- 11 minutes ago
Noiva Roubada
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Cicely tem uma tradição saudável, chamada o Claiming,
00:03Roitada em antigo honor codes e mafias control.
00:05É demanda a garota steal sua briga à midnight,
00:08Fiquei com sua família para provar sua poder e ir para ela.
00:11Eu esperava três anos para Dominic.
00:13Às vezes, ele e seus men saíram para o meu quarto.
00:16Eu estava pronto para ele, até que eu ouviu o seu pedido de ordem.
00:19Grab Bianca no caos.
00:20Ela é frágil.
00:21Se ela é soldado para a Dona da Valentino family para pagar o dinheiro,
00:24Ela não vai survive a noite.
00:25As para Helena, ela vai lutar como um mal.
00:27Ela vai se manter segura.
00:28O men hesitated.
00:30Dominic, você e Helena já se casou.
00:32Se ela se encontrar, ela vai se arruinar a terra.
00:35Let her.
00:36É dark enough.
00:37A case de mistério de identidade durante a Claiming vai ser fácil de explicar.
00:41Eu vou calmer ela depois.
00:42Ele pausou, sua voz se tornando icy.
00:45Besides, a marriage licença que ela signou foi uma foragem.
00:48Eu prometi Bianca a vida em Palermo.
00:51Ela é minha prioridade.
00:53Eu ouviu todas as palavras de dentro da porta.
00:55Eu não gritei, eu não gritei.
00:56Eu só slipped back into the room.
00:59Eles expectedam me to fight.
01:00Para hurt anyone que tentou me.
01:03Instead, eu silently climbed onto the back of the man who'd broken into my chamber.
01:08E became his bride.
01:10Helena, my contact at the registry checked.
01:13You...
01:14You aren't actually Dominic's legal wife.
01:17Something inside my chest shattered.
01:19I'd lived as Dominic's wife for five years.
01:22All that time, the Russo family never accepted me.
01:25His mother never used my name.
01:27Only ever referring to me as...
01:29That girl.
01:29At family galas, I was always seated at the farthest table.
01:33In official portraits, I was placed at the edge so I could be easily cropped out.
01:37Dominic said his mother wouldn't let up until I broke.
01:40So he sent me back to the Moretti estate.
01:42He promised he'd follow our traditions and complete the formal claiming ritual to bring
01:46me back as his Donna.
01:48Then, the Russo family would have no choice but to accept me.
01:51I waited.
01:52For three years I'd held my tongue.
01:55Longing for this night.
01:56But he'd come for another woman.
01:57He'd kept me deceived for years with a forged marriage license.
02:01All to hide the truth.
02:02The one he'd truly meant to claim was my half-sister, Bianca.
02:06I stared at my reflection.
02:08My face was empty.
02:10Shouts exploded in the courtyard.
02:12The ritual had begun.
02:14Laughter rang out.
02:16Boots thudded against stone.
02:17And guards put on a show of resisting.
02:19Ritual torches painted half the sky red.
02:22All the excitement was for them.
02:24The celebration was for Bianca.
02:26The other group of men had come from the Valentino family.
02:29They'd originally come for Bianca.
02:30By the rules of the ritual, if a woman didn't want to be taken, she could hide and send
02:35them away empty-handed.
02:36But Bianca didn't hide.
02:38She waited in her room to be taken.
02:40And the man she waited for was my husband.
02:42The room I was in wasn't mine.
02:44It was Bianca's.
02:45That afternoon, my stepmother pulled me aside.
02:48For once, her voice was gentle.
02:50Elena, stay in Bianca's room tonight.
02:52Yours is too far back.
02:53Too quiet.
02:54They'll never find you.
02:55The men coming for Bianca are savages.
02:57You've always been tough.
02:59You can handle the rough play.
03:00Bianca is fragile.
03:02If she gets caught in the crossfire, it'll be a disaster.
03:05I said nothing.
03:06I knew exactly what she meant.
03:07By the rules of the claiming, the groom's men would storm in.
03:10The woman was expected to fight and struggle.
03:12It was called the gauntlet.
03:14The harder she fought, the more valuable she was considered.
03:17The groom had to prove he could take her by force.
03:20Those punches and shoves were real.
03:22My stepmother studied my face, testing me.
03:24Besides, Dominic has never been to the Meredia estate at night.
03:27The front room?
03:28He'll find you faster.
03:30Back then, I'd only wanted to make things easier for Dominic.
03:33I agreed.
03:34I even texted him my room location.
03:37But they'd been planning this switch all along.
03:39A roar of celebration erupted outside.
03:42We got her!
03:42The bride is ours!
03:43Laughter and cheering rang out, followed by the sharp crack of celebratory gunfire.
03:48I listened but didn't move.
03:50I knew exactly who they'd taken.
03:51I could picture Dominic carrying Bianca through the crowd, his men shielding them as guests hurled objects and blocked their
03:57path.
03:58Bianca would hide her face against his back, pretending to struggle.
04:02How perfect.
04:03I lowered my gaze.
04:04Moments later, my door was kicked in.
04:07A group of men flooded into the dark room, their footsteps heavy and chaotic.
04:11Someone seized my arm.
04:13Hands began shoving and striking me.
04:15I felt fists slam into my shoulders and back.
04:18This was the gauntlet.
04:19The harder the beating, the more the family valued the bride.
04:22I didn't flinch or resist.
04:24I let them yank me from my chair and drag me towards the door.
04:27At first it felt like a formality, but the violence quickly turned ugly.
04:33Someone slammed my arm against the stone wall.
04:39Fists began hammering my ribs with real, cruel force.
04:43This was intentional.
04:45The pain was excruciating, but I didn't make a sound.
04:48I should have known you were tough, Elena.
04:51I finally understood what my stepmother had meant by calling me tough.
04:54Just when I thought it would never end, someone stepped in to shield me.
05:00Enough!
05:01It was a stranger's voice, sharp with fury.
05:05He blocked the others, shoving the attacker's back with his arms.
05:10That's the way it works.
05:11The harder we hit, the more she's worth.
05:14What rule?
05:16His voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
05:19This isn't your wife!
05:20If someone was beating your woman like a dog, would you just stand there and watch?
05:24The room went silent.
05:27He glanced back at me.
05:29In the shadows, I could only make out the sharp line of his jaw.
05:33Then he bent down and hoisted me onto his back.
05:37Who is he?
05:38He's taking this ritual way too seriously.
05:39He carried me out in long, steady strides.
05:42People chased after us, throwing things and blocking the way.
05:46But his grip on my legs never wavered.
05:48When he finally carried me out of my private courtyard, he paused to catch his breath.
05:56In the distance, the faint glow of ritual torches moved.
06:00That was the other group.
06:02Through the bushes, I heard their laughter.
06:04Dominic was at the front, sweat-soaked but wearing a triumphant smile.
06:09Bianca was on his back, her arms wrapped tight around his neck.
06:13His men were cheering.
06:15Kiss her!
06:16Kiss her!
06:16I lay silent on the stranger's back as they drew near.
06:21Torchlight flickered across my face.
06:24Dominic's eyes flicked over me and Le Tui the Bormormie for a split second.
06:28Then his gaze moved on, turning back to his men as he joked and laughed.
06:32He didn't recognize me.
06:34Bianca whispered something in his ear, and he leaned in with a soft smile.
06:39I suddenly thought back to three years ago,
06:42when I'd returned to the Moretti estate to visit my father and stayed for a while.
06:45The first time Dominic came to find me there, he'd worn that exact same smile.
06:50That day, my father's men put him to the test.
06:52They blocked him at the gates and roughed him up, just to see if a Russo truly cared for a
06:57Moretti girl.
06:57He'd shown up at my door with a split lip and bruised ribs.
07:01I asked if it hurt.
07:02For my wife, I'd take a lot worse.
07:05He was a spoiled Russo heir who'd never been hurt before, yet he'd taken a beating from my father's men,
07:11just for me.
07:12He always acted like it was nothing, but I knew the truth.
07:15My father's men didn't go easy on outsiders.
07:18Another time, it poured rain.
07:20He showed up soaked to the bone, his shirt torn, but the pastries tucked inside his jacket were still dry.
07:28I called him an idiot for coming out in weather like that.
07:31Didn't want you to wait too long.
07:32I held those pastries, staring at the cut on his cheek, and thought,
07:37this is the man I'll spend my life with.
07:39But now, he carried Bianca with that exact same smile.
07:43Come on, Bianca.
07:45My vision blurred for a second, then sharpened again.
07:49Not gonna drop me, are you?
07:50No, never.
07:50Are you sure?
07:51Yes.
07:51Are you sure?
07:51Yes.
07:52When did it all start to change?
07:54Probably three years ago, when my father died.
07:56I felt completely hollow inside.
07:58I'll handle it.
07:59Dominic canceled everything to stay at the Moretti estate with me for two weeks.
08:03Non salchare.
08:04The day he had to leave, he took my hand and spoke softly.
08:08Elena, you just got through the funeral and you look awful.
08:10If my mother sees you like this, she'll start on you again.
08:13I don't want you putting up with that.
08:14Just stay here at the estate and rest.
08:15You've always wanted to take over the family business, right?
08:18I'll go back and smooth things over at home, then come get you.
08:20I looked at him and nodded.
08:22I was truly exhausted from the constant fighting with his mother.
08:26Back then, I believed he was looking out for me, that he didn't want me to go back and face
08:29those cold stares.
08:31Only later did I realize, distance doesn't create beauty.
08:34It just makes it easier for him to love someone else.
08:37Last year, when Mrs. Russo turned 60, Dominic came to bring me back.
08:41The moment I stepped inside, I saw my stepsister, Bianca.
08:44She was supposed to be in Palermo for work, but there she was in the living room, arranging fruit, her
08:49movements smooth and familiar.
08:51So, she lived here now.
08:53Dominic paused while taking off his shoes and explained,
08:56Bianca's workplace is near our house.
08:57She's staying here temporarily.
08:59There wasn't a trace of guilt in his voice, and I didn't push for more.
09:03My stepmother had married into the Moretti family long after Bianca and I were grown.
09:07We'd never been close.
09:09Over the years, we'd only seen each other during holidays.
09:11I couldn't quite put into words how I felt about her staying there.
09:14Hey, sis.
09:16Don't worry.
09:17I'm just crashing here for a bit.
09:19I'll move out once I find a place.
09:20I nodded, but said nothing.
09:22Back then, I never could have imagined.
09:24For three years, I waited alone in the empty Moretti estate.
09:28And all that time, my little sister had been working in the Russo house.
09:31Now, watching Bianca on Dominic's back, it all suddenly clicked.
09:35I hadn't been waiting for him to bring me home at all.
09:38I'd been waiting for my heart to die.
09:40Bianca's voice drifted closer on the wind.
09:43What about Elena?
09:44If she finds out, she'll lose it.
09:46She's all bark and no bite.
09:48She'll get over it after throwing a fit.
09:50He paused, his voice lowering.
09:52It's pitch black during the claiming.
09:54I just made a mistake.
09:55She'll feel sorry for me before she even gets angry.
09:58Once she finds out, I'll just smooth it over.
10:01Bianca laughed softly.
10:03My knuckles whitened.
10:05One of his men spoke up suddenly.
10:07Kappa, what if someone else claimed Elena?
10:08The group fell quiet.
10:10Then Dominic laughed.
10:11You think she'd let anyone take her without a fight?
10:14With that temper of hers, she'll tear the place apart tonight.
10:16True.
10:17No way Elena goes quietly.
10:18Feel sorry for that poor bastard.
10:20Wonder what he looks like now.
10:22The laughter swelled.
10:24I looked down.
10:25Let's go.
10:26He must have heard everything.
10:28Heard them laughing about me.
10:30Heard how they thought I'd tear the roof off.
10:32But he said nothing.
10:33He just kept walking.
10:35At the gate of the Meridi estate, we ran straight into them.
10:38Torchlight flickered over us.
10:41Luca.
10:42Yeah?
10:43It really is you.
10:45You claiming someone tonight too?
10:47Yeah.
10:48Which family?
10:52A neighbor family.
10:55Caso, man.
10:56Always figured you'd stay single forever.
10:58Congrats.
11:00Dominic took a step forward.
11:02I felt his gaze linger on my back.
11:04That look lasted too long.
11:06Long enough, I almost thought he'd recognized me.
11:10Let's go.
11:11Wait!
11:15Dominic, my ankle hurts.
11:18What's wrong?
11:19Did you twist it earlier?
11:20I don't know.
11:21It just aches.
11:23Let's go.
11:24We need to get to your place before sunrise.
11:26Dominic didn't waste another second.
11:28Gonna run.
11:29I'll buy you a drink next time.
11:33Their footsteps faded into the distance.
11:39He really didn't recognize you.
11:41I rested my face against his shoulder and said nothing.
11:44My eyes stung.
11:46His pace slowed.
11:47Steps gentle and steady.
11:49The moon was bright.
11:50The road stretched on.
11:51I had no idea where he was taking me.
11:54But in that moment, I thought, anywhere was better than going back.
11:58Music filled the Russo estate hall.
12:01The whole place buzzed with celebration.
12:04Wine flowed freely and couples danced to old songs.
12:08This was the party after a successful claiming.
12:11By tradition, it would last until sunrise.
12:13Dominic sat at the edge of the crowd, phone in hand.
12:16No messages from Elena.
12:19That wasn't like her.
12:21She never kept things bottled up.
12:24If she found out I claimed the wrong woman, she would have called screaming by now.
12:28I already had my excuses.
12:30It was pitch black.
12:32Don't overthink it.
12:33You're the only one I want.
12:35I'll wait for her to blow up over the phone, then talk her down gently.
12:39She'd hurl some threat, and he'd smooth it over.
12:42Done.
12:43She never stayed mad at me for long.
12:45But this time, no call, no text, no yelling.
12:51Capo, still waiting, Elena?
12:53Don't bother.
12:54Signal's shit out here.
12:55Her area gets fine signal.
12:56Then her phone's probably dead.
12:58Or she didn't see it.
12:59She's probably off beating someone up right now.
13:03Dominic stayed quiet.
13:05Elena had once told him,
13:06I set a special ringtone for your messages.
13:09Don't want to miss them.
13:11I'd sit out in the courtyard till midnight,
13:13just waiting for you to call.
13:16He didn't believe she didn't see it,
13:19but he had no better explanation.
13:20All right, quit overthinking.
13:22This is your big night.
13:23Your bride's waiting for you.
13:25What are you doing sitting here?
13:27Tradition says once you've claimed her,
13:29you stay with her all night.
13:30Finish the ritual.
13:32I told Beyoncé this was temporary.
13:33I just got her out of there.
13:35I didn't plan on...
13:36Didn't plan on what?
13:37Capo, this is the claiming.
13:38Not a game.
13:39You took her, you finish it.
13:40Otherwise, you insult her whole family.
13:43Besides, you and Elena have been together for years.
13:45She won't care about formalities.
13:47Just get through tonight.
13:47Dominic opened his mouth to argue.
13:50What are you guys talking about?
13:51Dominic froze.
13:53Dominic, I know this one's fake,
13:55but can we at least finish the ritual?
13:57Her eyes glistening.
13:59I know you love Elena,
14:01but can you pretend I'm your bride?
14:04Just tonight.
14:05Dominic said nothing.
14:07Bianca bowed her head,
14:08her lashes fluttering.
14:10Toast the bride!
14:12Toast the bride!
14:14Toast the bride!
14:15Dominic picked up his glass,
14:17linking arms with Bianca.
14:19Light danced across both their faces.
14:22Cheers and laughter erupted around them,
14:24loud enough to rattle the walls.
14:26His eyes kept straying to the dark road beyond the estate,
14:30the same road he'd carried Bianca down tonight.
14:33At the gate, he ran into Luca Santoro.
14:35They met years ago at a family party.
14:40They had a few drinks together.
14:43Acquaintances, at best.
14:44That man had been quiet but steady,
14:46the kind of man you could trust with your life.
14:49Tonight, Luca had been carrying someone too,
14:51said she was from another family.
14:53She was thin, lying quietly on Luca's back.
14:56Only a glimpse of her neck was visible,
14:57the line of that neck,
14:59the curve of her bowed head.
15:00It had felt strangely familiar,
15:02but Bianca had cried out in pain,
15:04so he hadn't thinked again.
15:06Dominic?
15:07Dominic?
15:08Is that okay?
15:10Yeah.
15:10Then he stepped aside,
15:12pulled out his phone,
15:14and dialed Elena's number.
15:15He needed to explain,
15:16to make sure she didn't misunderstand.
15:23Finally, someone picked up.
15:26Hello?
15:27Background noise,
15:28sounds of people moving things.
15:32Dominic blinked.
15:34Let me talk to Elena.
15:37Elena?
15:40She's not here.
15:42We're packing up her stuff to send over.
15:45Send over?
15:46Send where?
15:47Elena never lets her phone leave her hand.
15:49Where are you sending her things?
15:50The woman hesitated,
15:52not expecting the question.
15:54I'm Elena's aunt.
15:56We have to pack her things
15:56and send to her husband's house.
15:58Husband's house?
16:00So Elena was preparing
16:01to move back in with me?
16:02That made sense?
16:04He'd always planned to bring her back
16:06after the claiming.
16:06Stopped leaving her
16:07at the Marathi estate alone.
16:10Auntie,
16:10about the claiming tonight,
16:12there was a bit of a mix-up.
16:14Did Elena say anything?
16:15No, several families
16:16did claiming tonight.
16:18What would Elena have to say?
16:19Despite the words,
16:20a sense of unease
16:21surged in him.
16:22Oh, I can't talk anymore.
16:23We're busy packing.
16:25Both Elena and Bianca
16:26were taken tonight.
16:27we have to get
16:28their things ready.
16:29Dominic froze.
16:31What did she mean?
16:32Both were taken.
16:33Didn't I only take Bianca?
16:35As for Elena,
16:36she would never go
16:37with someone she didn't love.
16:39Auntie,
16:39you said Elena was taken?
16:41Yes,
16:42by the Santori family.
16:43Dominic's throat tightened.
16:45He couldn't speak.
16:46He suddenly remembered something
16:48and his mind exploded.
16:50Santori?
16:52Luca.
16:53The man he met at the gate,
16:54the one carrying a girl
16:56saying she was his bride.
16:57That silhouette
16:58that looked so familiar.
17:01Elena,
17:01she didn't fight?
17:03Fight?
17:04Why would she?
17:05Acclaiming isn't a bad thing.
17:07She was as quiet
17:08as she could be.
17:08She just went with him.
17:10We all thought it was strange.
17:11With her temper,
17:12shouldn't she have
17:12beaten the man?
17:13But nothing happened.
17:15She just let him
17:15carry her away.
17:16Dominic's hand
17:17began to shake.
17:18Quiet as she could be?
17:20Just let him
17:21carry her away?
17:22No,
17:23that wasn't Elena.
17:26That wasn't Elena.
17:27That wasn't the Elena I knew.
17:29He remembered talking
17:30to Elena about
17:31claimings before.
17:32She had sat on his doorstep,
17:34swinging her legs,
17:35speaking excitedly.
17:37The girls in Moretti family,
17:39if they're claimed
17:39by someone they don't like,
17:41they don't just let them.
17:42They kick,
17:43bite,
17:44and scratch.
17:45They fight
17:46until the man
17:46gives up himself.
17:47You're so wild.
17:49Who would dare claim you?
17:52Well, it depends
17:53on who's coming.
17:55If it's you,
17:59I'd just put on a show
18:00of struggling a little
18:01for appearances.
18:04Just a little?
18:06Three times at most.
18:08If you came to claim me,
18:09I'd probably be the first
18:10to jump on your back
18:11so you wouldn't have
18:11to take those hits.
18:12This girl is so foolish.
18:14Auntie Elena,
18:16when was she taken?
18:18When?
18:19Tonight,
18:20right after you left.
18:21Dominic opened his mouth,
18:22but not a single word
18:23came out.
18:24Hello?
18:26Dominic?
18:26Are you still there?
18:28I'm here.
18:29Why are you asking so much?
18:31Elena's husband
18:31will take care of her.
18:33You claimed Bianca tonight,
18:34didn't you?
18:35That poor girl's had it rough.
18:36Take good care of her.
18:37All right,
18:38I have to go.
18:39We're still packing.
18:40Elena left in such a hurry
18:41she forgot so many things.
18:43We have to get them to her.
18:44Bye now.
18:45The line went dead.
18:46The dial tone rang in his ears,
18:48a steady,
18:49hammering sound
18:50over and over.
18:51He stood at the edge
18:52of the crowd,
18:53white-knuckling his phone.
18:55Around him were songs,
18:56laughter,
18:57music,
18:58all the noise of celebration.
18:59Someone walked past,
19:01slapping his shoulder
19:02in congratulations.
19:03Someone shoved a drink
19:04into his hand,
19:05tugging him toward
19:06the dance floor.
19:07Bianca waved at him
19:08from across the fire,
19:09a soft smile on her face,
19:11but he couldn't hear a thing.
19:12While he'd been carrying
19:13Bianca away,
19:14Elena had been lying
19:15on another man's back.
19:16They had passed each other
19:17in the dark.
19:18He'd thought she would fight,
19:19scream,
19:20resist,
19:21but she did nothing.
19:22Capo!
19:23Where the hell are you going?
19:25To get my wife.
19:27What wife?
19:28You claim Bianca tonight.
19:30You walk out now,
19:30you insult the whole Moretti family.
19:33This was temporary.
19:35Getting Bianca out of a bad situation.
19:37That's it.
19:38Temporary?
19:39Capo,
19:39you completed the ritual.
19:41The whole Palermo knows
19:42Bianca's yours now.
19:43You leave her tonight,
19:43she's got no standing.
19:45No protection.
19:46Bianca stood by the fire,
19:48watching him,
19:49eyes uncertain.
19:50One night,
19:51stay tonight,
19:53keep up appearances.
19:54Tomorrow you can do
19:55whatever you want,
19:56but tonight,
19:58you owe Bianca that much.
20:00Dominic clenched his fists,
20:01then slowly let go.
20:03He walked back to the fire.
20:07where were you going?
20:10Where were you going?
20:11Nowhere.
20:11Bianca lowered her head,
20:12not asking more.
20:14That night,
20:14he sat by the fire,
20:15watching the flames flicker and die.
20:17He watched the people come and go,
20:19watched the moon rise and slowly set.
20:22He called Elena countless times.
20:23It was always off.
20:26At dawn,
20:27he rose and left.
20:28Dominic!
20:29He didn't look back.
20:31He drove back to Corleone.
20:34The sun was just rising,
20:36the hounds were baying,
20:37and the morning mist was lifting
20:38from the vineyards.
20:39He stopped an old groundskeeper
20:41and asked where Luca's villa was.
20:43The man pointed toward a newly built villa
20:46at the foot of the hill.
20:47He ran over.
20:48The iron gates stood open,
20:50but the house was empty.
20:54Looking for Don Luca?
20:55He left at dawn with his new bride,
20:57said there was urgent family business
20:59and had to return.
21:01Dominic stood frozen in place.
21:03When did they come back?
21:05How should I know?
21:07Dominic stood before that empty house
21:09for a long time without moving.
21:11He pulled out his phone
21:12and called Elena again.
21:15Still off.
21:16He scrolled through his contacts
21:18and realized he didn't even have Luca's number.
21:20They were never close.
21:22He didn't know where Luca lived,
21:23what city he was in.
21:25He knew nothing.
21:26He only remembered last night,
21:28the way Elena had lain so quietly
21:30on that man's back.
21:31He rushed back to the Russo estate,
21:33picked up Bianca,
21:34and headed back to Palermo.
21:36The whole way,
21:36Bianca was quiet,
21:38occasionally glancing at him,
21:39wanting to speak.
21:40He didn't want to talk,
21:41so she didn't ask.
21:44But Elena wasn't at their home.
21:46He had failed again.
21:47In the days that followed,
21:48his mind was still trapped
21:50in that claiming.
21:53just a little more,
21:55just a little more,
21:56and he could have stopped his woman
21:57from being taken.
22:00Dominic.
22:01She no longer called him
22:03brother-in-law.
22:04She held a cup of warm milk.
22:07You haven't eaten much
22:08these past few days.
22:09Drink some milk.
22:10Thank you.
22:11Bianca didn't leave.
22:13She sat beside him.
22:13I need to talk to you.
22:15Your mother refused
22:16to let you legally marry my sister.
22:18That was her condition
22:19for tolerating the relationship.
22:22So you gave Elena
22:23a fake certificate
22:23to make her believe
22:24you were committed.
22:26Then,
22:27to save me
22:28from the Valentino family,
22:30you registered
22:31a real marriage
22:33with me.
22:34Bianca lowered her head,
22:35her lashes trembling.
22:36You claimed me
22:37in front of the families,
22:39completed the ritual,
22:40made me your Donna.
22:42Dominic,
22:43since it has come to this,
22:44why don't we simply
22:45be together?
22:46Dominic froze.
22:48What did you say?
22:49Do you dare say
22:50you don't truly like me?
22:52You legally married me.
22:55You completed
22:56the claiming ritual.
22:57You made me your Donna.
23:00You say it was to save me
23:02from Valentino,
23:03but you never had
23:03to go that far.
23:04Just admit it.
23:06You like me.
23:08As for Elena,
23:09she's just not right for you.
23:11All she cares about
23:12is her dad's business.
23:13She never even thinks
23:14about helping you
23:15with your work
23:15or fitting in
23:16with your crowd.
23:17What's she even
23:18going to give you?
23:19But I'm different.
23:21I know what you want
23:22and I know how
23:22to make your mom happy.
23:23I can give you
23:24way more
23:25than she ever could.
23:27Dominic looked
23:28into those eyes
23:29that were nothing
23:29like Elena's.
23:30Elena's eyes were bright,
23:32like stars in the mountains.
23:34No secrets,
23:34no pretense.
23:35Happy was happy.
23:37Sad was sad.
23:38Plain and simple.
23:38But Bianca's eyes
23:40were soft,
23:41like a pool of water
23:42that could pull you under
23:43before you even realized it.
23:45He suddenly asked himself,
23:46back when he'd go
23:47to the Meretti estate,
23:48bringing things for Elena,
23:50did he always bring
23:51a little something
23:51for Bianca, too?
23:54And later,
23:55when Bianca said
23:55her sister got
23:56the family business,
23:57she had to find work.
23:58Was it just because
23:59he felt sorry
24:00for how fragile she seemed
24:01that he let her
24:02move into his home?
24:03He wasn't sure anymore.
24:05Was that casual kindness
24:06he'd shown her
24:07over the past three years
24:08really just a coincidence?
24:10And when he saw
24:11Bianca smile,
24:12was that feeling
24:13in his chest
24:13really just the affection
24:15of a brother?
24:16He didn't know
24:16when it started.
24:17Or perhaps he always knew,
24:19but refused to admit it.
24:20He only knew
24:21one thing for certain.
24:22Elena was the one
24:23he was supposed to marry,
24:24the wife he chose,
24:25the girl he was willing
24:26to give up everything.
24:29Dominic snapped back,
24:31looking at her,
24:31but thinking of Elena,
24:33thinking of her lying
24:33on that man's back,
24:35thinking of how
24:35she hadn't said a word,
24:36thinking of how
24:37she hadn't even
24:38bothered to struggle.
24:39His heart felt
24:39as if a piece
24:40had been savagely carved out.
24:42So, the mistaken identity,
24:44he thought no one knew,
24:45Elena had seen it all.
24:47So, she walked away
24:48in the other direction.
24:49Not long after,
24:50his mother arrived,
24:51walked in,
24:52already lecturing.
24:53Since you and Bianca
24:54are registered,
24:55just live your lives.
24:57Why are you constantly
24:58thinking about that woman
24:59who ran off with another man
25:01and hasn't even come home?
25:02Dominic knew she would say this.
25:04In these three years,
25:06Bianca had charmed her well.
25:07She made her almost forget
25:08who it was that used
25:10to be insulted in the kitchen,
25:11who worked until midnight
25:12without a word of thanks.
25:14Bianca knew how to act cute,
25:16how to speak softly,
25:17how to buy expensive gifts
25:18to make her smile.
25:19And Elena?
25:20Elena didn't know these things.
25:22Elena only knew how to work hard,
25:24how to be good to him,
25:25how to stand there
25:26and wait to be seen.
25:27But she was never seen.
25:29Mother,
25:31Elena didn't run off.
25:33If that isn't running off,
25:35what is?
25:36She was claimed,
25:37claiming our normal out there.
25:39If she had you in her heart,
25:40why hasn't she come back?
25:41Because I have no right
25:42to ask her to.
25:44His mother froze.
25:46Back then,
25:47you said the only condition
25:48for accepting her
25:50was not registering the marriage.
25:52So,
25:53the contract I had with her
25:54was fake.
25:55From beginning to end,
25:57she was never truly my wife.
25:59Since she isn't back,
26:00I have no standing
26:01to look for her.
26:02If she wants to marry
26:03someone else,
26:05his throat tightened.
26:07I don't even have
26:07the right to object.
26:09Then who do you blame?
26:10I did interfere
26:11with the registration,
26:12but the rest was your choice.
26:14If you didn't like Bianca,
26:15why did you claim her?
26:16Why did you register with her?
26:18Dominic's throat choked.
26:19He couldn't explain.
26:21Saying Bianca was to help her leave,
26:23registering was for her status.
26:25But saying those things
26:26now felt pathetic,
26:27even to him.
26:28By helping her,
26:29he had lost himself.
26:31I'm telling you,
26:32everyone in the family
26:33knows about you and Bianca.
26:35You legally married that girl.
26:37You claimed her
26:38in front of the families.
26:39You made her your Donna.
26:41And now you want to discard her?
26:43What does that say
26:44about the Russo family?
26:47We're divorced.
26:50What?
26:51We divorced two months ago.
26:54I couldn't live with her.
26:56Then what do you want to do now?
26:58What did he want?
26:59He wanted to laugh.
27:00He wanted to find Elena.
27:01But with what?
27:02He didn't even know
27:03if she still hated him.
27:04He didn't even have the chance
27:06to use a divorce
27:06to force her to see him.
27:08Three years later.
27:09You're either locked
27:10in the Moretti estate
27:11or driving across Sicily
27:12chasing a ghost.
27:13Get out for once.
27:14Dominic,
27:15every family sends someone tonight.
27:17You should show your face.
27:18The hall was crowded
27:19with the elites
27:20of the most powerful syndicates.
27:23Dominic wandered through it
27:24aimlessly.
27:25Eyes passing over each face
27:27and moving on.
27:28Three years.
27:29He thought sometimes.
27:30After her father died
27:31she had nobody left.
27:33Maybe that's why
27:33she never went back
27:34to Moretti estate.
27:35She'd had him once.
27:36But what had he done with that?
27:38He'd made her wait three years
27:39then carried another woman
27:40out right in front of her.
27:42What had he actually given her?
27:43A fake marriage license?
27:46Empty words.
27:47Three years of his mother's contempt.
27:49He'd watched every bit of it
27:50and never once stepped
27:52in front of it
27:52and in the end
27:54on what should have been
27:55the best night of her life
27:56he walked away from her for good.
27:59Was she somewhere doing well now?
28:01Had she already forgotten him?
28:09Dominic,
28:09isn't that Elena?
28:11The man was in a black shirt
28:12focused,
28:13unhurried,
28:14the woman beside him.
28:17She was speaking to someone
28:19and her eyes curved into a smile.
28:22That was the person
28:23he'd been looking for
28:23for three years
28:24standing right there
28:26close enough to see.
28:29Elena.
28:29Elena.
28:32Elena.
28:34Elena.
28:47She looked at him
28:48the way you look at someone
28:49you half recognize.
28:51I'm sorry,
28:51do we know each me?
28:52I'm terrible with faces.
28:54She looked at him again
28:54more carefully.
28:56Mr. Russo,
28:57it's been a while.
28:59She genuinely
29:00hadn't recognized him.
29:01Three years,
29:03Dominic was gaunt
29:04and weathered
29:04no longer the handsome,
29:05dashing man
29:06he had once been.
29:07Luca looked up then
29:08and glanced at him.
29:10He said nothing,
29:11simply stepping closer
29:12to Elena's side.
29:13It was a natural,
29:14protective stance.
29:16You two,
29:17are you truly,
29:18truly together?
29:20Elena turned slightly
29:21to look at Luca.
29:22That look was soft,
29:24certain,
29:25and natural.
29:27Mr. Russo,
29:28let me introduce you.
29:29This is my wife.
29:30During the claiming
29:31you met her,
29:32remember?
29:33Wife?
29:34That's how
29:35can that count?
29:36That was a mistake,
29:37a blunder.
29:38it was dark
29:39and I claimed
29:39the wrong person.
29:40Claimed the wrong person?
29:41Mr. Russo,
29:42in our tradition,
29:43a claiming
29:44isn't a kidnapping.
29:45It's a silent agreement
29:46between families.
29:47If the girl doesn't want it,
29:48can she be taken?
29:51If she truly
29:52didn't want to go,
29:53she would have beat me
29:55until my own mother
29:55didn't recognize me.
29:59The words were a knife
30:00in Dominic's chest.
30:01He remembered
30:02what Elena had said.
30:03If it's someone
30:04I don't like,
30:05I'll fight until
30:06he don't recognize himself.
30:08But the truth was,
30:09she had lain quietly
30:10on Luca's back
30:11without a single sound.
30:13He stood there,
30:14watching Elena
30:15turn her head
30:15to meet the other man's gaze.
30:17If you're here
30:18on Russo business,
30:18I can point you
30:19to the right people.
30:20If not,
30:21you're in the way.
30:23Elena!
30:25Listen to me!
30:25Listen to what?
30:26Listen to you say
30:27the marriage was fake?
30:28Listen to you tell me
30:29about your plan
30:29to swap brides
30:30so the fragile
30:30Bianca wouldn't suffer?
30:32You heard all that?
30:36Mr. Russo,
30:37meeting today is fate,
30:39but it doesn't mean
30:40you can harass my wife.
30:42Luca!
30:43She's my wife!
30:44Luca said nothing,
30:45only looked down at Elena.
30:47He had explained this
30:49to his wife before.
30:50That night,
30:51he had followed the crew
30:52to the Maradi estate,
30:53but not for himself.
30:55His cousin had wanted Bianca
30:57and dragged him along
30:58for support.
30:59He couldn't refuse,
31:01so he went.
31:02But at the edge
31:03of the estate,
31:04the cousin suddenly
31:05clutched clutched his stomach,
31:07his face pale.
31:09I can't, I can't.
31:11That wine at lunch was bad.
31:12I need a place.
31:13He waved him off.
31:14You go ahead.
31:15Find Bianca and hide her.
31:16Actually,
31:17she doesn't like me.
31:18I just wanted to try
31:19if she'd accept me.
31:20If she won't,
31:21we'll just leave.
31:22Don't let her suffer.
31:23With that,
31:24he vanished into the trees.
31:26Luca stood in the darkness,
31:28feeling ridiculous.
31:30He came to help
31:31with a claiming,
31:32and the groom had run off.
31:35He stood there,
31:36not knowing whether
31:37to stay or go.
31:39Later,
31:40he went in,
31:42not to claim anyone,
31:44but to find Bianca
31:51and tell her to hide.
31:54Then another crew
31:55poured through the door
31:56and started throwing
31:57their weight around.
31:58First,
31:59it was the motions.
32:00Then it started being rude.
32:02She didn't move,
32:03didn't fight back,
32:04just sat there
32:05and took it.
32:06He couldn't watch it.
32:07He walked over,
32:08crouched down
32:09in front of her.
32:10Do you want to leave?
32:12She looked at him
32:13and her eyes turned home,
32:15but she didn't crew.
32:17She simply nended
32:18and climbed onto his back.
32:20Perhaps that was fate.
32:23If his cousin
32:23hadn't had a stomach ache,
32:25perhaps in her despair,
32:26she really would have gone with it.
32:28Or perhaps,
32:28after they found the mistake,
32:30they would have parted ways peacefully,
32:31treated the night as a blunder.
32:32But there are no ifs.
32:34He and Elena decided
32:35to give each other a chance,
32:36so they made the claiming real.
32:38And so,
32:39they found their current happiness.
32:40Elena suddenly called his name,
32:42her voice soft.
32:43Didn't you get your wish
32:44and claim Bianca?
32:47Dominic's throat choked.
32:49I,
32:50Bianca,
32:51he and Bianca
32:52had divorced long ago.
32:53But what point was there
32:54in saying that now?
32:56Elena,
32:57I claimed the wrong one.
32:58That night,
32:59I was supposed to claim you.
33:00I thought you'd fight,
33:01I thought you'd...
33:02I never imagined
33:03Bianca kind.
33:04I'll give Bina back to you.
33:05I'll give everything back to you.
33:06Give Elena back to me.
33:08Elena smiled,
33:08a light,
33:09faint smile.
33:10Dominic,
33:11a claiming isn't a game.
33:12In our traditions,
33:13a mistake is the will of heaven.
33:15Heaven willed me to go with him,
33:16so I went.
33:17Heaven willed me to go with him,
33:18so I went.
33:19You claimed Bianca,
33:21and I married Luca.
33:23We're even.
33:24Dominic stood there,
33:25shaking.
33:26He saw Luca gently put an arm
33:28around her shoulder.
33:29He wanted to chase them,
33:30but he couldn't move.
33:32In the crowd,
33:33Elena's back grew further
33:34and further away.
33:35The rain came suddenly,
33:37and the crowd began to disperse.
33:39Dominic still stood there,
33:41in the rain.
33:41He suddenly remembered
33:43the summer years ago,
33:44when he went to find Elena.
33:45You fool!
33:47I was afraid you'd be waiting.
33:48Then,
33:49eyes brights like Shanton stars.
33:51Dominic,
33:52I'll wait for you.
33:53Okay.
33:54He'd made her wait for three years.
33:56In the rain,
33:57he suddenly laughed,
33:58and he couldn't tell the rain
33:59from the tears.
Comments