30:16He took the coffee.
30:17His fingertips dragged across mine on purpose.
30:21That scared of me?
30:22Nora, am I a monster?
30:27Nora.
30:31From now on, you can come into my room whenever you want.
30:34My face still burned.
30:36The rules of this house and the rules of my heart were both breaking.
30:40I woke up the next morning with a sore throat, sneezing.
30:43Of course.
30:44Wet hair, late night, fancy dress, too much champagne.
30:48I shuffled downstairs in sweats, expecting the empty great room.
30:52Lupa was on the couch.
30:54Black turtleneck, wireframe glasses.
30:56The combination should be illegal.
30:59Morning.
31:00He set the paper down.
31:02You're sick.
31:03A little.
31:05The back of his hand landed on my forehead.
31:07Calm.
31:07Practice.
31:08Like he did it every morning.
31:10I went stiff as a board.
31:12Not bad.
31:13I'll grab some Therafex.
31:15You'll be fine.
31:15He guided me to the couch like I was made of glass.
31:18Walked to the kitchen.
31:19A six-foot-something Mafia Don, stirring a packet of cold medicine into a mug.
31:24Usually, a Don would poison the drink instead.
31:27I caught myself wondering what kind of woman Leo's mother had been to deserve a man like this.
31:41I drank the Theraflu and slunk back to bed.
31:44I didn't want to be in his way, so I just dozed off when an unknown number rang.
31:53Nora, it's me.
31:55Sebastian.
31:55I started to hang up.
31:57Don't.
31:57I'm parked outside the Castellani gate.
32:00Come out or I'll be at the front door.
32:01Up to you.
32:02I did not want him at the door.
32:04I did not want my pass laid out on Luca's marble entryway like roadkill.
32:08Sebastian intercepted me on the sidewalk.
32:11Nora, how long is this stunt going on for?
32:14Mrs. Crane working as a nanny?
32:16You don't feel humiliated, but I do.
32:20I'm not doing anything to you, Sebastian.
32:22Stop the act.
32:23You dressed up last night to make me jealous.
32:26Fine.
32:27I'll admit it.
32:28After you left, I missed you a little.
32:31Here's the deal.
32:32Apologize to my mom and my sister.
32:34We remarry.
32:35You can stop scrubbing floors for strangers.
32:39Sebastian.
32:40I didn't do anything wrong.
32:42What am I apologizing for?
32:45You still don't see the problem?
32:48You haven't been beaten down enough.
32:50I was about to fire back when a small round cannonball blew past me.
32:54Leo, when he saw a strange man hassling me, he did not hesitate.
32:58My 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, protecting me.
33:07Something cracked open in my chest.
33:08I pulled him in tight.
33:10Kid, what did you just call her?
33:13Isn't she your nanny?
33:15You're a nanny.
33:16Your whole family is a nanny.
33:18Nora is my mom.
33:20My best mom.
33:22He pulled back, anxious.
33:23I nodded.
33:24My eyes were wet again.
33:26Nora, you'll be my mom, right?
33:29I'll be so good.
33:31I promise.
33:34Leo, I am your mom, sweetheart.
33:37He squeezed me tighter and refused to let go.
33:40Sebastian's face twisted into a slow, ugly smile.
33:43Oh.
33:44Oh, I see it now.
33:47Nora, you're putting a child up to it.
33:50You're playing the long game on Castelloni.
33:53He grabbed my arm.
33:54Listen, Castorano isn't a man you scam.
33:58He's known for ice in his veins.
34:00He finds out you're using his son to angle for him.
34:03He'll bury you in the East River.
34:04A warm hand landed on my waist.
34:07I hadn't heard him come outside.
34:10Luca, he pulled me into him.
34:12Mr. Crane, the last time we spoke, you insulted my wife.
34:16That's why I pulled the mandate.
34:18I was planning to tell the other firms on the street that this was personal.
34:22They could keep doing business with Crane of Papadal.
34:25After today, I don't think I need to.
34:27Castelloni, Castelloni, what, you wife?
34:30Who's your wife?
34:32Mr. Crane, are you really still confused?
34:35Or are you only capable of believing what you want to believe?
34:39Nora is my wife.
34:41The mother of my son.
34:44Send him off.
34:45Luca turned to the butler at the door.
34:47If anyone like this bothers Mrs. Castellini again, have my men throw him out.
34:51He took Leo with one arm, wrapped the other around me, walked us inside.
34:56The second the door closed, I peeled out of Luca's arm.
35:00Awkward as hell.
35:01I took Leo upstairs to my room.
35:05Leo, where 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.
35:26Why does he need alone time with me?
35:28Dad said he had to make you fall in love with him.
35:32Otherwise, you might leave us.
35:34Leo was four sentences into his report when Luca appeared in the doorway.
35:38Leo, downstairs.
35:41Dinner.
35:41Stop bothering your mother.
35:43My whole face hot.
35:44Mom, I'll be back to keep you company in a bit.
35:48He scampered out.
35:49Luca didn't leave.
35:51He walked in.
35:53Feeling better?
35:54I looked sideways.
35:56Mr. Castellano.
35:58Thank you for what you did.
36:00Please don't ruin a business decision for me.
36:04I'm really not worth it.
36:06Not worth what?
36:09What you did out there.
36:12Nora, I told you.
36:14You're my wife.
36:16Protecting you is my job.
36:18But-
36:19Stop calling this a paper marriage.
36:22Nora.
36:23I want a real one.
36:25I had not expected him to swing this hard, this fast.
36:28My face went up in flames.
36:31I'll give you time.
36:32Take whatever you need.
36:34But right now, I want to collect just a little husband privilege.
36:38Before I could form a coherent thought, he leaned in.
36:41A 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, hard and ruthless.
36:52His tongue swept into my mouth, stealing the air from my lungs.
36:56Right.
36:56This was how a mafia boss kissed.
36:59Cold.
37:00Merciless.
37:00Taking whatever he wanted.
37:02The kiss lasted so long my mind went blank by the time he finally pulled away.
37:06He rubbed his thumb over my swollen lips.
37:09My little princess, that's enough for today.
37:17Next time, I won't let you off so easily.
37:20Leo got hauled to preschool again the next morning, under protest.
37:24My cold was almost gone.
37:26Luca asked if I wanted to see a movie.
37:28After everything that had happened, I thought about it.
37:31We were married on paper.
37:32If something real was going to grow there, that wasn't the worst outcome.
37:36He had a private media room on the third floor.
37:39It was my first time entering other room in third floor.
37:42Before that, he showed me his collection room.
37:45One entire wall was covered in cold weapons.
37:48Daggers, knives, blades of every kind.
37:51Honestly, it was breathtaking.
37:53I was still standing there staring at the wall when he stepped up behind me and fastened a necklace around
37:58my neck.
37:59Another snake.
38:00Exactly like the tattoo on his body.
38:03A 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.
38:14Mixed with far less elegant sounds in the background.
38:17Luca leaned closer, his voice brushing against my ear.
38:21Nora.
38:23Yes?
38:24I closed my eyes, my fingers tightening around the snake pendant, like 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.
38:37One hand slid gently around my throat.
38:40Then the kiss deepened.
38:41Rougher.
38:42Heavier.
38:43The kind that stole every thought from my head.
38:46He pulled off the white tank top.
38:48And for the first time, I saw the snake tattoo stretched across his chest.
38:52One of the snake's eyes was a scar.
38:54I leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss against it.
38:58I 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.
39:05Soon, the room filled with ragged breathing.
39:08That night, I offered myself to a mafia boss.
39:11After all the hot, chaotic moans, he kept me tucked against my chest.
39:15He slid a glossy stack of brochures into my hand.
39:19Nora.
39:20Pick a wedding planner.
39:22I owe you a real wedding.
39:26You don't have to.
39:27The Dawn's wife should carry that honor forever.
39:30I want every person in this city to know Nora Bennett is my wife.
39:34And I'm her husband.
39:36I only regret I didn't put it all at your feet the night you walked through that door.
39:40I laughed into his shoulder.
39:44The night I walked through that door, we didn't even know each other.
39:48How were we supposed to...
39:50Nora.
39:51The night I saw you in that doorway, I already wanted you.
39:55Our wedding was bigger than anything New York had hosted in a decade.
39:59Old families.
40:00New money.
40:01Senators.
40:02A cardinal.
40:03The mayor.
40:04The mayor.
40:04We were on the front page for three days running.
40:07I scolded Luca.
40:08The butler beamed.
40:09Mrs. Castellino.
40:11The dawn has been quiet his entire life.
40:13This is the first time he's ever been loud.
40:16Indulge him this once.
40:17I let it go.
40:18The night of the wedding, a strange number called me.
40:21My brow furrowed.
40:23Luca's long arm reached over and killed the call.
40:25His fingers tightened on my waist.
40:28Mrs. Castellino, eyes on me.
40:31After, he 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.
40:40I made a small sleepy sound.
40:42Leo isn't my son.
40:43He's my sisters.
40:45He spoke quietly, in pieces.
40:47His parents had died when he was 13.
40:49He and his elder sister went through a dark period in this empire.
40:53Until one day, she married.
40:55Had Leo.
40:56But happiness suddenly ended.
40:58When she and her husband were killed in a shooting three years ago.
41:02Luca wiped out that whole family then.
41:04He put Leo on his own birth certificate.
41:07Quietly.
41:08So nobody could ever take him.
41:10I thought it would be Leo and me forever.
41:12Then you walked in.
41:13And nothing was the same.
41:15He kissed me again.
41:17A few months later, I walked out of the hospital alongside Leo.
41:21Mom.
41:22Dad said you weren't sick anymore.
41:24Why'd we go to the hospital?
41:27Because mom has a baby in her belly.
41:30Yes!
41:31I finally get a sister!
41:33What if it's a brother?
41:37If it's a brother, we throw him in the trash.
41:40If it's a sister, she plays with me.
41:42Out of the mouths of babes.
41:44I was laughing when a figure stepped in front of me.
41:47A man.
41:48Wild hair.
41:49Filthy coat.
41:50Hunched shoulders.
41:51I almost dug for a few bucks.
41:55Sebastian Crane.
41:57Nora?
41:58Leo planted himself in front of me on instinct.
42:01I pulled him to my side and squeezed his shoulder.
42:04Sebastian.
42:05What 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.
42:15He'll listen to you.
42:16Please.
42:16Then I remembered what Luca had mentioned.
42:19Weeks back.
42:19First, the Castellano family cut all ties with Crane Capital.
42:23Then the rest of New York followed.
42:25Nobody wanted to risk losing Castellano favor.
42:28Within weeks, Sebastian's company collapsed.
42:31His sister, Cassandra, the 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.
42:43Crane Capital went bankrupt overnight.
42:45Now Sebastian stood in front of me,
42:47sobbing, begging.
42:49I didn't feel anything for him.
42:51Sebastian.
42:52People are equal.
42:53Your fault.
42:54Your mess.
42:55You pay for it.
42:57No one can help you.
42:58Behind me, the lobby doors slid open.
43:00Luca had just finished with my OB.
43:02He walked toward us.
43:03Nara, let's go home.
43:05We walked past Sebastian Crane like he wasn't there.
43:08Because he wasn't.
43:09Not in our life.
43:10Not anymore.