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From Ashes To Gilded Nest. Completed English dubbed
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On my 80th birthday, I died of pure rage on the living room floor of the Romano estate.
00:05I had spent 60 years turning the Romanos from a notorious mafia family into a global business empire.
00:11The moment I signed my inheritance over to my children, they showed their true faces.
00:15They announced that Sofia Caruso's ashes would take my place in the Romano family tomb,
00:20and mine would be ground into dog food.
00:22I choked up blood and collapsed to the floor.
00:25As I lay there dying, I looked up at Dante.
00:27Dante, his eyes were ice cold, full of hatred, and in that moment I understood.
00:32This was his revenge.
00:33Because his first love, Sofia, had died on the day of our wedding, he had always blamed me.
00:38He believed I had arranged the accident from the shadows.
00:41In the end, he watched me die of rage right in front of him, but I woke up again at
00:4520.
00:46Back to the day the Romano family gathered to choose Dante's wife,
00:49the godfather, my adopted father, Don Romano, sat at the far end of the room.
00:53Dante, you're not getting any younger.
00:55It's time to choose your wife.
00:56Tell us, Sofia or Elena.
00:59I'll bet Dante picks Elena.
01:00He's been following her around since they were kids.
01:02In composure and intelligence, I had always been the better choice over Sofia.
01:06That's why I became Dante's wife in my past life.
01:09But in this life, the way Dante looked at me, it wasn't just coldness, it was hatred.
01:14Right then, I knew.
01:15He had been reborn, too.
01:17Since he had already made up his mind about Sofia, fine.
01:20Let them have each other.
01:21All the way to hell.
01:25I stood up.
01:27Don Romano, I know your limits.
01:30I am not worth worthy of Donne.
01:32I'm stepping down.
01:34Dante clearly froze.
01:35But he said nothing, then walked out of the meeting room.
01:39I knew where he was going.
01:40At this point in time, Sofia had not yet died in that car crash.
01:44There was still time.
01:4560 years of marriage, and it had only ever been a joke.
01:48Don Romano's voice came from the far end of the room.
01:51Elena, what did you just say?
01:56Don Romano, since Dante already has someone in his heart, I am withdrawing from this engagement.
02:01They both understood what Dante's sudden exit meant.
02:04I went back to my room and started packing.
02:07The next morning, I opened my phone.
02:09The entire screen was covered with news.
02:13In the photos, Dante held her close, his eyes full of a tenderness I had never once seen directed at
02:19me.
02:19I scrolled past every photo without changing expression.
02:22By noon, voices rose from the courtyard below.
02:25I stood by the window and watched Dante walk Sofia through the estate gates, side by side, as if the
02:31entire estate already belonged to them.
02:34Father, I already said it.
02:35I chose Sofia.
02:36So why is Elena still listed as chief designer?
02:38The jewelry div has always been Elena's responsibility.
02:40She is clean.
02:42If we replace her overnight, the FBI will focus on us again.
02:45I don't care.
02:46I've already made my decision.
02:49Sofia is the future wife of the Romano family.
02:51Are you really going to trust an outsider over your own son's choice?
02:55Romano Jewelry was the family's most important legitimate business, built during their years of going clean.
03:01In my past life, under my management, Romano Jewelry had swallowed three of Europe's oldest jewelry houses.
03:07It was what finally let the Romano group shed the last shadow of the mafia.
03:11Dante knew that better than anyone.
03:14The butler led me to the study.
03:17Don Romano looking older than I remembered.
03:20Elena, there is something I need to discuss with you.
03:24Don Romano, there is no need.
03:26I understand.
03:27He looked up at me, surprise, then turned into deeper and sadder.
03:32He had raised me, protected me, and treated me like his own daughter.
03:35But now even he could not stop the tide.
03:38He was too old to continue running everything himself.
03:41The family needed a successor.
03:43Don Romano let out a long sigh.
03:45The jewelry business has always been yours.
03:47Taking it from you so suddenly is not right.
03:52But you know Dante's temperamented.
03:54He has always been more stubborn than I ever was.
03:57Don Romano, I understand.
03:58Without blame or complaint.
04:00Inside are all the design files and handover documents for the current projects.
04:05The access codes are included.
04:07Dante already knows them.
04:09It was a Romano family heirloom.
04:11It represented the future wife of the family.
04:14I had worn it since I was 18.
04:15In my previous life, it had never once left my wrist.
04:19Don Romano, I am grateful for everything these years have given me.
04:25The study door flew open.
04:27Dante walked in.
04:28Father, is it settled?
04:30With Sofia right behind him.
04:32He came straight to Don Romano's side, without looking at me once.
04:36Elena has already agreed to the handover.
04:38Don Romano pushed the files and the bracelet forward.
04:41Before Dante could even react, Sofia snatched up the bracelet.
04:45Her face lit up with unconcealed triumph.
04:48Wait.
04:50Elena, are you trying to go back on your word?
04:52This contains the core intelligence of the jewelry operation.
04:55It includes confidential agreements with major clients.
04:58It also includes the special terms with several critical suppliers.
05:02Dante took the folder and started flipping through it.
05:05If these details are mishandled, the Romano group could suffer catastrophic losses.
05:10His face grew darker the more he read.
05:12But I'm sure Sofia is more than capable of managing them.
05:15Sofia forces a confident smile.
05:17You worry too much.
05:19I know exactly what I'm doing.
05:21I said nothing more.
05:22Sofia's only real skill was knowing which latest Chanel to charge to a card.
05:27She knew nothing about design, business negotiations, and no idea how to make old money nobles sign with a mafia
05:34family.
05:35Romano jewelry's success was built on every design sketch I drew.
05:40Every negotiation I sat through, not a single step could be skipped.
05:45You may leave.
05:46From today on, the Romano group has nothing to do with you.
05:49Hold on.
05:50I stopped.
05:51Since Elena has lost her place, she's no longer a member of the Romano family, is she?
05:55By the rules?
05:56She shouldn't be taking anything the family gave her.
05:58She should leave with nothing.
06:00Deontay, don't you agree?
06:06I fixed my gaze on Dante.
06:09Is this what you want?
06:10Dante stood there, the color in his face shifting.
06:13His eyes slid away from mine.
06:15Those few seconds of silence said everything.
06:18Enough!
06:19Elena has lived in this house for 20 years.
06:22Even without the title of wife, she is half a Romano!
06:26Father, Sofia's right.
06:27If the decision has been made, it should be made completely.
06:30Clean and final.
06:32I laughed.
06:33Don Romano, since this is Dante's decision, I respect it.
06:37Since we've come this far, some things need to be settled.
06:40I took over Romano jewelry at 18.
06:43From then until now, exactly five years.
06:46Year one, my jewelry designs won the federal annual grand prize.
06:50Revenue, $300 million.
06:52Net profit, $40 million.
06:54Year two, I broke into the European auction circuit.
06:56Revenue, $800 million.
06:59Net profit, $120 million.
07:01Year three, I brought Romano jewelry into the Middle Eastern royal market.
07:05Year four, I got the Romano group onto the legitimate business wealth rankings for the first time ever.
07:11Year five, I helped the family cut its last underground funding chain.
07:16I listed them out.
07:18Over five years, Don Romano's expression grew heavier.
07:21The net profit generated for the Romano family exalted $2 billion.
07:25He knew better than anyone what those numbers meant.
07:30In our previous life, the Romano family rose to the top of the world's elite.
07:35The Romano family raised me for 20 years.
07:38I made this family $2 billion.
07:40That debt is settled today.
07:43We're even.
07:44The Romano family owes me nothing.
07:46I owe the Romano family nothing.
07:49I leave with nothing.
07:51From this day forward, we have no ties.
07:55Pretty words.
07:57But can you really call this leaving with nothing?
07:59This custom gown, at least $100,000, right?
08:03This watch, starting price, $1 million.
08:07And this limited edition Bugatti, over $10 million.
08:09Every single one of these was bought with the Romano family's money, wasn't it?
08:15I let her pull and humiliate me.
08:17My eyes stayed on Dante's face.
08:20Dante, all these years between us, are they really worth nothing at all?
08:24I thought that being reborn would mean I had completely let go.
08:27But in this moment, still so painful, I could barely breathe.
08:30Then, I pushed every feeling down.
08:32Elena!
08:33You don't have to go this far!
08:35Don Romano.
08:37Rules are rules.
08:38Watch, bag, heels, earrings, necklace.
08:41I took each one off, set each one down neatly on the floor.
08:45Finally, I stood barefoot on the cold marble.
08:47When I began to reach for the zipper at the back of my gown,
08:50he finally could not stop himself from looking away.
08:56Enough!
08:57He could not bear it anymore.
08:58Elena, stop.
08:59Please.
09:00I folded the dress carefully.
09:02Then I set it on top of everything else.
09:03From this moment on, I am just myself.
09:06My name is Elena Vazquez.
09:09I am no longer the Romano family's ward.
09:12I walked out through the Romano estate's back entrance in nothing but my underwear.
09:16Outside, a mob of reporters had already gathered.
09:19No one knew when they had arrived.
09:21The moment they saw me and surged forward.
09:23Mrs. Vazquez, how does it feel to be thrown out by the Romanos?
09:26We heard you weren't even allowed to keep your underwear.
09:28Is that true?
09:29The flashbulbs were blinding.
09:31Please move aside.
09:32The crowd burst into laughter.
09:35One reporter at the front deliberately aimed his camera at the most private parts of my body.
09:39His face looked familiar.
09:41I was almost sure I had seen him at one of Sophia's birthday parties.
09:44I shielded myself with my arms and pushed through as fast as I could.
09:48Someone shoved me hard from behind.
09:50My side slammed against a sharp piece of stone.
09:53I forced myself up, running.
09:55The reporters followed me like wolves.
09:57They would not stop.
09:58I turned into a narrow alley and finally lost them.
10:01When I came out the other side, a black Maybach was waiting at the curb.
10:05It blocked my path.
10:06The window lowered.
10:10Mrs. Vazquez, I am Vincent Conti of the Conti family.
10:14He was impossibly handsome.
10:15He shrugged off his jacket over my shoulders.
10:18My grandfather would very much like to meet you.
10:20Would that be alright?
10:23I went still.
10:24Vincent Conti.
10:25The most celebrated heir in the entire New Vance underworld.
10:29The Conti family.
10:30A dynasty so ancient and deep-rooted that in my previous life,
10:34I had spent 10 years fighting for a seat at their table.
10:38And now, they were seeking me out.
10:40It would be my honor.
10:43Dante sat motionless before his phone.
10:46The top trending story was about me.
10:49Disgraceful.
10:50An embarrassment to the city.
10:51Apparently, if it weren't for young Master Romano's mercy,
10:54she wouldn't have kept even the clothes on her back.
10:57Yesterday, she was the Romano Group's chief designer.
11:00Today, she is lower than a beggar.
11:02What a fall.
11:03What is so surprising?
11:04Rich men's pet dogs all end up the same way, sooner or later.
11:08Dante clicked the video.
11:09The image of my bear, stumbling figure made something seize in his chest.
11:14Then the camera swept across my side.
11:16Blood was flowing freely from the wound.
11:18The camera lingered on an old scar across my abdomen.
11:22Dante's finger froze on the screen.
11:27Dante, what are you watching?
11:28Sofia wrapped her arms around him from behind.
11:30I spent a fortune getting 50 media outlets to wait for her.
11:33Worth every cent.
11:37Those reporters?
11:38You arranged that?
11:39Of course.
11:40Now all of Castello City knows exactly what Elena Vasquez is.
11:44No one will have anything to say about your choice anymore.
11:47Dante forced a smile.
11:48Image of my blood-soaked side would not leave him.
11:51Seconds later, he pulled Sofia closer.
11:54What's wrong, Dante?
11:56Wasn't last night enough?
11:57Dante said nothing.
11:58He slowly ran one hand along her waist.
12:00Then they did again.
12:01But this time, Dante merely maintained a mechanical movement,
12:04his gaze fixed on Sofia's abdomen.
12:07Afterward, Sofia still forced out a smile.
12:09Baby, you were amazing.
12:11That's already the third time.
12:14But Dante ignored her.
12:15He pushed her aside.
12:19He opened the video again and looked more carefully at my body.
12:23Sofia noticed his focus and spoke sourly.
12:26What is so fascinating?
12:28Parading around half-dressed in front of that many people.
12:31Shameless.
12:32Lucky she got thrown out when she did.
12:34Otherwise, she would have embarrassed the Romano name for years.
12:38Dante heard none of it.
12:39He was searching for something.
12:40After a moment, he pushed Sofia away.
12:42Then he ran upstairs to my empty bedroom.
12:44He found the storage box.
12:46He went through the photographs.
12:48They were pictures of the three of us from years ago.
12:50A thick album.
12:51I appeared in only one photo.
12:53It had been taken more than ten years ago on the coast, near Castello City.
12:57In the picture, Dante sat on the sand holding Sofia's hand, grinning broadly.
13:02I stood apart at the edge of the frame.
13:04I was holding his swimming ring for him.
13:06I looked like a servant girl who did not belong there.
13:09Out of place in every corner of the image.
13:11But one thing was clear.
13:13Bandages were wrapped around my shoulder and around my abdomen.
13:18Dante went rigid.
13:20Memory crashed over him like cold water.
13:22That summer, he had sneaked to the hill behind the estate to play.
13:25Then, he tumbled down the slope.
13:27His stomach slammed into a jagged rock.
13:29As his vision began to fade, a girl hauled him onto her back.
13:32The path down was rough.
13:34The pain in his belly was unbearable.
13:36Without thinking, he bit into her shoulder.
13:38Her skin split in black.
13:40She did not make a sound.
13:42Instead, she said gently and steadily,
13:44Don't be afraid.
13:45The hospital is almost here.
13:46When Dante woke up, the first face he saw was Sofia's.
13:50The nurse told him a girl had carried him to the hospital in time.
13:53A rock had struck his kidney and caused severe internal bleeding.
13:57That girl had donated one of her own kidneys to save him.
14:00Because of a clotting disorder, she had nearly bled out on the operating table.
14:04Dante had asked Sofia from his hospital bed.
14:06If she had saved him, Sofia went very still for a moment.
14:10But she did not deny it.
14:12Dante knelt motionless in my bedroom.
14:14All the air seemed to leave his body.
14:16Now there was nothing he did not understand.
14:18He had always believed Sofia saved his life.
14:21That was why she held such a special place in his heart.
14:24Why her death had haunted him so deeply.
14:26And all this time, he had been wrong.
14:29Unforgivably wrong.
14:33Dante's legs gave out beneath him.
14:35The album slipped from his hands and hit the floor.
14:38He sank down against the wall.
14:39He whispered to no one.
14:41All along, it had been me.
14:42I was wrong about everything.
14:44That evening, the Romano Villa blazed with light.
14:48Relatives had gathered from every branch of the family.
14:50Their faces were bright with smiles.
14:53Their words were full of praise for Sofia.
14:55Sofia moved through the room like a queen accepting tribute.
14:59Dante walked at her side.
15:00His smile was slightly too careful.
15:02Once everyone was seated, one chair at the table remained empty.
15:06It was my chair.
15:07It had always been mine.
15:09Sofia noticed it immediately.
15:11Her expression turned dark.
15:12She released Dante's arm, walked toward the empty chair.
15:16With one deliberate shove, she sent it crashing to the floor.
15:19She turned on the elderly butler.
15:21What is the meaning of this?
15:23Setting a place for an outsider at a family occasion?
15:26Have you completely lost your mind?
15:28The butler apologized again and again.
15:29Forgive me, Miss Carrozza.
15:31My oversight...
15:34I will remove it immediately.
15:36Silence fell over the dining room.
15:38The relatives glanced at one another.
15:40Some stared into their teacups.
15:42Some adjusted their napkins.
15:44No one dared say a word.
15:46Don Romano frowned.
15:47Donna Romano parts her lips.
15:49Expression conflicted.
15:51Just as the butler moved to take the chair away, Dante stood up.
15:54It's only an extra chair.
15:56Leave it.
15:57His voice carried the full weight of a man used to being obeyed.
16:03Dante, what exactly are you saying?
16:06Sophia whirled toward him.
16:08I'm saying what I said.
16:09He turned to the butler.
16:10Put it back.
16:13We won't have people thinking the Romano family has so little grace.
16:16The butler straightened, gave a respectful nod.
16:18Sophia's face went white, then red.
16:21Her fists tightened at her sides.
16:23In the end, she smothered her anger, pressed a cold smile onto her face.
16:28Dante's right.
16:31I was being too sensitive.
16:33She returned to her seat.
16:35But when no one was watching, her eyes were venomous.
16:39Don Romano gave a small cough.
16:41It's a family gathering.
16:43Everyone relax.
16:45Cheers, everyone.
16:46The sound of glasses clinking temporarily covered the tension in the air.
16:49When dinner began, Sophia picked up a piece of fish, placed it in Dante's bowl.
16:53Dante, you've always loved fish.
16:55Try it.
16:56Dante stared at the fish in his bowl and suddenly thought of Elena.
17:00Every time there was fish, she would pick out every single bone first, then set it in front of him.
17:06But right now, Sophia didn't even know he hated fish bones.
17:09The long table was packed with people, loud and lively on the surface.
17:14But without Elena here, Dante felt a cold loneliness he had never felt before.
17:21He pushed the food around his bowl, then set down his chopsticks.
17:25Everyone take your time.
17:26He pushed back his chair and stood up.
17:28Are you all right?
17:31Just not feeling well.
17:32He didn't bother with her after that.
17:34Turned and left.
17:35On his way upstairs, he passed my room.
17:38Something he could not name pulled him inside.
17:40He walked inside.
17:42The room had been gutted.
17:43Everything that had belonged to me was gone.
17:45It was as if I had never lived there at all.
17:48Dante felt a chill run through his entire body.
17:51A second later, fury exploded in his chest.
17:54He stormed back downstairs.
17:55In front of every family member he demanded, the laughter in the dining room cut off instantly.
18:00Who touched Elena's room?
18:03The old butler glanced at Sophia.
18:06Young master, it was Miss Caruso who gave the order this afternoon.
18:11Sophia set down her utensils.
18:13Dante, why get so worked up over something so small?
18:17Elena said herself she was leaving with nothing.
18:20She has no use for that old junk.
18:21So I had it all packed up and sent to the scrapyard.
18:25The scrapyard?
18:26Dante's voice shot up.
18:28His eyes instantly turned red.
18:30Sophia finally sensed something was wrong.
18:32But she still couldn't be bothered to care.
18:34It's just old clothes, old books, and old photos.
18:38She didn't even want them.
18:40Why let them take up space?
18:41Dante's chest heaved violently.
18:43His vision blurred at the edges.
18:45That so-called old junk included the photo album Elena had kept for years.
18:50The birthday gifts she had made for him with her own hands.
18:54The shells and leaves they had collected together as children.
18:58Twenty years of memory.
18:59Thrown into the garbage by Sophia without a second thought.
19:02He stared at Sophia and nearly shouted.
19:07Who gave you the right?
19:09That was her room, her things.
19:10What made you think you could touch them?
19:12The entire dining room went dead silent.
19:15Everyone was stunned by Dante's sudden outburst.
19:23Dante, today's the day I become a Romano wife and you're raising your voice at me over
19:27some outsider?
19:28Is that really appropriate?
19:30Outsider?
19:31Dante let out a cold laugh.
19:32Elena has lived in this house for twenty years.
19:35Who dares call her an outsider?
19:38The words hit Sophia across the face.
19:40All her smug satisfaction vanished.
19:42Her voice turned icy.
19:43Have you forgotten Dante?
19:45Who chose me instead of her?
19:47Who personally told her to walk out with nothing?
19:51And now what exactly are you trying to do?
19:54Don Romano and Donna Romano hurried to smooth things over.
19:57Sophia's words drove into him like a blade.
19:59She was right.
20:00He was the one who drove me away.
20:02He was the one who let the reporter surround me.
20:05He was the one who stood silent while I was humiliated.
20:08He was the one who did nothing while I was pushed into the street with almost nothing.
20:13He had turned me into a laughing stock before the entire city.
20:17Where are they now?
20:18Dante's eyes fixed on the butler.
20:20They should still be at the South District Waste Collection Yard.
20:22Dante headed straight for the door.
20:23Dante!
20:24Have you lost your mind?
20:25You're walking out on me?
20:27For a pile of Elena's junk?
20:29It's a joke.
20:30Dante wrenched his arm free.
20:33Those things are not junk.
20:35The fury in his eyes was something no one had ever seen before.
20:39He couldn't get the rest of the words out.
20:41Sophia's face twisted with fury.
20:42If you walk through that door tonight, don't blame me for...
20:45For what?
20:46Dante cuts her off.
20:47Turning me out the way you turned out Elena?
20:53Cold sweat broke out across her skin.
20:56She was nothing but the Romano family's ward.
20:58Everything she had came from this mafia family.
21:01Never mind throwing Dante out.
21:02Her very life was in his hands.
21:04She forced out a smile.
21:06I'm sorry Dante, I was wrong.
21:08I shouldn't have touched Elena's things without asking.
21:11And I shouldn't have raised my voice at you.
21:13It's pouring rain outside right now.
21:14Wait until tomorrow when it clears up.
21:16I'll go with you to get everything back, okay?
21:18Dante broke free and ran out into the rain.
21:21The rain instantly soaked through his suit and hair.
21:24He didn't care.
21:25His heart was slamming inside his chest.
21:27One voice kept echoing through his head.
21:29It's all too late.
21:31He pulled out his phone.
21:32He wanted to call Elena, but his fingers froze in midair because he suddenly remembered.
21:37When Elena left the Romano estate yesterday, she had left her phone behind.
21:41He saw in his mind the calm look in her eyes as she walked away.
21:44The finality of how she removed each thing from her body.
21:48Face by piece, Elena, rain and tears mixed together, running down Dante's face.
21:53At the city's south scrapyard, workers were about to lock up for the night.
21:57Then they saw a man, soaking wet.
21:59The things that were brought from the Romano estate this afternoon?
22:01Stumble in at a run.
22:03Dante was gasping for breath.
22:05Water dripped from the ends of his hair.
22:06Where are they?
22:09The workers looked at each other, then pointed toward several large cardboard boxes in the corner.
22:14Soaked, dirty.
22:15Dante threw himself at them.
22:16With clumsy, frantic hands, he tore the boxes open.
22:20Elena's clothes, books, photo album.
22:22All of it soaked in rainwater.
22:24Ink bleeding and spreading.
22:26Photos stuck together.
22:27He picked up a soaked diary with trembling hands and carefully opened it.
22:34Elena's neat handwriting had blurred, but a few lines were still readable.
22:38Today, Dante cried again.
22:40Sophia forgot his birthday.
22:41I baked his favorite cake, but he didn't touch a single piece.
22:45Another page.
22:46Dante had a fever, 59 degrees.
22:48I sat with him through the night.
22:50By sunrise, the fever had broken.
22:52Sophia came at noon.
22:54Just a bouquet of flowers.
22:55But Dante was so happy when he saw her.
22:57Every page was about him.
22:59Every line was soaked through with a love.
23:01I had never once said aloud.
23:03Dante's vision blurred.
23:05He pressed the diary against his chest.
23:07He held it as if holding it tightly enough could change something.
23:10Hey, sir.
23:11We're about to lock up.
23:13One of the workers gave a careful reminder.
23:15Dante did not hear him.
23:16He kept searching through the boxes.
23:18His fingers closed around a handmade music box.
23:21He knew this music box.
23:23He had been 16.
23:24He had once casually mentioned wanting a snow globe music box.
23:28He had not even meant it as a real request.
23:31But one month later, on his birthday, I placed it in his hands.
23:35He had only glanced at it.
23:36Oh, sure.
23:37Just set it down somewhere.
23:39Then he turned to open Sophia's gift.
23:41He never noticed the cuts and calluses covering my hands.
23:45Not once.
23:46Dante's grip on the music box tightened.
23:48Dante's face crumples, mouth opening in a broken cry.
23:52He pulled out his phone.
23:54Father, help me find Elena.
23:56Bring her home.
23:58Please, I'm begging you.
24:01The day after meeting the Conti Patriarch, I followed them to New Vance.
24:06Old man Conti stood before the soaring glass towers of the Conti headquarters.
24:10He smiled like a man who had nothing left to prove.
24:13Elena, from this day forward, you are the Conti Group's chief designer to make sure you
24:17can do what needs to be done.
24:19And so no one in this building has the nerve to question you.
24:22I put Vincent at your service as your personal assistant.
24:25Whatever you need, tell him.
24:26He'll see to it.
24:28I believe in what you can do.
24:29Give it everything you've got.
24:31As for the Romanos, leave that entirely to me.
24:35I glanced back at Vincent Conti.
24:37Three years passed like water.
24:39At the gala celebrating the Conti Group's overseas listing, the ballroom shone like a dream.
24:44It was the night of the New York Stock Exchange bell.
24:47Crystal chandeliers turned the entire room golden.
24:51I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
24:53Outside, the Manhattan skyline glittered.
24:55Elena, a coin for your thoughts?
24:58Nothing really.
24:59It just doesn't quite feel real yet.
25:02I never imagined the Conti Group would come this far in only three years.
25:05That's because you were here.
25:07The Conti name opened the door.
25:08Your boldness kept us there.
25:10I was just the finishing touch.
25:12You're always so modest.
25:14Tonight, I don't want to hear the official version.
25:16Vincent steps closer, tone gentle.
25:19My heart gave a small, uncertain beat.
25:21There was nowhere to look that was not him.
25:23Elena, tonight is only the beginning of what comes next.
25:27In the road ahead, I want to walk it with you.
25:29Not as partners, as something more.
25:33I stopped him.
25:34Vincent, you know what I've come from.
25:36I know.
25:37And why should that change anything?
25:39You deserve to be loved honestly.
25:41And I will be that person.
25:44Others didn't see what was in front of them.
25:46But I will never make that mistake.
25:48The noise of the gala seemed to fade away.
25:50Only his breathing remained close beside me.
25:53I stayed quiet for a long time.
25:54I'm not sure I can still believe in love.
25:56My voice was tired to the bone.
25:58Then believe in me.
26:00His hand closed around mine.
26:03It was warm.
26:04I looked at him for a long moment.
26:06Then I nodded.
26:07My ears turned hot.
26:08I did not pull away.
26:10Alright.
26:11When we returned to New Vance,
26:12our relationship became an open secret.
26:15Then it became an open fact.
26:16Old man Conti made no effort to hide his approval.
26:19He steadily drew me into the deeper currents of family affairs.
26:23Season by season, the company grew stronger.
26:25Vincent was always beside me.
26:27The Thanksgiving day arrived.
26:29That day, the Conti Group officially announced our engagement.
26:32Within an hour, it reached the top of every platform.
26:36The Romano family's discarded ward is marrying the Conti heir?
26:40Discarded ward?
26:41She's been chief designer of the Conti Group for three years.
26:44Only in this story, she walked out of the Romano estate in her underwear.
26:49I still remember that video.
26:50I wonder how the Romanos feel watching this.
26:53They must be sick with regret.
26:55They handed their chief designer straight to the competition.
26:58Good.
26:59They threw away the person who built everything they had.
27:02On the morning of the wedding, my car drove toward the ceremony venue.
27:06I sat inside in my wedding gown.
27:08Then a man stepped directly into the road ahead of us.
27:11The bodyguards moved to remove him.
27:12The man was Dante Romano.
27:17Three years had passed, but he looked as if ten years had gone by.
27:20He stood there for a few seconds, without speaking.
27:23I just wanted to talk to you, properly.
27:25Would that be possible?
27:27When he finally found his voice...
27:29There's no need.
27:29...it was frayed at the edges.
27:32Whatever happened between us, I made my peace with it a long time ago.
27:36But I haven't.
27:37Elena, I know I was wrong.
27:39I know it completely.
27:41And I've known it for three years.
27:43I have been trying to reach you this entire time.
27:45But the Conti family blocked everything.
27:48I didn't even know you were in Nuvat until yesterday.
27:50And Sofia, she was not who I thought she was.
27:53She deceived me.
27:54She deceived all of us.
27:55The Romano jewelry operation is in ruin because of her.
27:59The company is in chaos.
28:01My father is in the hospital.
28:02I closed my eyes.
28:04I let it settle.
28:05Then it became still.
28:06None of that concerns me.
28:07His voice cracked completely.
28:09Please!
28:10Just give me one chance to apologize.
28:13That is all I'm asking.
28:15Dante.
28:17In our last life, you and I already settled all accounts.
28:20Dante's face changed instantly.
28:21So you also...
28:22I raised the window.
28:23Go.
28:23Dante lunged after it, but he could not catch up.
28:26When I arrived at the ceremony, Vincent saw something in my face immediately.
28:30He slipped one arm around my waist.
28:32What happened?
28:32I took his hand.
28:33Nothing.
28:34I ran into someone who does not matter anymore.
28:37Do you need me to deal with it?
28:39I already have.
28:40A notification lit up my phone.
28:42Castello City, breaking news.
28:44Romano Group was in free fall.
28:46Its credit lines had been severed.
28:48It was facing collapse.
28:49Sofia Caruso had fled with a massive embezzlement.
28:52She had been arrested at the border.
28:54At minimum, she was facing life in prison.
28:56I read the headline once, then I placed the phone face down.
29:00Some things resolve themselves without any help at all.
29:05The wedding began.
29:06Vincent offered me his hand.
29:08Together, we walked toward the altar, step by step.
29:11Just as we were about to exchange rings, I saw a figure at the edge of my vision.
29:15He was standing far outside the venue entrance.
29:18Vincent seemed to feel where I was looking.
29:20He followed my line of sight.
29:21Then the corner of his mouth curved, calm and knowing.
29:24He leaned close to me.
29:26Then he whispered,
29:27Elena,
29:27barely above a breath.
29:28Do you regret stepping aside at the Romano selection?
29:31I did not answer with words.
29:32I stood on my toes.
29:34Then I kissed him.
29:35The hall erupted into warm applause.
29:37Celebration flooded the room.
29:39When I opened my eyes and looked toward the entrance again,
29:42the familiar figure was gone.
29:44The wedding went on.
29:45Ceremony continuing.
29:46Officiants smiling.
29:47Rings gleaming.
29:48Full.
29:49Bright.
29:49Loud.
29:50But beneath all of it,
29:51a quieter feeling settled inside me.
29:53Dante's appearance felt like a soundless farewell.
29:55Perhaps it was one last glance at a life that no longer belonged to me.
29:59The road ahead is long.
30:00Walk it with me.
30:01He held my hand tighter.
30:02Yes.
30:03I had no regrets.
30:05I looked at him and smiled.
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