- 4 hours ago
I Helped My Husband'S Brother Take The Mafia Throne Hd
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Kassian lay on the brink of death following a hit by a rival syndicate. On his deathbed, surrounded by the
00:06family's kapos, he made his final will, whichever of his two sons made it to the hospital first, and slipped
00:12the black onyx ring onto his finger would inherit the multi-billion dollar mafia empire.
00:16As the eldest son Kassian was only a 30 minute drive away, the throne was practically handed to him, instead
00:23he chose to throw a lavish birthday party for his precious sweetheart Julia on a private yacht, she told him
00:28she wanted no interruptions, so he shut off his phone.
00:31In my previous life, I took a speedboat, stormed the yacht with a crew, and dragged him back to the
00:36hospital by force, securing his seat as the dom, but because he left her midway, Julia stood on the deck
00:42crying all night, caught a nasty fever, and threatened to break up with him when she woke up.
00:46Wants in power, Kassian was driven mad by guilt. He called me a cold-blooded heartless bitch, had my feet
00:52set in concrete, and threw me off the Brooklyn Bridge. When I opened my eyes, I was back in that
00:56hospital, with the family lawyer desperately urging me to make the call. I looked down at my phone. On Instagram,
01:02Kassian had just posted. I calmly double-tapped the screen to like his post. Then, I sent a text to
01:08my exiled brother-in-law, Mateo.
01:31I masked the cold hatred in my eyes, in front of a room full of capos and doctors. I dialed
01:36Kassian's number. It rang for a long, long time.
01:39Just as the lawyer started sweating, the call finally connected.
01:42Valerie, are you out of your mind? How many times do I have to tell you? It is Julia's birthday,
01:47and I am staying with her!
01:48Your father was shot. They are trying to save him in the hospital.
01:52Kassian, are you going to leave me again?
01:54Valerie, it is my birthday. I just want him for one night. You really don't need to make up such
01:58twisted lies.
02:00Do I have to get on my knees and beg you to let him stay a little longer?
02:03Don't be scared, Julia. I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere.
02:09Did you hear that? It is just one night. Can you drop the jealous wife routine for one-
02:13Hearing this, the lawyer's veins popped on his forehead. He snatched the phone.
02:17Kassian, it is the family lawyer. Valerie is not lying.
02:20The Don was actually hit. He is in the hospital right now. You need to get here in 30 minutes,
02:27because the Don said-
02:32Oh, the family lawyer, huh?
02:34An arrogant male voice suddenly cut in. It was Jax, Kassian's lackey and Julia's younger brother.
02:40Jax laughed mockingly through the speaker.
02:42Valerie, you really pulled out all the stops today, hiring actors and everything.
02:46Too bad you miscalculated.
02:48I got a buddy on the payroll in that precinct. He said the streets are dead quiet tonight.
02:53No hits, no nothing. Valerie is just a jealous bitch paying actors to put on a show,
02:58so you will go crawling back to her.
02:59Valerie, using my father's life for a cheap stunt, you disgust me.
03:08Is this the eldest son? How could he be this stupid?
03:13Valerie, you fucking curse!
03:18In my past life, I was too panicked to react and took the hit.
03:21This time, I was ready. I sneered and took a step back.
03:27Where is he? Where is Cassian?
03:30If Cassius doesn't make it back, if the family falls into someone else's hands,
03:35I will sell you to the brothels myself!
03:39Useless trash! You can't even get your own man to come back!
03:43If Cassian loses his inheritance, we will skin you alive!
03:51I knew why they were losing their minds.
03:54Carmela wasn't the Don's legal wife.
03:56She started out as a stripper and used her pregnancy to climb the ladder,
03:59giving birth to his firstborn, Cassian.
04:02Years ago, when the Don's actual wife was heavily pregnant,
04:05Carmela showed up at the estate with her baby, spitting such vicious insults
04:09that the wife went into premature labor and bled to death on the operating table.
04:13The legitimate son, Matteo, who was born without a mother,
04:16was treated like a thorn in their side.
04:18Cassian and Carmela abused him, beat him,
04:20and eventually found an excuse to exile him to Sicily,
04:23keeping him far away from the family's core business.
04:25Though the Don let Carmela live in the manor,
04:27he always thought she was too low-class to actually marry.
04:30That meant if the Don died and Cassian didn't take the throne,
04:33family rules dictated Carmela would be thrown out on the streets.
04:36If she goes down, her crew goes down with her.
04:39That is why they're all looking sick with worry.
04:42Are you deaf? Call his lackey! Tell him to drag Cassian here right now!
04:47I looked at her coldly, didn't argue, and obediently dialed Jax's number.
04:50Valerie, are you physically incapable of taking a hint?
04:53Can't you give it a rest? Stop clinging to the boss like a desperate loser.
04:57Honestly, if you were my woman, I would tie you up and beat some sense into you first.
05:01Women need to learn to shut up and stay out of family business.
05:04His blatant disrespect left everyone in the room stunned.
05:08Jax, I don't care if you believe me. The Don is fading fast.
05:12He gave his word between Cassian and Mateo.
05:16Whoever puts on the ring first gets the Empire.
05:20A sudden, eerie silence fell over the line.
05:22Jax's tone shifted, sounding hesitant.
05:25Are you serious?
05:30It is true. It is true. I am Cassian's mother.
05:34You need to tell him to come back. There's a back. It's about the inheritance.
05:37Jax said slowly.
05:39Well, if it's true, I'll go tell the boss right now.
05:41Carmela let out a huge breath of relief.
05:44As long as Cassian gets back.
05:46A burst of hysterical laughter erupted from the phone.
05:48Jax sounded like he just heard the funniest joke in the world.
05:50Jesus Christ. Valerie, you really don't know when to quit, do you?
05:53I already busted your little scam and you are still bringing the actors back for a second act?
05:57Let me tell you something. The boss said even if the FBI raids this boat tonight,
06:00nobody is ruining his alone time with my sister.
06:03Your little mind games are useless. If you know what's good for you, get lost.
06:07The boss is filing for divorce tomorrow.
06:09He is only going to love my sister for the rest of his life.
06:12And I am going to be the Don's brother-in-law.
06:15As for you, get ready to pack your bags and go beg on the streets.
06:20The call hung up mercilessly, slowly turning into sheer horror.
06:24I made my eyes well up with tears, looking extremely wrong.
06:27I had been married to Cassian for three years to secure his position in the family.
06:31I spent countless sleepless nights cooking, hiding his dirty money, and cleaning up his messes.
06:36And what did he do? He took the money I made him and bought a $10 million yacht for Julia.
06:41Valerie, you already have the title of the Russo family's wife.
06:46Julia has nothing. What is wrong with spending some money to make it up to her?
06:50He even had the nerve to tell me.
06:53All men stray. As long as he comes home to you, why do you care how many girls he keeps
06:58on the side?
06:59Yeah, exactly. So tonight, let Cassian be with the woman he truly loves.
07:05As for the Godfather's seat, you can kiss it goodbye.
07:12A mess of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. A group of capos loyal to Cassian burst into the room.
07:18Where is he? Why isn't he here yet?
07:21It is her fault. Valerie is useless. She couldn't even get him on the phone.
07:27The elders were furious. They grabbed a thick stack.
07:30What the hell are you good for, Valerie? We bet everything on Cassian.
07:34If he misses out of the ring tonight, we all go down with him.
07:37You stupid, useless bitch!
07:40Before I could say a word, the heart monitor suddenly started blaring a warning alarm.
07:46The private physician rushed over to check. A moment later, he gave a slight shake of his head.
07:50Gentlemen, the dawn has 40 minutes at most. You need to figure this out fast.
07:5540 minutes. Honestly. If Cassian just checked his social media or picked up the phone,
08:01a 30-minute drive from the docks was more than enough time. Hope reignited in Carmela's eyes.
08:06Her hands shook as she dialed his number.
08:09Cassian, please pick up your mother's call.
08:14The yacht was anchored just off the coast. Julia straddled Cassian's lap.
08:19She complained about the ringing phone killing the mood.
08:21That ringing is giving me a headache. Cassian, just turn it off or throw it in the ocean.
08:29Tonight is my birthday. She lowered her eyelashes.
08:32You can only have me in your world. You can only look at me. Can you do that for me?
08:38Cassian hesitated for a second, Valerie's words flashing through his mind. But looking at Julia's
08:43lustful, dependent eyes, any doubt he had vanished. The old man was tough as nails. He wouldn't just
08:49drop dead. Alright. As long as my queen is happy even if the sky falls, you are the only thing
08:55I care
08:55about. Cassian kissed her hard then, without a second thought, tossed both phones into the dark sea.
09:05Sorry. The number you have reached is unavailable.
09:09Carmela must have called 20 times.
09:13Her men tried to comfort her.
09:15Donna Carmela, don't panic. Even if Cassian doesn't make it, it is fine. That bastard
09:19Matteo is still in Sicily, right? A flight from there takes over 10 hours. He will never make it.
09:24Hearing this, Carmela let out a breath she was holding.
09:28But then one of their spies rushed into the room.
09:30Ma'am, bosses. Someone said they saw Matteo's crew a few blocks away. He is almost here.
09:37Impossible. He is in Sicily. How could he be back so fast?
09:40I stood quietly by the edge of the room, feeling a dark sense of satisfaction. Actually, Matteo had
09:46secretly returned to New York days ago to handle some family business. In my previous life, Carmela
09:51blocked all information from reaching him so he wouldn't compete for power.
09:54Never let Matteo snow.
09:55By the time Matteo found out and rushed over, he was 30 minutes too late. But this time,
10:01the moment I opened my eyes, I sent the news straight to him.
10:04The docks. Go to the docks. You useless trash. Come with me. We are bringing him back.
10:11Carmela completely lost it. I let her drag me into the car, because I knew exactly how obsessed Cassian
10:17was with Julia. He had locked down that yacht for their alone time. Even if Carmela went herself,
10:22it wouldn't change a damn thing.
10:30When we got to the pier, Carmela and her heavily armed thugs rushed the entrance like maniacs,
10:35but a dozen guards armed with assault rifles blocked the gate. Standing front and center was
10:40Jax, looking as smug as ever. Are you blind? The boss locked down the pier tonight. Not even a fly
10:45gets in.
10:46I am his mother. Let me in. Tell Cass that Matteo's about to steal his throne.
10:51Lost her balance and crashed hard onto the concrete. Listen here, old lady. You guys are
10:56really addicted to this acting gig, huh? First Valerie gets someone to fake being a lawyer and
11:02a mom over the phone, and now you show up trying to play the victim? You people will stoop to
11:06anything
11:07to ruin his night with my sister. The boss gave a direct order. Even if his own mother shows up,
11:13she can wait outside. Carmela was shaking violently, choking on her own fury. She ordered
11:18her men to break through, but after a brief, bloody scuffle, they were beaten back, heads bleeding.
11:23Utterly desperate, Carmela screamed, cursed, and clawed at the heavy iron gates. Finally,
11:29her knees gave out. She literally dropped to her knees in front of Jax, bowing her head against the dirt.
11:35I beg you, let me in to see him. If we are too late, everything is gone.
11:45Leaning against the car door watching this circus, I couldn't stop the corner of my lips from curving
11:50up. At that exact moment back in the hospital, dozens of eyes were glued to the heart monitor
11:55as the jagged lines grew flatter and flatter. Then, the hallway fell dead silent. A tall,
12:00imposing figure in a black trench coat stepped over the threshold. The moment his heavy boots halted,
12:06the red line on the monitor flatlined completely.
12:15The family lawyer took a deep breath. Facing the elders, his voice rang out solemn and clear.
12:20According to the final will and testament, Mr. Mateo arrived at the final moment. From this second on,
12:25Mr. Mateo is the undisputed don of the Russo family. No matter how furious Cassian's supporters were,
12:32no one dared to say a word. Mateo slipped the black onyx ring onto his finger. One by one,
12:37every capo in the room bowed their heads in submission.
12:41When the voice note from my informant played through my phone, Carmela's eyes rolled back,
12:46and she fainted cold on the damp concrete. Meanwhile, out on the yacht, the two of them were
12:51still tangled in the sheets. Julia curled up against Cassian's bare chest, her skin still flushed and
12:57damp. Cassian, this is the best day of my life. Thank you for risking everything for me. Promise me
13:03you'll always be this good to me. Of course, just wait. Someday I'm gonna get rid of Valera and make
13:08you my real wife. The yacht was nearing the docks. Cassian glanced up. Waiting for them on the pier was
13:16a
13:16sea of dark suits, and the blood instantly drained from his face. Cassian marched over,
13:22his eyes full of contempt. Valerie, you are like a ghost that won't go away! What kind of stun is
13:27this?
13:29Bringing in a bunch of crazy bitches here to cry and make a scene? You think making yourself look
13:32pitiful is gonna make me look at you? He noticed the unconscious woman on the ground and the bleeding
13:37thugs. But he was so blinded by annoyance, he didn't even recognize his own mother. Boss, don't worry.
13:43I kept all these troublemanters out. Not a single fly got in to ruin your romantic night with my sister.
13:49Valerie, if you keep acting like a psycho, we are filing for divorce tomorrow. For three years,
13:54you have paraded around acting like the queen of the Russo family, but in bed you are as boring
13:57as a piece of wood. I'm sick of you. Believe me, with one word, I can have you thrown out
14:01of this
14:01family with nothing. Valerie, I actually feel sorry for you. You married Cassian for money and power,
14:07but your heart is full of schemes. You can't offer him anything real. Cassian doesn't need power.
14:14He needs true love. Why put yourself through this? Fine. You two go love each other forever.
14:27Stop!
14:44Matei? What are you doing here? Hey, where are you going? Get back here right now!
14:48Suddenly, a sharp, echoing slap rang out. Carmela, who had just woken up from the cold ground,
14:54summoned a terrifying amount of strength and backhanded Julia right across her delicate face.
14:59Julia screamed and collapsed, half of her face instantly swelling up.
15:03Mom? Mom? What are you doing here? Why are you acting crazy with Valerie? Why did you hit Julia?
15:11Hit her? I will skin the bitch alive! Open your damn eyes and look! Look at what your stupidity just
15:18cost us for this little slit! Frowning with extreme irritation, Cassian grabbed the phone.
15:24On the screen was the breaking news alert flashing across every major network. Russo family Don
15:30assassinated. Second son Mateo arrives at last minute to inherit empire. A new godfather rises. Right below the
15:37headline was a high definition video of the lawyer's announcement. According to the final
15:42will and testimate, Mr. Mateo arrived at the final moment. Mr. Mateo is the undisputed Don of the Russo
15:48family. In the video, Mateo, dressed in a sharp black suit, stood by the Don's bed and slipped the
15:54black onyx ring onto his finger. Cassian's pupils shrank to pinpricks. He stared at the screen, his
16:00fingers starting to tremble uncontrollably. No, no, this is impossible. How could father be assassinated?
16:12This is fake! Valerie, you doctored this video, didn't you? I stood perfectly still, a mocking smile
16:20touching my lips. Cassian, why don't you call your capos and find out if it's fake or not? Phone, phone,
16:26give me the phone right now. The second the screen lit up, hundreds of missed calls and thousands of
16:32texts flooded in like death warrants. Moss, where are you? If you don't come back right now, Mateo is
16:36taking everything. Cassian looked like he had been struck by lightning. His knees went weak and he nearly
16:41dropped to the ground. Carmela suddenly lunged at Julia. You brainless hort. It is all because of you.
16:48A fucking birthday party. If it wasn't for you, Cassian would have made it to the hospital.
16:53You ruined the rest of my life, you dirty whore! Julia screamed in agony, her perfect makeup smeared
16:59with tears as she struggled. Cassian! Help me, Cassian! Sister! But the family elders behind Carmela,
17:10already driven insane by losing their power-tackled jacks to the ground and beat the living hell out of
17:15him. You're the one who blocked the gate. I will put a bullet in you myself. The peer devolved into
17:21absolute
17:22chaos. Screams from Julia and Jacks rang out everywhere. Cassian finally snapped out of his
17:29shock. Enough! Stop! Get off her! Don't touch Julia! Carmela was already old. When Cassian yanked her
17:35off Julia, she lost her balance and crashed heavily onto the deck. Dead, dead silence. Everyone stared at
17:45Cassian in absolute disbelief. Are you insane? You hit your own mother for this slut? How did I give
17:53birth to such a stupid son? Cassian wrapped his arms around a shivering Julia. If I lost my territory,
18:00I will take it back! As long as I breathe, I will build my way back to the top. But
18:04if any of you touch
18:05one hair on Julia's head, I will kill you. He scooped Julia up, bolted into his sports car like he
18:11was
18:11running for his life, and sped off. Watching these rabid dogs tear each other apart, my smile grew wider.
18:17Is that so? Let's see how you rise back to the top. An hour later, Cassian took Julia to the
18:23hospital to
18:23get patched up, then drove back to the Russo family manor. The moment he walked through the doors,
18:30he started barking orders. Out on the front lawn, all his custom suits, luxury watches,
18:47and personal belongings were piled up like garbage. I was sitting elegantly on the sofa,
18:53slowly sipping champagne, and sitting right beside me was Mateo.
19:02Valerie, Mateo, you have some nerve! You bastard, you dare step foot in my house? The Russo family
19:08isn't yours. I am the eldest son, and this empire belongs to me. Take this toxic bitch and get out
19:13of my house! He instinctively reached for the gun at his waist, but Mateo's bodyguards moved in a flash,
19:18kicking him hard in the chest and dropping him to the floor. Who do you think runs the Russo family
19:24now?
19:24I sneered, stood up, and threw a divorce agreement and a thick stack of bank statements right in his face.
19:30Sign the divorce papers, and look at those statements. Over the last three years,
19:34you immeasable family funds to buy yachts and diamonds for Julia, 30 million dollars in total.
19:38Mateo swirled his whiskey glass, a dangerous smirk on his lips.
19:41Big brother, I run the finances now,
19:43and I have audited the books. You either pay back the money, or I handle this the traditional mafia way.
19:50And you pay with a pound of flesh.
19:56Valor, you think slapping a 30 million dollar debt on me is going to make me beg? You think throwing
20:00me out will make me leave Julia and come crawling back to you? You miscalculated. Even if you do all
20:05this, I'll never choose you. As long as I have Julia by my side, I will build my own empire
20:09from the
20:10ground up. I will wait for the day you come begging me on your knees. Come on, Julia, we are
20:14leaving.
20:14Watching his dramatic exit, I almost laughed out loud. Build his own empire from the ground up. He was
20:20nothing without the Russo name, and soon enough he'd learn a hard truth. Empires don't rise from
20:25nothing, and gold diggers don't stay for love. One month later, inside a hot, humid, run-down motel with
20:35water dripping from the ceiling. It was the exact opposite of the luxurious Russo estate. Cassian,
20:41are you entirely useless? Julia's hair was a mess. She pointed right at Cassian's nose,
20:49screaming. That sweet, gentle face of hers was now twisted with rage. You can't even buy me a decent
20:55dress! Some boss you are! Ever since Cassian was thrown out, all his bank accounts had been frozen
21:01to pay off his debt. All of Julia's limited edition bags and diamonds had been confiscated and liquidated.
21:07used to a life of extreme luxury, Julia's true colors finally bled through. Cassian stepped forward
21:13humbly, trying to hold her hand.
21:15Julia, please don't be mad. I have already reached out to a few guys who used to follow me. Once
21:24I find-
21:25find what? What the hell can your pocket change do? You can't even buy me a purse! How can you
21:35say you
21:36love me? Weren't you the big boss? Julia. A flash of genuine hurt crossed Cassian's eyes. You weren't like
21:43this before. You told me as long as we have love, you wouldn't care even if the sky fell. Julia
21:49looked
21:49at him with pure disgust. Without money, your love is worthless. Just then, with a loud bang, the motel
21:56door was kicked open. Jack stumbled inside, covered in blood. Sis! Save me, Sis! I owe the casino! They said
22:07if
22:07I don't pay up, I don't pay up today. They are chopping off my hands in- Are you deaf?
22:13They are going to
22:14maim my brother! Pay them! Julius screamed in terror, shoving Cassian forward. I- Cassian went pale. I don't
22:23have any money left. Jax's eyes were wild. He dropped to the floor, hugging Cassian's leg and shaking him
22:28violently. Cassian, go beg Valerie! She used to love you so much, she did whatever you said! Get on your
22:38knees and beg her for the money! Cassian flinched like he had been hit with a bat. He stared at
22:42Julia,
22:43his lips trembling. Julia, do you think I should do that too?
22:50Well, you're useless right now anyway. Julia avoided his eyes, her face filled with revulsion.
22:55If you can scam some money out of her, do it. You can't just let my brother get crippled.
23:00Cassian completely broke down. He couldn't accept that his precious first love was really
23:05like this. He held his head in his hands, trying to hypnotize himself. She is just tired. She still
23:11loves me. She is just scared. But reality shattered his last layer of delusion the very next day.
23:18Julia went straight to Mateo, sitting on a massive leather sofa. Mateo casually spun a pistol in his
23:24hand. Julia was heavily dressed up. She wore a tight, short dress, deliberately pulling down the
23:29collar to expose her collarbones. Her eyes were red as she spoke in a choked, breathy voice.
23:38Dawn, to be honest, I never liked Cassian's brutality from the start. Julia took a step closer,
23:46leaning her upper body over his mahogany desk, her voice dripping with seduction.
23:50He made me. He used his status to force me to stay with him. But in my heart, I have
23:56always admired
23:57men like you. Real men. Men with real power and ambition. A mocking gleam flashed in Mateo's eyes.
24:05Is that so? He forced you? Seeing Mateo hadn't kicked her out, Julia was thrilled.
24:11She even dropped to her knees, pressing herself against his leg. It is true. Cassian is nothing.
24:19He is a brainless coward. I never loved him. As long as you let me stay by your side,
24:27I will do anything you want. A roar of utter disbelief and raw fury echoed from the doorway. Cassian
24:41stared dead-eyed at Julia, who was kneeling on the floor, her dress half off, offering herself to
24:46Mateo. You treacherous whore! He charged forward like a madman, wrapping his hands around Julia's throat
24:52and slamming her heart into the floor. I threw away my title as godfather for you!
24:58I abandoned my own mother for you! And you dare betray me? I will kill you!
25:04Julia screamed in terror, desperately slapping his arms, her eyes rolling into the back of her head.
25:09Cassian probably didn't realize that if Mateo hadn't explicitly ordered the downstairs guards to
25:14let him through, he wouldn't have even made it into the lobby. How could we throw a play without the
25:19lead actor? I stepped out from behind the concealed door, looking down at them from above. Traded a
25:24billion-dollar mafia empire for a woman like this. Your true love sure didn't come cheap, Cassian.
25:30That broke him. Hearing my voice, Cassian snapped his head up. Then, he suddenly started laughing like
25:35a complete psychopath. He was choking Julia, laughing out loud while massive tears rolled down his face.
25:41I was wrong! I was so fucking wrong!
25:44This circus ended with Mateo's bodyguards dragging them both out. Cassian's face was twisted with mania.
25:50I recognized that look, it was the exact same one he'd had before he killed me in my past life.
25:55Have your guys keep an eye on him. He's about to go completely insane.
25:58Don't worry. This time around, I'm not letting anyone hurt you.
26:06When I received the video from my private investigator, I was standing by the floor-to-ceiling
26:11windows holding a glass of red wine. The video showed an abandoned, rotting pier on the outskirts
26:16of Brooklyn. Cassian was drenched in rain, his eyes bloodshot. He had pawned his last pistol to hire a
26:22shady van, kidnapping both Julia and Jax. Fierce winds whipped the freezing ocean water against the rocks.
26:28Julia's hands and feet were bound with thick rope. Her face was twisted in sheer horror.
26:33Cassian! Cassian, I'm sorry! I really am! Please don't kill me! Let's start over, okay?
26:42I don't want any jewelry or money anymore! I only love you! I am so cold! My head hurts so
26:51much, Cassian!
26:52I have a fever! You used to care about me!
26:55She was using her usual pathetic act. In my past life, it was a sentence just like that,
27:01which drove Cassian mad with guilt, making him throw me into the freezing,
27:04pitch, black river. This time, she got to taste the water herself. Faced with her begging,
27:09Cassian showed zero mercy. His face was locked in a mask of absolute manic hysteria.
27:14A fever? Perfect! It is nice and cool at the bottom of the ocean! Let me send you there right
27:22now!
27:22Cassian grabbed Julia by the hair and dragged her toward the edge of the pier.
27:26Didn't you say I was brainless? Didn't you say I was nothing?
27:30You bitch! You ruined my life! And now you are going to fucking die!
27:35Roaring, he tied a heavy cinder block tight to her ankles. Julia let out a scream of pure despair.
27:42Help! Help me!
27:44While Cassian was busy tying the knot, Jax, who was tied up nearby, had somehow managed to scrape through
27:50his zip ties. Pushed to the brink of death, his survival instinct kicked in. Jax broke free,
27:55grabbed a rusted piece of rebar from the ground and lunged. He drove it straight into Cassian's back.
28:01Cassian let out a blood-curdling scream. He convulsed, staring in disbelief at the iron spike
28:06protruding from his stomach. The agonizing pain twisted his face, but he didn't fall,
28:12holding his bleeding stomach. A sickening, eerie grin spread across his face.
28:16If I'm going to hell, you are all coming with me! You are all coming with me!
28:24Using the very last ounce of his strength, he raised his foot and kicked Julia hard off the edge.
28:30Julia let out one final, piercing scream before plummeting straight into the dark ocean. The wind
28:36howled and the waves swallowed her whole, just like what I experienced in my past life. Now, it was
28:41returned to them exactly as they deserved. Drained of life, Cassian collapsed into a pool of his own
28:47blood, coughing up bloody foam. He laughed maniacally at the sky. On my end of the screen,
28:52I calmly pressed pause. That lingering, suffocating chill, the trauma that had clung to my soul like
28:57a parasite since my rebirth finally dissipated into thin air. I made a phone call, my voice perfectly
29:02level. You can call the cops now. Tell them you spotted a wanted mafia fugitive with heavy deaths.
29:11The police quickly arrived at the pier. By then, Cassian was already half conscious
29:16from blood loss. Jax, who had tried to hide in a shipping container, was dragged out in handcuffs
29:21like a dead dog. Three months later, the court delivered the final verdicts. Jax was convicted
29:26on multiple charges and sentenced to 20 years in a maximum security prison. Rumor had it that during
29:32his very first month he was recognized by some thugs he had crossed on the outside, including the bookies
29:37he still owed money to. In a blind spot away from the security cameras, Jax's spine was accidentally
29:43snapped. For the rest of his miserable life, he would be paralyzed in a prison hospital bed, begging for
29:49death. Cassian, convicted of first-degree murder, was sentenced to death without delay. In his final
29:55days on death row due to a severe infection from his wound, he ran constant high fevers, leaving him
30:01and delirious. In his endless suffering, he started having frequent hallucinations. In his delusions,
30:06he saw Valerie storm the yacht with a crew, dragging him back to the hospital. He saw himself pushing open
30:12the hospital doors, hearing the lawyer announce his name as he slipped on the black Onyx ring and became
30:18the all-powerful Dawn. In his dream, he was dressed in a sharp suit, sitting in the highest office of
30:23the
30:24Russo family empire. It was a glorious, dazzling future that belonged entirely to him. Cassian laughed
30:29out loud in his sleep. I am the dawn. I am the godfather. The violent slamming of the iron cell
30:36door ripped him out of his beautiful, decadent dream and dragged him back to reality. Cassian's
30:41eyes snapped open. There was no manor. There was no mafia empire. There was only a dark, damp death row
30:47cell
30:47that reeked of urine. He was wearing a rough prison uniform, heavy death row shackles binding his wrists.
30:53With every movement, the chains rattled with a terrifying metallic echo. The guard walked in
30:58deadpan, tossing a death warrant onto his cot. No. No, this isn't real. I was just signing contracts.
31:04I am the dawn. Let me out. The psychological whiplash, plummeting from the throne straight into hell,
31:10shattered Cassian completely. That extreme agony of having it all and losing it sliced his soul to
31:16ribbons, cut by cut. But soon, a lethal injection silenced him forever. Meanwhile, on the other side of
31:22the city, a gray-haired woman, reeking of decay, rummaged through a dumpster. It was Carmela.
31:31The day she found out her son was sentenced to death, the shock caused a massive stroke,
31:36leaving her permanently paralyzed on one side. Matteo threw her out without a second thought,
31:41and her former cronies avoided her like the plague. Now, dragging her half-dead body around,
31:46she survived by begging on the streets of New York. Above her, the massive screens in Times Square
31:52broadcasted the financial news. On screen, Matteo, wearing an impeccable suit and surrounded by
31:57politicians, confidently announced the launch of a new multi-billion dollar syndicate. That was
32:02supposed to be her son. That was supposed to be her glory. A freezing gust of wind blew past, scattering
32:08her
32:08bitter, incoherent curses into the dark corners of the city. Inside a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan,
32:14Matteo and I sat across from each other by the floor-to-ceiling windows. On the table rested
32:19two neatly stacked documents. One was my finalized divorce decree. The other was a contract granting
32:25me a 20% dividend in the new syndicate. This was the deal Matteo and I made in the hospital
32:30that day.
32:30I fed him the intel-installed Cassian. In return, he gave me immense wealth and cleared every hurdle
32:36from my divorce. A pleasure doingsness with you, Valerie. Matteo raised his whiskey glass with a
32:42slight knowing smile. I stood up and walked to the glass, looking down at the glittering city below.
32:47In the distance, a brilliant firework bloomed across the skyline. I raised my glass, gently clinking it
32:53against his, listening to the crisp sound of ice hitting the crystal. I looked at the gorgeous night
32:58view and replied softly, cheers to our new lives.
33:04When I when I took that bullet for Matteo, I only had one thought. I wasn't about to let my
33:09percentage
33:10go up in smoke. The shooter was one of Cassian's old loyalists. A desperate ghost who lost everything
33:15when Matteo took the throne, looking for payback. The bullet tore through my shoulder blade. The pain
33:20nearly blacked me out. Matteo's hands pressed hard against my wound, hot as branding irons. He growled
33:26something in my ear, but I didn't catch a word. I just felt his pounding heart against my chest.
33:31Three days later, I opened my eyes. Matteo was sitting right by the bed, wrinkled suit,
33:36dark stubble coating his jaw, seeing me awake. His dark eyes immediately lit up. He leaned in close
33:42to my side. You're awake. Don't get emotional. I couldn't let my cash cow die. He grabbed my hand.
33:50His fingers clamped down so hard it almost hurt, like he was holding onto something he'd nearly lost
33:55forever. Valerie, I have a new proposition.
34:03Marry me. His voice was low. I froze. What? I couldn't entirely read. My brother is dead,
34:09and the old capris won't stay quiet. You were a Russo wife for three years. You know their secrets
34:16better than anyone. I need you. He paused, then continued. And the real books? Family only.
34:22I make you my wife. You get the keys. It's the only way in. I stared at him. My pulse
34:27jumped. He
34:28needed me to secure his empire, or so he said. He had plenty of enemies, yes. But this, this wasn't
34:33just about the family anymore. A two-year contract. You'll be the real Donna. 50% cut. When time is
34:41up,
34:41you walk away free. Cassian gave me nothing but three years of humiliation and betrayal. And this man,
34:47he was handing me a clean exit and half a mafia empire on a silver platter. What's the catch?
34:59Be my wife. A real wife, Valerie. Not a trophy like you were for Cassian.
35:05Which means? It means you move into my room. You sleep in my bed. You act like a loving wife
35:11in
35:11front of everyone. The air suddenly felt scorching. Matteo pulled a folded document from his inside
35:16jacket pocket. Termination clause is on the last page. I flipped to the back. My eyes caught on the
35:21words. Matteo's restrictions were packed into 12 bullet points. No coercion. Unrestricted
35:26movement. Absolute privacy. Separate finances. But my termination clause. Just one line. Triggered
35:32unilaterally. Effective immediately. Why? Because you're worth it. Three years. Nobody had ever said that to me.
35:43I didn't hesitate. My fingers shook slightly from the painkillers, but I signed my name.
35:48Matteo took the contract. He looked at my signature for a long second.
35:53Valerie, I promise you one thing. Nobody hurts you ever again. The door clicked shut. Then,
35:59my phone buzzed on the bedside tray. A single text message from Matteo. Pleasure doing business, Donna.
36:13For three days before the wedding, my room overflowed with luxury boxes. Matteo's men
36:19practically bought out half of Manhattan. Day one, five tailors showed up with four lookbooks.
36:24They measured around my shoulders like I was made of glass. Mr. Russo insisted all necklines must avoid
36:31your left shoulder. The gunshot wound was still healing, he remembered. Day two. Jewelers brought
36:36in trays of diamonds. I pointed at the cheapest, plainest white gold band. This one. The jeweler
36:41paled. He scurried to a corner and whispered into his phone. The Donna chose an entry-level piece.
36:47By evening, that plain band was gone. In its place sat a massive emerald-cut diamond ring. Vasim
36:54engraved on the inside. It easily cost a hundred times more than the band I picked. Day three. Maids
37:00stumbled and carrying the entire spring collection in champagne silk. What is all this? Mr. Russo said
37:06this is just pocket money. There are 12 more bags downstairs. I leaned against the vanity,
37:11staring at the sea of velvet boxes. Unbidden, a memory surfaced. The night before I married Cassian,
37:17I was stuck in a cheap motel room, ironing my own wrinkled wedding dress. Cassian had been 40 minutes
37:23late. He was busy helping Julia pick out a gift. A bitter ache twisted in my chest,
37:27followed by a cold, hard sense of closure. I finally saw how pathetic I had been. How little
37:32I had settled for. The wedding took place at St. Patrick's Cathedral. I looped my arm through
37:41Mateo's as we walked down the aisle. The pews were packed with capos and rivals. Their stares sliced at
37:46me like blades. Chin up. Look straight ahead. His large, warm hand covered mine. Just like that,
37:52the suffocating hostility in the room vanished. The pipe organ roared to life. The priest read the
37:58vows, but it was all white noise. I only felt Mateo sliding that heavy emerald ring down my finger.
38:04You may kiss the bride. Mateo's hand cupped my jaw. The kiss was brief, a mere brush of lips.
38:12Late that night, I sat on the edge of our massive bed. The ring felt heavy, branding my skin. The
38:17shower
38:17ran in the master bathroom. I stared at the green stone, flashing back to my first wedding night.
38:23I had spent it alone, staring at the ceiling until dawn. Cassian had spent the whole night
38:27with Julia. The water shut off. Mateo stepped out. His dark hair was damp, sticking to his forehead.
38:32He wore a loose black robe. He walked straight to the window, his sharp eyes scanning the street below.
38:36A black SUV idled in the shadows across the street. Mateo turned back to me. A lazy,
38:41dangerous smirk played on his lips. Looks like we're sharing a bed tonight, wife.
38:54That night, I lay in his massive bed, completely tense. The bed was too big. It smelled just like him,
39:01making my heart hammer against my ribs. I waited for the nightmares. I waited for the feeling of
39:05freezing water under the Brooklyn Bridge. But at 3am, my eyes snapped open. I realized I had slept
39:11soundly for five straight hours. The first time since I came back to life. I cracked the door open.
39:16Mateo was sitting on the living room couch. He was standing guard. My heart raced. A strange
39:22heat bloomed in my chest. At the board dinner three days later, old capo Ricci sneered at me.
39:28Everyone caught it. Collecting quite the consultation fee, aren't we, Don's wife? Consultation fee was old
39:34school mob slang. It meant skimmed money. Mateo sat at the head of the table. His whiskey glass paused in
39:40midair. He didn't say a single word. He was giving me the floor. I put down my silverware and calmly
39:44dabbed my mouth. You're right, Mr. Ricci. Consultation fees are a beautiful thing.
39:50Take the 170 grand you collected last month, for example. Wired to your mistress Cayman Islands
39:55account in three separate installments. First wire, 58 grand. Transferred at 2.03am on the 5th.
40:01Second wire, 62 grand. 4.17pm on the 12th. Want me to recite the exact time and amount for the
40:073rd?
40:08The room was completely silent.
40:14I picked up my knife and casually sliced my steak.
40:18Relax. I don't care about your private life. Just stop testing me with cheap insults,
40:23and we can play nice. The whispers around the table vanished. Out of the corner of my eye,
40:29I saw Mateo watching me. In the car ride back, Mateo suddenly broke the silence.
40:34You looked beautiful back there. I turned to him. What? When you were tearing him apart. Beautiful.
40:40A genuine laugh escaped me. The first time since I woke up in this body. Do that more, Valerie. You
40:46should smile more. That night, I dreamed of the Brooklyn Bridge again. Freezing water flooded my
40:51lungs. Julia stood on the bridge, looking smug as I sank into the dark. Help! I screamed. I jolted awake,
40:59drenched in cold sweat. I was gripping something. Hard. A large, warm hand. I turned my head in the
41:05dim moonlight. Mateo was sitting on the edge of the mattress. His voice was a low, rough rumble.
41:11You're safe. You're not there anymore. Who let you in?
41:14I was passing by. Your room is at the end of the hall.
41:17I said I was passing by. I slowly loosened my death grip on his hand. My breath caught.
41:23Four bloody crescent moons scarred the back of his hand. He hadn't made a single sound.
41:27Mateo lay down on the small sofa. I'm sleeping here tonight. Relax. I'm not interested in my business
41:33partner. Go to sleep. I glared at his broad back for a long time before finally lying down.
41:39I could hear his steady breathing. It slowly eased my tense nerves. A dreamless night.
41:47Seven straight days. Mateo showed up on my sofa on the dot every night. Always with the same book.
41:53Always gone before dawn. I actually started looking forward to the sound of his breathing.
41:57But on the ninth morning, I opened my bedroom door. The sofa was empty. No book. No wrinkled jacket.
42:03Even his cedar scent was gone. I told myself it was fine. He had no obligation to babysit a
42:08partner's nightmares. But during the morning board meeting, my mind spun. I mixed up the gun
42:13and drug shipment numbers three times. The capos across the table exchanged confused looks.
42:18Mateo glanced at me from the head of the table several times, but stayed quiet.
42:22Late that night, I dragged my exhausted body home and pushed my door open.
42:26Mateo was casually stretched out on the sofa again. He was a few dozen pages further into his book.
42:31He acted like last night hadn't happened. It's late. He didn't look up.
42:36You don't have to do this. Sleeping here every night. Watching over me. You have your own bed.
42:41Your own room. Mateo closed his file and met my gaze.
42:46You're right. I don't have to. But I want to, Valerie.
42:50You want to? He leaned back.
42:52Call it protecting my investment.
42:54I knew it was an excuse.
42:56You stay sharp during the day. My money is safe.
43:00But for some reason, my heart did a wild flick.
43:07I lay in bed, listening to the soft rustle of pages. The faint creak of the leather sofa when he
43:12shifted.
43:12At 4am, something pulled me out of bed. Without making a sound, I walked over and crouched by the sofa.
43:18Mateo seemed asleep, but his brows were knit tight, like he was in pain.
43:21Moonlight spilled through the window, casting soft shadows on his sharp jawline.
43:26With his eyes closed, he looked younger. Thick brows. Long lashes.
43:30I reached out, wanting to smooth the crease between his brows.
43:33The second my fingers almost brushed his skin, his eyes snapped open.
43:37His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. Our eyes locked.
43:40We were so close I could see my own reflection in his dark pupils.
43:43His voice was gravelly, laced with a dangerous tease. Touching costs extra.
43:48My face instantly burned. You had a smudge on your forehead.
43:52It was the lamest excuse I could come up with.
43:54Mateo stared at me for three agonizing seconds. Then he slowly released my wrist.
43:59Oh yeah? His lips twitched up. Did you wipe it off?
44:02I scrambled to my feet, my heart hammering. Yeah, it's gone.
44:06I bolted back to bed and cocooned myself in the blanket.
44:08My heartbeat was deafening. A low, raspy chuckle came from across the room.
44:12Next time you want to touch, just touch. On the house.
44:15I grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him.
44:20Mateo, is this the legendary bitch who got your brother thrown on death row?
44:25Frankie DeMarco, a heavy hitting arms broker, clamped a Cuban cigar in his teeth.
44:30Mateo ignored him. He kept flipping through the contract. DeMarco stubbed out his cigar.
44:35Fucks the older brother, then moves to the younger one. She must be a freak in the sheets.
44:40No wonder you married Cassian's leftovers.
44:44Before he could finish his breath, Mateo shot up. He flipped the heavy table with bare hands,
44:48vials, coffee mugs, and contracts smashed into DeMarco. Before DeMarco could even process it,
44:54Mateo vaulted over the wreckage and grabbed him by the tie. The first punch landed square on
44:59DeMarco's cheekbone. A loud crack echoed in the room. DeMarco screamed and tried to swing back,
45:04but Mateo's second punch shattered his nose. Blood spurted everywhere. It splattered across
45:09Mateo's crisp white shirt. Mateo raised his fist for a third strike. The sound of guns cocking echoed.
45:15Mateo, ENOUGH! I shouted, jumping to my feet. Mateo's fist froze in mid-air. Slowly,
45:22he released DeMarco's tie, but he didn't back down an inch. Now, sign the contract with the original
45:27terms! DeMarco clutched his ruined nose. Blood poured through his fingers. Sign it or do you want to
45:33taste round three. Mateo held up his bloody fist. Shaking violently, DeMarco signed. In the car ride
45:39back, I stared at the red stains on Mateo's shirt. You shouldn't have been so reckless. It's just words,
45:45Mateo. Pull over! Mateo snapped at the driver. The SUV screeched to a halt. The privacy partition
45:52rolled up. Mateo turned to me. One large hand gripped the back of my neck. The other grabbed
45:56my chin. Then, his mouth crashed down on mine. My mind went completely blank. All I felt was his heat
46:02and
46:02his ragged breath. When he finally pulled away, we were both panting heavily. Nothing in the contract
46:09says I can't kiss you. His thumb roughly brushed my swollen lips. Anyone ever talks to you like that
46:13again, I'll kill them. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Right then,
46:18Mateo's phone rang, shattering the heavy silence. Mateo, I'm back. I heard you got married.
46:27I left the country for an arranged marriage. I vanished from his world completely. Three years
46:32later, my husband and I flew back stateside for a family memorial. My husband had a last-minute
46:37work emergency, so he told his local branch to send a car for me. I walked out of the airport.
46:42And froze. My driver was Seth. My ex-fiancee. Yo Seth, isn't that your obsessed ex? Isn't that Vanessa?
46:50See, I told you guys. I knew she'd come crawling back. Vanessa vanished without a trace. Now she sees Seth
46:57is
46:57looking for a change in the background.
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