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After the Crash #AGS
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00:02I need your help to fake a private jet crash.
00:05It's the only way I can ever leave Luca Moretti.
00:14People said he'd given up the Mafia throne for me.
00:18They called him the man who traded power for love,
00:21the heir who walked away from blood and gold,
00:24just to marry a waitress from the Slims.
00:26For years, he made the world believe in us.
00:30He built empires under my name.
00:36He sent me roses every Monday.
00:39He told the press,
00:41She's my salvation.
00:43She saved me when no one else could.
00:46But love doesn't always mean loyalty.
00:49While I was busy believing in forever,
00:52he was building a second home behind my back,
00:55one filled with laughter, toys, and twin sons who had his eyes.
01:02The night I disappeared, his empire burned.
01:05Oh God! What have I done, Valeria?
01:09I was wrong!
01:18He tore apart cities, bribed governments.
01:25And buried men alive just to find him.
01:30But by the time he did,
01:33I was already gone.
01:39Valeria, you scared me half to death.
01:44When I found out, my world stopped.
01:52I remember clutching the edge of the bed before everything went black.
01:57She must have fainted from the shock, huh?
02:00How pitiful.
02:01Who says otherwise?
02:03Anyone who saw themselves being played like that would faint on the spot too.
02:12Dropped a billion dollar deal and flew home overnight.
02:16Luca Moretti, my husband,
02:18the man everyone called the golden heir of the mafia.
02:22He didn't sleep for two days, sitting by my bedside,
02:25his face pale with fear.
02:30When I finally opened my eyes, he was right there.
02:34Valeria, you scared me half to death.
02:36He whispered, pressing my farm to his cheek.
02:39How are you now? Feeling any better?
02:42This was the same man who'd once stared down a loaded gun without flinching,
02:46now trembling because I'd collapsed.
02:48Looking into his eyes, those eyes I used to trust more than anything,
02:52hurt more than anything my body had felt.
02:54Love like that couldn't be faked.
02:57And yet I couldn't stop wondering.
02:59Did he ever look at her that way too?
03:02Bianca Rizzo, his childhood friend,
03:04the woman who had given birth to his twins.
03:06If I hadn't seen the proof with my own eyes,
03:09the photos, the DNA report, I would have never believed it.
03:13Positive.
03:14The hormone levels are very clear.
03:16Congratulations.
03:18The world saw Luca as perfect.
03:21But perfection hides things.
03:23And his secret had been breathing beside another woman for an entire year.
03:29I turned my face away and let the tears soak into the pillow.
03:33My hand drifted to my stomach, trembling.
03:36After years of failed IVF treatments, I was finally pregnant.
03:39Mrs. Marachi, the test results are in.
03:41You're pregnant.
03:42Approximately eight weeks along.
03:44I sat frozen on the examination table,
03:46my hand instinctively moving to my still flat stomach.
03:52Pregnant?
03:54Are you sure?
03:55Positive.
03:56The hormone levels are very clear.
03:59Congratulations.
04:02Luca pulled me into his arms,
04:03his voice low and tender.
04:06What's wrong, sweetheart?
04:07Who upset you?
04:08Tell me and I'll fix it.
04:11But then I caught a faint scent on his skin.
04:14Expensive perfume I didn't wear,
04:16mixed with the powdery sweetness of baby formula.
04:20My stomach twisted.
04:22I shoved him away and stumbled toward the bathroom, retching.
04:26He rushed after me, holding my hair, wiping my face.
04:30He hated messes.
04:32He hated the smell of sickness.
04:34And yet there he was, on his knees, whispering.
04:37It's okay.
04:39I've got you.
04:42It almost broke me again.
04:45Because in that moment, he was the man I fell in love with.
04:50Help me.
04:52I need you to fake a plane crash.
04:55The one who used to walk through fire for me.
04:59The one I thought I could never live without.
05:04I almost forgave him.
05:10I almost convinced myself that if he left Bianca,
05:13we could go back to what we were.
05:15Start over.
05:16Raise our baby together.
05:17Pretend the world hadn't already ended.
05:19I opened my mouth to tell him.
05:22Luca, I...
05:24But his phone rang.
05:26He kissed my oar head and murmured.
05:29Baby, wait a second.
05:30It's a work call.
05:32Then he walked out the door.
05:3630 minutes later, Bianca sent me a photo.
05:41Luca was holding the twins, his lips pressed to their foreheads.
05:45The smile on his face wasn't guilt.
05:47It was peace.
05:51That photo destroyed the last bit of hope I had left.
05:57When I left the hospital, I didn't go home.
06:01I went straight to Clara, my oldest friend.
06:04The only person I could still trust.
06:18Help me.
06:20I need you to fake a plane crash.
06:26Everything's ready.
06:27Two days from now, you vanish.
06:31That night, I started packing.
06:35I opened the wardrobe and took out every shirt I'd ever sewed for him.
06:40I cut them into pieces and threw them away.
06:45The diamonds he gave me, I handed them to the housekeepers.
06:52And the 16 photo albums we'd made over the years, promising to look at them together when we were old.
06:57I fed them one by one into the fireplace.
07:00The pages curled, blackened, and turned to ash.
07:05Luca, goodbye.
07:08At midnight, my phone buzzed.
07:11Everything's ready.
07:12Two days from now, you vanish.
07:15I didn't sleep that night.
07:18Every time I closed my eyes, I woke up crying.
07:22By dawn, I just sat there, knees pulled to my chest, staring into the dark until the sky turned gray.
07:30When Luca came home the next morning, I pretended to be asleep.
07:34He took off his coat, waited for the chill to fade from his body, and then pulled me into his
07:40arms.
07:41I could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, against my back.
07:46Baby, look.
07:49He said softly, opening his tablet.
07:52A picture of an island glowed on the screen.
07:56White sand, blue water.
07:58The kind of paradise people write about.
08:03Then you have nothing to worry about.
08:05The rest of the world might cheat, but not me.
08:07Never me.
08:16I just bought it.
08:17He said, his voice almost boyish.
08:24It's for our child.
08:25And that's not all.
08:26I've started building amusement parks across the country.
08:29Every one will carry our child's name.
08:31When we finally have one, I'll throw a hundred day celebration.
08:33The whole city will come to celebrate.
08:34He looked so proud of himself, so full of plans for a future I knew would never come.
08:39He talked and talked, and it took him a full minute to realize I hadn't said a single word.
08:45Then he heard me sniffle.
08:47He turned towards me.
08:49And froze.
08:52My face was wet with tears.
08:55Hey, what's wrong?
08:57He panicked instantly.
09:00Luca Moretti, the man who once faced down a rival family's gunman without blinking, was trembling because I was crying.
09:08If you had even one ounce of pain, I'd carry it a hundred times over for you.
09:14I forced a small smile and wiped my eyes.
09:19It's nothing.
09:20I just watched a movie.
09:22The husband cheated on his wife.
09:24He relaxed, a smile tugging at his lips.
09:27Then you have nothing to worry about.
09:29The rest of the world might cheat, but not me.
09:32Never me.
09:40Valeria's happiness is my oxygen.
09:43As long as she's happy, I can breathe.
09:46He cupped my face.
09:48I'll stay with you all day.
09:50Tell me what you want to eat.
09:51I'll cook.
09:52I shook my head.
09:56It's fine.
09:57I'm meeting some friends for lunch.
09:58You should go to work.
10:00He hesitated, but he never liked arguing with me.
10:04So he followed me instead.
10:07When we entered the private dining room, laughter filled the air.
10:10I knew it!
10:12One of my friends teased.
10:14If Valeria's coming, Luca's coming too.
10:17He never lets her out of his sight.
10:22Luca laughed, easy and charming.
10:24Like he wasn't the most feared man in the city.
10:29He handed out the gifts he'd brought, one by one, to every woman at the table.
10:34Gasps followed.
10:36Oh my God! This is the new LT jewelry line!
10:39This set costs seven figures!
10:44Luca, you spoil us every time!
10:47We're only this lucky because of Valeria!
10:50They were right.
10:54Luca would do anything to make my friends like him.
10:57Because when they smiled, I smiled.
11:03Valeria's happiness is my oxygen.
11:05As long as she's happy, I can breathe.
11:15Oh, did I walk into the wrong room?
11:19Everyone at the table looked at me with open envy.
11:23Valeria, you're so lucky.
11:26One of them said dreamily.
11:28He loves you so much.
11:34I smiled politely.
11:36The kind of smile that didn't reach my eyes.
11:40I'm very lucky indeed.
11:42They couldn't see that my luck was bleeding out of me.
11:45One quiet heartbeat at a time.
11:50The laughter was still echoing around the table when the door opened.
11:54The door opened.
12:05Bianca Rizzo stepped in, draped in pearls and confidence.
12:10Carrying the faint scent of expensive perfume.
12:14She paused dramatically.
12:15Then smiled as if she owned the entire room.
12:19Oh.
12:20Did I walk into the wrong room?
12:23She asked with a soft, melodic laugh.
12:34Wait.
12:36Aren't these my old college friends?
12:49I'm expanding the family business overseas.
12:52Things are just busy right now.
12:54The tension in the room turned solid, but Bianca didn't seem to notice or care.
13:00She slid into the seat right across from me and glanced casually at the gift boxes in everyone's hands.
13:10L.T.
13:12She said smiling faintly.
13:15Famous brand.
13:17Though I guess most of you don't know.
13:20It's mine.
13:22My husband invested billions to start it two years ago.
13:26He worked so hard, built 26 stores worldwide.
13:28He is the best partner a woman could ask for.
13:31Her gaze flicked toward Luca, just for a heartbeat, then back to me.
13:34The smile that followed was razor sharp.
13:37I couldn't breathe.
13:40Two years ago, Luca started coming home later than usual.
13:45I'm expanding the family business overseas.
13:47Things are just busy right now.
13:50I promised we'd go to the beach together for our honeymoon.
13:52Be understanding, Valeria.
13:54I'm really busy every day.
13:57He sighed and pulled me gently into his arms, his voice softening.
14:02Once things calm down, I'll take you to the beach for a vacation.
14:05Just the two of us, okay?
14:12But now I know the truth.
14:14He was busy building Bianca Rizzo's empire.
14:21The sound of the slap was sharp enough to silence the entire room.
14:26The pain hit me so hard, I had to clutch my chest to breathe.
14:35What's wrong, sweetheart?
14:36Luca stood instantly, his chair scraping against the marble floor.
14:40You're pale. I'm calling a doctor.
14:43Before I could speak, Bianca's voice sliced through the air like broken glass.
14:50Still playing the perfect wife act?
14:53Don't strain yourself.
14:54He gets tired of fragile toys fast.
14:59The sound of the slap was sharp enough to silence the entire room.
15:06Luca's hand came down across her cheek so hard that even I flinched.
15:09Say one more word.
15:12And I'll make sure you never speak again.
15:17Bianca pressed a hand to her face.
15:19Eyes blazing.
15:21But she knew better than to push him.
15:23She left without another word.
15:25The laughter slowly returned to the dinner table.
15:28But my skin felt cold.
15:30I could feel Luca watching me.
15:32His hand covering my voice soft with worry.
15:35Baby, what's wrong?
15:36Let me take you to the hospital.
15:38I pulled away.
15:40I'm fine, I just need the bathroom.
15:49But when I stepped into the hallway, she was waiting for me.
15:55Didn't you promise to stay with me today?
15:57Please, Luca.
16:01Bianca.
16:05You really think that slap means anything?
16:12You're his wife, sure.
16:14But I'm the one who gave him twins.
16:16If I tell him they're sick, he'll come running.
16:19Wanna bet?
16:21I didn't answer.
16:22I didn't have to.
16:27Because when I returned to the table, Luca's face was already pale with panic.
16:32He rushed to me.
16:33Kissed my forehead.
16:36Sweetheart.
16:36Something came up at work.
16:37I'll be right back, okay?
16:39The manager has everything covered.
16:40Enjoy yourself.
16:40I gripped his sleeve.
16:43Didn't you promise to stay with me today?
16:45Please, Luca.
16:47Stay.
16:47Something flickered in his eyes.
16:49Guilt.
16:50Hesitation.
16:50Maybe fear.
16:51He looked at me like he knew leaving would cost him something he couldn't name.
16:56But then he said softly,
16:58I'll be home tonight.
16:59I promise.
17:02And just like that, he was gone.
17:09Half an hour later, my phone buzzed.
17:14A message from Bianca.
17:16A video.
17:18I pressed play, my hands shaking.
17:23Luca was there, feeding their children.
17:28You gave her an island as a love story.
17:32Bianca's voice floated through the recording.
17:39You bought her an island, Luca.
17:41I'm jealous.
17:42I want it for our twin's birthday.
17:46No.
17:47That island was for Valeria and our child.
17:58You gave her an island as a love story.
18:03Give this one to me, so our sons will know they weren't born from shame.
18:08And then, he nodded.
18:18See?
18:20Even the things meant for you are mine the moment I ask.
18:24You lose.
18:25I sat there frozen, the phone heavy in my hand.
18:31Every memory of his kindness stabbed through me like glass.
18:35The way he once wrapped my injured hand in bandages.
18:39The way he carried me home through the rain.
18:42Everything he did for me, he could do for her.
18:55I was done.
18:57Tomorrow, I'd leave.
18:59For good.
19:02I missed you so much.
19:11That night, Luca came home to find me already in bed.
19:18We'd never slept apart before.
19:21We used to wait for each other, even if it was dawn.
19:39But this time, I couldn't bear to see his face.
19:42He lay beside me, pulling me close, breathing against my neck.
19:52I missed you so much.
19:54It's only been hours, but it felt like years.
19:56If you ever left me, I don't think I could live.
20:00Really?
20:02By the way, about that island, I found out it's not good luck for us.
20:09About two more.
20:11We'll pick one together, okay?
20:20Do whatever you want.
20:26By the time the news reached him, that my jet had gone down over the Atlantic, he would open it.
20:33He hesitated, sensing something cold in my tone.
20:39Did I do something wrong?
20:42No.
20:44I'm just tired.
20:52Our anniversary is coming.
20:54Tomorrow afternoon, I'm flying out on a private jet.
20:57I ordered your gift overseas. I want to pick it up myself.
21:01You're pregnant, love.
21:02That's a 15-hour flight. Let me go instead.
21:09No.
21:11I want to do it myself.
21:13That broke him, like it always did.
21:15Alright.
21:16Whatever you want.
21:20The next morning, he made me breakfast before leaving for work.
21:30Before he walked out the door, I handed him a sealed envelope.
21:35It's for you, but don't open it until two days from now.
21:45Inside were two things, my pregnancy report and Bianca's video.
21:52By the time the news reached him, that my jet had gone down over the Atlantic, he would open it.
22:01When have I ever treated her badly?
22:03When he left, I packed my things and headed for the airport.
22:09Halfway there, my phone buzzed again.
22:11A message from Bianca.
22:14Hotel Deluxe.
22:15He's here.
22:16Don't miss the show.
22:21I shouldn't have gone.
22:24I knew what I'd find.
22:29But I went anyway.
22:32It was their twin's birthday.
22:35The Moretti elders.
22:37The family's inner circle.
22:39All gathered around Bianca.
22:40Mrs Moretti.
22:45Luca didn't correct them.
22:51He just smiled at her.
22:53That soft, familiar smile that once belonged to me.
22:56Even his parents smiled.
23:00If it weren't for Bianca.
23:02His mother said proudly.
23:04The Moretti family would have no heir to carry our name.
23:09Luca, promise me you'll take good care of her.
23:13When have I ever treated her badly?
23:16Whatever Valona has, Bianca has too.
23:19Jewelry.
23:20Clothes.
23:21Everything.
23:22Something in me snapped.
23:26Every sweet word he'd ever said.
23:29Every kiss.
23:30Every vow.
23:31They all exploded inside me, leaving only ashes.
23:37Goodbye, Luca Moretti.
23:38Never again.
23:40Goodbye, Luca Moretti.
24:04Never again.
24:04I looked back.
24:05I looked back one last time.
24:10He was laughing.
24:12His arm around her shoulders.
24:16Goodbye, Luca Moretti.
24:18Never again.
24:24A few hours later, while he played with the twins, his phone rang.
24:42Mr. Moretti.
24:43His assistant's voice stammered.
24:46Your wife's jet.
24:47It went down, just past the Atlantic border.
24:50There are no survivors.
24:57Luka froze.
24:58The color drained from his face.
25:02What did you just say?
25:04We believe Mrs. Moretti has...
25:07No!
25:10I felt the world tilt beneath me before my body hit the ground.
25:14Voices blurred.
25:16Luca!
25:17Someone shouted my name.
25:20Valeria couldn't be gone.
25:22She couldn't.
25:23I forced myself up, stumbled out of the mansion, and half ran toward the garage.
25:28The moment I got into the car, I saw the envelope she'd left on the passenger seat.
25:33The one she told me to open in two days.
25:35My chest seized.
25:37I could barely breathe.
25:42Why did I ever agree to let her fly alone?
25:45Because I'd been distracted.
25:47Too busy throwing a birthday party for Bianca's twins.
25:52The twins I should never have had.
25:57The search went on for two full days.
26:00The Moretti family sent rescue teams, helicopters, ships.
26:04Every mile of the Atlantic within hundreds of miles was scanned.
26:09No survivors.
26:11Mr. Moretti, when a private jet goes down over open ocean, survival is nearly impossible.
26:19We believe Mrs. Moretti has...
26:24Shut up!
26:27Don't you dare say it!
26:29Don't you fucking say she's dead!
26:32She's not!
26:33She's not dead!
26:41It took two men to pull me off him.
26:44Then silence.
26:46Only the sound of waves outside the hangar.
26:57Today's our anniversary.
26:59She said she'd be back before sunset.
27:12I had planned a celebration.
27:14Now it was a funeral.
27:18I couldn't stay there any longer.
27:20I went back to the chapel where we'd been married.
27:28Our wedding photo hung above the altar.
27:31Her smile frozen in time.
27:34The moment I saw it, my chest cracked open again.
27:47While she was dying in the sky, I was drinking champagne with another woman.
27:52The thought made me sick.
27:54That's when I noticed the envelope again.
27:56My hands shook as I opened it.
27:59Inside.
28:00Her medical report.
28:03And screenshots of the messages Bianca had sent her.
28:06The truth hit like a bullet.
28:22I was in my car, heading for Bianca's house.
28:25When she opened the door, I slammed her against the wall.
28:32I told you, you could have anything you wanted.
28:35You were never to let Valeria find out.
28:37Never to provoke her again.
28:39So tell me, Bianca, how the hell did she see those messages?
28:44I... I didn't!
28:48But her eyes darted to the papers in my hand.
28:51The pregnancy report.
28:53The screenshots.
28:55Her face went pale.
28:57She... she... she must have...
29:00She must have...
29:06My hand connected with her face before I could stop myself.
29:15I've lived in your shadow.
29:18For your two years, Luca!
29:20I bore you two children without a name or a ring!
29:25And you hit me?!
29:27This isn't all my fault!
29:29If you could have kept your damn promises, I'd have no reason to hurt her!
29:32You think you're innocent?
29:33Look in the mirror.
29:34She's gone because of you!
29:35I froze.
29:36Her voice kept ringing in my head.
29:38Because of you!
29:40Because of you!
30:12She can't be.
30:14Valerius is stronger than that.
30:26I knew her better than anyone.
30:29She wouldn't give up her life because of me.
30:34No, she'd walk away.
30:37She'd hide somewhere.
30:38I could never reach her.
30:40Because she knew me too.
30:42She knew I'd never let her go.
30:49I turned to my men.
30:51My voice was calm now.
30:53Too calm.
30:54Find her.
30:55Find everyone she's spoken to this week.
30:57I don't care what it takes.
31:06Somewhere out there, she was still breathing.
31:10And I'd tear the world apart until I found her.
31:14Small?
31:15Girl, this is blowing up!
31:20Three months later, I could finally breathe again.
31:23Not healed, but functional.
31:26Before all of this, I'd earned dual degrees in software engineering and artificial intelligence.
31:31So I started again.
31:33I built something new from scratch.
31:35A small tech project.
31:36My own brand.
31:37One night, while staring at lines of code, Clara Video called me.
31:41Valeria, are you seriously starting a company?
31:45Right now?
31:46After everything?
31:47I need this, Clara.
31:48If I stop working, I'll lose myself completely.
31:51Working kept my hands busy, my mind quiet.
31:54When the prototype was done, I hired a few local factories to help me produce it.
32:05I didn't expect anything.
32:07I just wanted to see if I could still build something that worked.
32:10The launch was quiet, but the response wasn't.
32:13A week later, Clara burst into my apartment, eyes wide with excitement, holding up her phone.
32:18Valeria!
32:19Look at this!
32:20The orders are exploding!
32:21People are actually loving it!
32:24Wait...
32:25Really?
32:26I thought it was just a small test run.
32:29Small?
32:29Girl, this is blowing up!
32:39People loved it.
32:40Orders flooded in.
32:43I'll go meet his assistant and sign everything today.
32:46You don't even have to show up.
32:48Then came investors.
32:51Offers.
32:52Partnerships.
32:53Money.
32:58But I couldn't risk being seen.
33:04If anyone recognized me, everything would crumble.
33:11So I handed the business side over to Clara.
33:14She handled the meetings, the calls, the contracts.
33:22She was my public face.
33:25I was just the shadow behind the screen.
33:37Another three months passed before Clara called me.
33:40Excitement in her voice.
33:42We've got a deal.
33:44Biggest one yet.
33:46Their CEO happens to be in town.
33:48I'll go meet his assistant and sign everything today.
33:52You don't even have to show up.
33:56I smiled for the first time in weeks.
33:59I smiled for the first time in weeks.
34:02Be careful.
34:03And don't mention me.
34:07She promised.
34:11If his memory served him right, she was Valeria's closest friend.
34:15That afternoon, she walked into the hotel where the meeting was set.
34:22But when the man across the table looked up, he froze.
34:30His name was Ryan.
34:32Luca's personal assistant.
34:40He knew that face.
34:41If his memory served him right.
34:43She was Valeria's closest friend.
34:46According to the investigation, the private jet that crashed three months ago hadn't gone down because of bad weather or
34:52engine failure.
34:53Someone had accessed its flight system remotely.
34:57That kind of digital interference wasn't something an amateur could pull off.
35:01And Clara.
35:02Clara was one of the few experts capable of doing exactly that.
35:06There was more.
35:07In the 48 hours before the crash, Valeria had made only two phone calls, both to Clara.
35:11Each call had lasted just a few minutes, both placed shortly before the jet lost contact.
35:16Piece by piece, the puzzle began to fit.
35:19The jet that fell into the Atlantic hadn't been carrying Valeria at all.
35:24It had been flown remotely.
35:27An empty shell, staged to disappear.
35:31If that was true, then Valeria had planned everything from the start.
35:35She hadn't died.
35:36She'd escaped.
35:38If Clara was here, then Valeria had to be here too.
35:45I faked my death because I wanted freedom.
35:48Ryan called Luca that night.
35:57By morning, men from the Moretti family were already following Clara.
36:03When Luca finally saw me, standing in the garden of the small townhouse I'd been renting, he stopped dead in
36:11his tracks.
36:14For a moment, neither of us moved.
36:16His eyes went red instantly, like he'd been holding his breath for months.
36:20Seven months, 214 days.
36:22He'd searched every continent, turned every ocean upside down, and yet, when we finally stood face to face, he looked
36:28terrified.
36:31Terrified that I was real.
36:32Terrified that I wasn't.
36:34And when his gaze fell to my stomach, his breath caught.
36:43Valeria.
36:46Luca.
36:47I faked my death because I wanted freedom.
36:50But since you've found me, let's make one thing clear.
36:51You and I are over.
36:53For good.
36:53Don't think you can guilt me, chase me, or wear me down until I forgive you.
36:57It won't happen.
36:58I'll take it.
37:00You can hate me, hurt me, kill me if that's what you need.
37:04I took a breath, steady but shaking inside.
37:08If you ever try to force me back, I swear, you'll lose me for good.
37:12This time for real.
37:14His face went ashen.
37:16He took a step forward, hands trembling.
37:19Valeria, please.
37:21Whatever punishment you want, I'll take it.
37:23You can hate me, hurt me, kill me if that's what you need.
37:27Just don't leave me again.
37:32I can't live without you.
37:34I pulled my hand out of his grip.
37:38I don't want your life, Luca.
37:41I just want my own back.
37:44Then I laughed.
37:46A hollow, tired sound.
37:49You already have Bianca and your perfect little family.
37:52A pair of twins, proud parents, a happy home.
37:58Isn't that enough?
38:00Why come chasing the woman you destroyed?
38:04I ended it!
38:06His voice broke.
38:10I haven't seen her since the disappeared.
38:14I swear it.
38:16Please, Valeria, give me one chance to make things right.
38:19He was already dropping to his knees, his eyes wet and desperate.
38:31I caught his wrist and yanked him back up.
38:35Perfect timing.
38:37Dinner's ready.
38:39Do you not understand plain English, Luca?
38:43I said there's no us.
38:44There never will be.
38:46Stop humiliating yourself.
38:49Stop haunting me.
38:50I can't!
38:53I can't!
38:54I can't live without you.
39:02I turned away forcing my heartbeat to steady.
39:06If you keep coming near me, you'll never see me again.
39:10Not even as a memory.
39:11He didn't answer.
39:13He just stood there crying, silently.
39:15Like the weight of his sins had finally crushed him.
39:18The next night, I came home late from work.
39:22The elevator doors opened and I smelled food.
39:25Warm, rich, familiar.
39:30For a second, I thought Clara was cooking.
39:36But when I walked into the apartment, Luca stepped out of the kitchen wearing an apron, holding a tray.
39:42Perfect timing.
39:44Dinner's ready.
39:48For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.
39:54It was a scene ripped straight from my past.
39:57The steam rising from the dishes, the scent of garlic and rosemary.
40:05It was a scene ripped straight from my past.
40:14For three years, this had been our ritual.
40:19No matter how late I worked, he'd always be home first.
40:22Waiting with dinner and that same smile.
40:26That was what I used to call happiness.
40:29But happiness doesn't survive betrayal.
40:35I picked up the nearest plate and poured the food straight into the trash.
40:41I said, my voice flat.
40:44I told you yesterday.
40:50Don't do pointless things.
40:53The color drenned from his face.
40:56His hands trembled.
40:59But a moment later, he smiled again.
41:02Too calmly.
41:06I must have gotten the flavors wrong.
41:09I'll make something else.
41:11From now on, I'll stay here and take care of you.
41:14I clenched my jaw.
41:16Luca, do I need to repeat myself?
41:19He looked at me, eyes hollow but steady.
41:21You can say it a hundred times, I won't listen.
41:24I'm not leaving.
41:25I won't give up.
41:27From now on, I'll stay here and take care of you.
41:31Then I'll leave.
41:32I snapped.
41:36You're pregnant.
41:37You shouldn't be out alone this late.
41:39He paused, voice low and broken.
41:42I'll go instead.
41:43And before I could answer, he turned, walked out, and disappeared into the night.
41:50The next morning, I woke to the sound of clattering dishes downstairs.
41:55Sleep wouldn't come back, no matter how tightly I closed my eyes.
41:59When I finally went down, Luca was already there.
42:02Sleeves rolled up, standing by the stove, pretending everything was normal.
42:06The smell of simmering tomatoes filled the kitchen.
42:09He looked up the second he heard me.
42:12Lunch is ready.
42:13You're going out?
42:14I grabbed my coat.
42:17I am.
42:25His voice softened even more.
42:30Won't you eat first?
42:33I met his gaze.
42:35Cold and steady.
42:43Then come home early tonight.
42:45Every time I see you, I lose my appetite.
42:48If I stayed here, I'd starve to death.
42:54The words hit him like a slap.
42:56He lowered his head, fingers tightening around the edge of the table.
42:59Then come home early tonight.
43:02I didn't answer.
43:03Just slammed the door hard enough to make the frame shake.
43:07Outside, the air was bright.
43:08Almost too bright.
43:10I walked without direction.
43:12Hands buried in my coat pockets.
43:13Part a knot of noise I couldn't untwistle.
43:16For years, I'd watched Clara and her boyfriend fight and make up.
43:19Over and over again.
43:22I used to wonder why people did that.
43:24Why stay in pain when leaving was an option?
43:29Now I understood.
43:31Love has inertia.
43:33Even when it ends, the heart keeps moving toward what it remembers.
43:38Even when you've decided to let go, something inside you still bleeds for what used to be.
43:47By noon, the ache in my chest had turned into something else.
43:51Sharp.
43:53Twisting.
43:54At first, I thought it was stress.
44:01Then the pain spread lower, gripping my stomach so hard I could barely stand.
44:09No.
44:11Not now.
44:14A small, fragile sound that cracked the air open.
44:18Our son.
44:20I tried to call Clara, but the phone slipped out of my hand.
44:25The next thing I heard was a familiar voice shouting my name.
44:29Valeria!
44:30Luca.
44:31I didn't even know how he found me.
44:33Maybe he'd followed me or maybe he just knew.
44:35He was already by my side, catching me before I hit the ground.
44:38His hands were shaking as he scooped me up and carried me to the car.
44:41Hold on.
44:42He whispered, voice breaking.
44:44Please just hold on.
44:46The rest blurred into chaos.
44:49The hospital lights.
44:51The doctor's voice.
44:53The sound of my own breathing echoing in my skull.
44:59Hours later, I heard the faintest cry.
45:02A heartbeat that wasn't mine.
45:08A small, fragile sound that cracked the air open.
45:12Our son.
45:18When I woke again, Luca was beside my bed, still wearing the swearing the same blood-stained shirt from the
45:25night before.
45:25His face was pale, his eyes swollen.
45:30You're okay?
45:31He said softly, like he was convincing himself.
45:35Both of you are okay.
45:38I didn't answer.
45:40I couldn't.
45:41All I could do was look at the tiny bundle in his arms, our child, sleeping peacefully against his chest.
45:48I won't bother you, I just...
45:51want to make sure you're okay.
45:54For the first time in months, I didn't feel anger.
45:59Just exhaustion.
46:02And a strange, quiet ache that didn't know which side it belonged to anymore.
46:08When we were discharged a few days later, he insisted on driving us home.
46:13I didn't fight him.
46:24I didn't have the strength.
46:31At the door, he hesitated.
46:48I'll stay downstairs.
46:52He said softly.
46:54I won't bother you, I just...
46:57want to make sure you're okay.
46:59I didn't tell him to leave.
47:00I didn't tell him to stay, either.
47:02Some things couldn't be fixed with promises or tears.
47:07Some things needed silence and time.
47:09So I let the door close between us.
47:12And for the first time, the quiet didn't feel empty.
47:17It felt like the beginning of something new.
47:19Or maybe just the end that finally stopped hurting.
47:22M nurse
47:22M.
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