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Transcript

00:00:00You taste like summer peach, sticky hands and salt.

00:00:04On the eve of my arranged marriage into a mafia family,

00:00:07someone shaved my head bald.

00:00:09The blonde hair I'd grown for 12 years,

00:00:12hair that used to fall to my waist like a waterfall, was gone.

00:00:15All that was left was a blue-tinged scalp.

00:00:18Scarlett Valenti, who went by Scar on the streets,

00:00:20wore her hair in a high ponytail,

00:00:22an electric clipper in one hand,

00:00:23grinning lazily a Nico Moretti beside her.

00:00:25Your fiancé has terrible instincts,

00:00:27such a pampered Upper East Side princess.

00:00:29Someone slipped into her penthouse suite and she didn't even notice.

00:00:32How is she supposed to be worthy of you,

00:00:34the future godfather of the Moretti family?

00:00:36The Moretti Capos and Consigliers,

00:00:39seated around the room, burst into laughter.

00:00:42Scar, that's not fair.

00:00:44Nico put that custom essential oil by her bed himself.

00:00:48Who guards against her own fiancé?

00:00:51Scarlett gave a mocking laugh and waved the clipper in her hand.

00:00:55The wedding is tomorrow.

00:00:58Let's see whether this delicate Upper East Side Barbie

00:01:02still deserves the Moretti wedding ring,

00:01:04without all that blonde hair she wears like a status symbol.

00:01:12Nico, take away her salon.

00:01:14And your fiancée's is just a poor little thing.

00:01:16As laughter filled the room,

00:01:18Nico Moretti looked at me with a thin,

00:01:19perfunctious apology on his face.

00:01:21Ava, don't be so fragile.

00:01:23In our world, weakness gets you killed.

00:01:26Scarlett and the others are just welcoming you in their own way.

00:01:28It's a test of your nerve.

00:01:30Put on a veil tomorrow and no one will know.

00:01:33Wear the veil and the wig tomorrow.

00:01:35No one will see anything wrong.

00:01:37You'll still be the Mrs. Moretti I bring home in style.

00:01:41I tried to move my limbs, still too weak to use,

00:01:44and fixed my eyes on that diffuser bottle.

00:01:47Nico had come to see me in the suite last night

00:01:49and placed it there with his own hands.

00:01:52This is a custom essential oil from Sicily

00:01:54blended with lavender and chamomile extract.

00:01:57It's the best thing for sleep.

00:02:02You'll be busy all day tomorrow,

00:02:04so get a good night's rest.

00:02:06I thought of how we had grown up together

00:02:08on New York's Upper East Side since childhood,

00:02:1020 years of memories between us.

00:02:13Never in my worst dreams did I imagine

00:02:15that oil had been laced with a powerful sedative

00:02:17meant to knock me out cold.

00:02:19When the family members in the room

00:02:20saw I was awake and silent,

00:02:22they hurried to smooth things off for Scarlett.

00:02:25Future mistress, don't be angry.

00:02:27Scar was just messing around.

00:02:29She's got restless hands.

00:02:30All of us brothers have had a taste of it.

00:02:32Future mistress, we came back from the Chicago front

00:02:34and especially for Nico's wedding.

00:02:36We just wanted to surprise you.

00:02:37I lowered my eyes to the blonde hair

00:02:39scattered across the floor.

00:02:41It had been my pride and dignity

00:02:42as the Russell family's daughter.

00:02:44And now Nico Moretti not only shattered it

00:02:47with his own hands,

00:02:48he wanted me to swallow this bloody humiliation

00:02:50and pretend nothing had happened

00:02:51just so I could become his ornament.

00:02:54A surprise?

00:02:55This is the surprise Nico Morelli prepared for me.

00:02:58Scarlett toyed with the clippers,

00:03:00raised a brow, and looked me up and down.

00:03:02I was just curious what kind of woman

00:03:04could keep our Nico thinking about her for 20 years,

00:03:07so dead set on marrying her.

00:03:10Turns out you're nothing but a spoiled little lady

00:03:12who grew up in a greenhouse

00:03:14and has never seen a street shootout.

00:03:17Everyone in the room understood what she left unsaid.

00:03:20So what Scarlett means is,

00:03:22I'm not worthy of Nico Moretti.

00:03:25Is that it?

00:03:27Ava Russell!

00:03:28Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:03:30She's been blunt like this since she was a kid.

00:03:31She has no filter.

00:03:32Why do you have to take it personal?

00:03:34As he spoke,

00:03:34he tossed a black box onto the bed.

00:03:36It hit the edge and sprang open,

00:03:38revealing an exquisite wig inside.

00:03:39Stop making a scene.

00:03:40I had this handmade Italian custom wig

00:03:42prepared especially for you.

00:03:44Scarlett was only joking.

00:03:45It's not like your hair won't grow back.

00:03:47A joke?

00:03:47What kind of joke requires

00:03:49shaving someone completely bald?

00:03:50I didn't scream.

00:03:51I didn't lose control.

00:03:52I didn't even say a word.

00:03:54I bit down hard,

00:03:55forcing myself through the lingering drug haze

00:03:56and the ache in my limbs.

00:03:57The blood of the Russell family

00:03:59and years of highborn etiquette

00:04:00did not allow me to bow my head.

00:04:02Under their stunned gazes,

00:04:03I picked up the wig,

00:04:04placed it on my head

00:04:04and carefully smoothed every shining strand.

00:04:07When the long hair fell back over my shoulders,

00:04:09I instantly became polished and noble again.

00:04:11My calmness darkened Scarlett's face

00:04:14and she cut in from the side.

00:04:15Nico is taking such good care of you.

00:04:18Whether I think you're worthy or not,

00:04:19isn't he still marrying you?

00:04:20So what are you still whining about?

00:04:22Put on a thick veil tomorrow,

00:04:24wear the wig,

00:04:25and who can tell your hair is gone?

00:04:27Stop standing there looking so pitiful.

00:04:29That weak little act is annoying.

00:04:31But from the moment I woke up until now,

00:04:33I had not shed a single tear.

00:04:36Nico, are you really gonna let her

00:04:38humiliate me like this?

00:04:41Nico sighed and came over

00:04:43as if to take my hand.

00:04:44I jerked away.

00:04:48Scar's my life and death, comrade.

00:04:50That's just how she is.

00:04:51Her mouth runs, but her heart isn't bad.

00:04:53Let's put this behind us, all right?

00:04:55Nico softened his voice again, coaxing me.

00:04:57Ava, at the end of the day,

00:04:58I'm the one who gave you the oil.

00:04:59This should be on me.

00:05:00If you want to blame someone, blame me.

00:05:02That was what he said,

00:05:03but his face carried absolute arrogance,

00:05:04as if he was certain that after loving him

00:05:06for 20 years, I could never hate him.

00:05:08I looked at his face,

00:05:09the face I had known since I was three.

00:05:11When I was 11,

00:05:12children from another family cornered me

00:05:14and tried to steal the necklace

00:05:15my mother had left me.

00:05:16Nico grabbed a baseball bat

00:05:18and charged at them.

00:05:18If anyone dared touch a single hair on my head,

00:05:21he would fight them back.

00:05:22When I was 17, just after my birthday,

00:05:24Nico graduated from West Point

00:05:26and came to my door with the family's signet ring,

00:05:28terrified someone else would win me first,

00:05:30desperate to bind me to him for life.

00:05:32When I was 20,

00:05:33Nico left for Chicago to expand the family's power.

00:05:36At the airport, he held my hand tightly,

00:05:38eyes red,

00:05:38and said that when he returned,

00:05:39he would give me a grand wedding.

00:05:41Then Nico spent four years

00:05:42fighting through Chicago's gunfire,

00:05:44while I waited quietly for him

00:05:45in the estate in New York.

00:05:46And now, that diffuser bottle still sat by the bed.

00:05:49The Sicilian citrus scent

00:05:50that once made me feel safe

00:05:51was wrapped in the sharp smell of sedatives,

00:05:54silently mocking my stupidity.

00:05:56Actually, this wasn't the first time

00:05:57I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.

00:05:59Last year, after begging my father for ages,

00:06:01I finally boarded the family jet

00:06:02and went to a safe house in Chicago to see Nico.

00:06:04But after I arrived,

00:06:05Nico showed no surprise at all.

00:06:06Instead, he spent every day in the war hoose

00:06:08with Scarlett,

00:06:09leaning over city maps and planning operations.

00:06:11Even seeing me felt like a waste of his time.

00:06:13I asked his men to announce me three times.

00:06:16Scarlett simply posted a printed sheet of paper

00:06:18on the iron door of the war room.

00:06:19It read,

00:06:20Ava, Russell, and dogs, no entry.

00:06:22Back then, I was furious and hurt.

00:06:24I fought with Nico,

00:06:25but he only told me coldly.

00:06:26Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:06:27She's just direct.

00:06:28Besides, delaying an operational briefing

00:06:30was your fault to begin with.

00:06:31That was when I knew the scale in Nico's heart

00:06:33had long since tipped beyond repair.

00:06:35Nico was still standing by the bed,

00:06:37repeating that line he thought was so affectionate.

00:06:40Ava, at the end of the day,

00:06:41I'm the one who gave you the oil.

00:06:44This should be on me.

00:06:45If you want to blame someone, blame me.

00:06:47Hearing Nico,

00:06:48Scarlett suddenly grabbed the tactical dagger on the table,

00:06:50drew the blade,

00:06:51and pressed it against her own long hair.

00:06:53It's just hair, isn't it?

00:06:54Fine, I'll shave mine too and keep you to company.

00:06:56For my partner,

00:06:57a little sacrifice is nothing.

00:06:59Don't blame Nico.

00:07:01Scarlett spoke as if she were making

00:07:02some righteous sacrifice,

00:07:04but the blade in her hand

00:07:05didn't press even the slightest bit into her hair.

00:07:08I looked at her performance and suddenly laughed.

00:07:12Then do it.

00:07:13Scarlett's hand froze.

00:07:14I leaned forward and pressed her,

00:07:16each word deliberate.

00:07:17Shave it.

00:07:18Her blade moved forward by half an inch,

00:07:20but she used no force at all.

00:07:21It didn't cut even a single strand.

00:07:23I'm doing this for my partner.

00:07:24Fine, I'll shave it.

00:07:25At that moment,

00:07:26Nico leads me forward,

00:07:27drew the beretta from his waist,

00:07:28and knocked the dagger out of Scarlett's hand with the grip.

00:07:30He looked at me,

00:07:31his face livid,

00:07:32his eyes full of rage.

00:07:33Enough!

00:07:34Ava Russell,

00:07:35you are completely out of line.

00:07:36I froze.

00:07:37Scarlett is my life and death partner,

00:07:39a comrade who would take a bullet for me

00:07:41in a street shootout.

00:07:42Why do you always have to make things hard for her?

00:07:44She fought for four years in Chicago.

00:07:46She has spilled more blood

00:07:47than you've shed tears in your entire life.

00:07:50And you?

00:07:50The moment you see another woman,

00:07:52you turn her into an imaginary enemy.

00:07:54Scarlett sees far beyond you.

00:07:56She worries about the safety of the whole family,

00:07:59about whether our brothers live or die.

00:08:01What do you have in your heart?

00:08:04Scarlett tugged at his sleeve,

00:08:05pretending to advise him.

00:08:07Nico, stop.

00:08:07She is your fiancé, after all.

00:08:09But Nico didn't stop accusing me.

00:08:11So what if she's my fiancé?

00:08:12She's been shut inside that estate for too long.

00:08:14Her world is the size of a needle tip.

00:08:16Scar was only testing you in her own way.

00:08:17I know it doesn't feel good,

00:08:19but in this line of work,

00:08:20courage and mental strength are everything.

00:08:22Why can't you get past this?

00:08:23Why force Scar to shave her head with you?

00:08:25Do you have any idea how humiliating it is

00:08:27to force someone to do that?

00:08:28I stood there,

00:08:28listening to those words

00:08:29stab straight into my heart.

00:08:31I had told myself countless times

00:08:33that it was time to let go of Nico Moretti.

00:08:35But at that moment,

00:08:36my heart still felt like it had been seized

00:08:38and crushed by a hand.

00:08:39Eva, put away your tantrums.

00:08:41The Moretti name stands for

00:08:42absolute cold blood and obedience.

00:08:44I don't need a narrow-minded, bitter woman

00:08:46who haggles over a few strands of hair.

00:08:48Reflect on yourself.

00:08:50After that, he left the suite with several men

00:08:53without waiting for my answer.

00:08:54The instant everyone left,

00:08:56the strength I had been forcing myself to hold on to

00:08:58seemed to drain out of me all at once.

00:09:00A dense, suffocating pain spread through my veins

00:09:03and into every limb.

00:09:05I looked at that brilliant patch of gold on the floor

00:09:08and suddenly realized,

00:09:09I truly hated Nico Moretti now.

00:09:12I raised my hand,

00:09:13pulled off that heavy, ridiculous wig

00:09:15and threw it aside,

00:09:16letting my blue-tinted scalp be exposed to the air again.

00:09:18when footsteps sounded outside the suite door.

00:09:23Darling, tomorrow is your big day.

00:09:25I asked the kitchen to make you...

00:09:27When my mother pushed the door open,

00:09:29she was still holding a cup of black coffee.

00:09:31The cup in her hand crashed to the floor,

00:09:33spilling hot coffee everywhere.

00:09:35My mother stared at my bald head.

00:09:37Her eyes went wide

00:09:38and her voice shook beyond control.

00:09:40Your... your hair?

00:09:41She looked down and saw the long hair

00:09:43scattered across the floor.

00:09:45Panic overtook her.

00:09:46What... what happened?

00:09:47Who did this?

00:09:48My hearing was sharp.

00:09:50I heard Scarlet outside the fire exit,

00:09:52unable to suppress a soft laugh.

00:09:54Mom, it's alright.

00:09:55I held my mother's violently shaking hands

00:09:57and comforted her softly.

00:09:58My mother's tears fell instantly.

00:10:01The wedding is tomorrow.

00:10:02How are you supposed to face anyone like this?

00:10:03All of New York society is watching.

00:10:05What are we supposed to tell the Morettis?

00:10:07I looked into her eyes

00:10:08and said each word clearly.

00:10:10Mom,

00:10:11I messaged Damien Costell.

00:10:13I'm changing the groom.

00:10:16On the eve of my arranged marriage

00:10:18into a mafia family,

00:10:19someone shaved my head bald.

00:10:21The blonde hair I'd grown for 12 years,

00:10:23hair that used to fall to my waist

00:10:25like a waterfall,

00:10:26was gone.

00:10:27All that was left

00:10:28was a blue-tinged scalp.

00:10:29Scarlet Valenti,

00:10:30who went by Scar on the streets,

00:10:32wore her hair in a high ponytail,

00:10:34an electric clipper in one hand,

00:10:35grinning lazily

00:10:36and Nico Moretti beside her.

00:10:37Your fiancé has terrible instincts.

00:10:39Such a pampered Upper East Side princess.

00:10:41Someone slipped into her penthouse suite

00:10:43and she didn't even notice.

00:10:44How is she supposed to be worthy of you,

00:10:46the future godfather

00:10:47of the Moretti family?

00:10:48The Moretti Capos

00:10:49and Consigliers,

00:10:50seated around the room,

00:10:52burst into laughter.

00:10:54Scar,

00:10:54that's not fair.

00:10:56Nico put that custom essential oil

00:10:58by her bed himself.

00:10:59Who guards against her own fiancé?

00:11:03Scarlet gave a mocking laugh

00:11:04and waved the clipper in her hand.

00:11:07The wedding is tomorrow.

00:11:10Let's see whether this delicate

00:11:12Upper East Side Barbie

00:11:14still deserves the Moretti wedding ring

00:11:16without all that blonde hair

00:11:18she wears like a status symbol.

00:11:22Nico,

00:11:24take away her salon.

00:11:26And your fiancée's

00:11:26is just a poor little thing.

00:11:28As laughter filled the room,

00:11:29Nico Moretti looked at me

00:11:30with a thin,

00:11:31perfuctious apology on his face.

00:11:33Ava, don't be so fragile.

00:11:35In our world,

00:11:36weakness gets you killed.

00:11:38Scarlet and the others

00:11:38are just welcoming you

00:11:39in their own way.

00:11:40It's a test of your nerve.

00:11:42Put on a veil tomorrow

00:11:43and no one will know.

00:11:45Wear the veil

00:11:46and the wig tomorrow.

00:11:47No one will see anything wrong.

00:11:49You'll still be the Mrs. Moretti

00:11:50I bring home in style.

00:11:53I tried to move my limbs,

00:11:54still too weak to use,

00:11:56and fix my eyes

00:11:57on that diffuser bottle.

00:11:58Nico had come to see me

00:12:00in the suite last night

00:12:01and placed it there

00:12:01with his own hands.

00:12:03This is a custom essential oil

00:12:05from Sicily

00:12:06blended with lavender

00:12:07and chamomile extract.

00:12:08In fact, it's the best thing

00:12:10for sleep.

00:12:13You'll be busy all day tomorrow,

00:12:15so get a good night's rest.

00:12:17I thought of how we had

00:12:19grown up together

00:12:19on New York's Upper East Side

00:12:21since childhood,

00:12:2220 years of memories

00:12:23between us.

00:12:24Never in my worst dreams

00:12:26did I imagine that oil

00:12:27had been laced

00:12:28with a powerful sedative

00:12:29meant to knock me out cold.

00:12:30When the family members

00:12:31in the room

00:12:32saw I was awake

00:12:33and silent,

00:12:34they hurried

00:12:35to smooth things off

00:12:36for Scarlet.

00:12:37Future mistress,

00:12:38don't be angry.

00:12:39Scar was just messing around.

00:12:41She's got restless hands.

00:12:42All of us brothers

00:12:42have had a taste of it.

00:12:44Future mistress,

00:12:45we came back

00:12:45from the Chicago front

00:12:46especially for Nico's wedding.

00:12:48We just wanted

00:12:48to surprise you.

00:12:49I lowered my eyes

00:12:50to the blonde hair

00:12:51scattered across the floor.

00:12:53It had been my pride

00:12:54and dignity

00:12:54as the Russell family's daughter.

00:12:56And now Nico Moretti

00:12:57not only shattered it

00:12:58with his own hands,

00:12:59he wanted me to swallow

00:13:00this bloody humiliation

00:13:02and pretend nothing had happened

00:13:03just so I could become

00:13:04his ornament.

00:13:05A surprise?

00:13:07This is the surprise

00:13:08Nico Morelli prepared for me.

00:13:10Scarlet toyed with the clippers,

00:13:12raised a brow,

00:13:13and looked me up and down.

00:13:14I was just curious

00:13:15what kind of woman

00:13:16could keep our Nico

00:13:17thinking about her

00:13:18for 20 years,

00:13:19so dead set on marrying her.

00:13:22Turns out you're nothing

00:13:23but a spoiled little lady

00:13:24who grew up

00:13:25in a greenhouse

00:13:26and has never seen

00:13:27a street shootout.

00:13:29Everyone in the room

00:13:30understood what she left unsaid.

00:13:32So what Scarlet means is

00:13:34I'm not worthy of Nico Moretti.

00:13:37Is that it?

00:13:39Ava Russell!

00:13:40Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:13:41She's been blunt like this

00:13:42since she was a kid.

00:13:43She has no filter.

00:13:44Why do you have to

00:13:45take it personally?

00:13:45As he spoke,

00:13:46he tossed a black box

00:13:47onto the bed.

00:13:48It hit the edge

00:13:48and sprang open,

00:13:49revealing an exquisite wig inside.

00:13:51Stop making a scene.

00:13:52I had this handmade

00:13:53Italian custom wig

00:13:54prepared especially for you.

00:13:55Scarlet was only joking.

00:13:56It's not like your hair

00:13:57won't grow back.

00:13:58A joke?

00:13:59What kind of joke

00:14:00requires shaving

00:14:01someone completely bald?

00:14:02I didn't scream.

00:14:03I didn't lose control.

00:14:04I didn't even say a word.

00:14:05I bit down hard,

00:14:06forcing myself

00:14:07through the lingering

00:14:07drug haze

00:14:08and the ache in my limbs.

00:14:09The blood of the Russell family

00:14:10and years of highborn etiquette

00:14:12did not allow me

00:14:12to bow my head.

00:14:13Under their stunned gazes,

00:14:14I picked up the wig,

00:14:15placed it on my head

00:14:16and carefully smoothed

00:14:17every shining strand.

00:14:18When the long hair

00:14:19fell back over my shoulders,

00:14:20I instantly became

00:14:21polished and noble again.

00:14:23My calmness darkened

00:14:24Scarlet's face

00:14:25and she cut in from the side.

00:14:27Nico is taking

00:14:27such good care of you.

00:14:29Whether I think

00:14:30you're worthy or not,

00:14:31isn't he still marrying you?

00:14:32So what are you still

00:14:33whining about?

00:14:34Put on a thick veil tomorrow,

00:14:36wear the wig,

00:14:36and who can tell

00:14:37your hair is gone?

00:14:38Stop standing there

00:14:39looking so pitiful.

00:14:40That weak little act

00:14:42is annoying.

00:14:42But from the moment

00:14:43I woke up until now,

00:14:44I had not shed

00:14:45a single tear.

00:14:48Nico, are you really

00:14:49gonna let her

00:14:49humiliate me like this?

00:14:53Nico sighed

00:14:54and came over

00:14:55as if to take my hand.

00:14:56I jerked away.

00:15:00Scar's my life

00:15:01and death comrade.

00:15:02That's just how she is.

00:15:03Her mouth runs,

00:15:03but her heart isn't bad.

00:15:05Let's put this behind us,

00:15:06alright?

00:15:06Nico softened his voice again,

00:15:08coaxing me.

00:15:09Ava, at the end of the day,

00:15:10I'm the one who gave you

00:15:10the oil.

00:15:11This should be on me.

00:15:12If you want to blame someone,

00:15:13blame me.

00:15:13That was what he said,

00:15:14but his face carried

00:15:15absolute arrogance

00:15:16as if he was certain

00:15:17that after loving him

00:15:18for 20 years,

00:15:19I could never hate him.

00:15:20I looked at his face,

00:15:21the face I had known

00:15:21since I was three.

00:15:22When I was 11,

00:15:24children from another family

00:15:25cornered me

00:15:25and tried to steal the necklace

00:15:27my mother had left me.

00:15:28Nico grabbed a baseball bat

00:15:29and charged at them.

00:15:30If anyone dared touch

00:15:31a single hair on my head,

00:15:33he would fight them back.

00:15:34When I was 17,

00:15:35just after my birthday,

00:15:36Nico graduated from West Point

00:15:37and came to my door

00:15:38with the family's signet ring,

00:15:40terrified someone else

00:15:41would win me first,

00:15:42desperate to bind me

00:15:43to him for life.

00:15:44When I was 20,

00:15:45Nico left for Chicago

00:15:46to expand the family's power.

00:15:47At the airport,

00:15:48he held my hand tightly,

00:15:49eyes red,

00:15:50and said that when he returned,

00:15:51he would give me a grand wedding.

00:15:53Then Nico spent four years

00:15:54fighting through Chicago's gunfire

00:15:55while I waited quietly for him

00:15:57in the estate in New York.

00:15:58And now,

00:15:59that diffuser bottle

00:15:59still sat by the bed.

00:16:01The Sicilian citrus scent

00:16:02that once made me feel safe

00:16:03was wrapped in the sharp smell

00:16:05of sedatives,

00:16:05silently mocking my stupidity.

00:16:07Actually,

00:16:08this wasn't the first time

00:16:09I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.

00:16:11Last year,

00:16:11after begging my father for ages,

00:16:13I finally boarded the family jet

00:16:14and went to a safe house

00:16:15in Chicago to see Nico.

00:16:16But after I arrived,

00:16:17Nico showed no surprise at all.

00:16:18Instead,

00:16:18he spent every day

00:16:19in the war hoose with Scarlett,

00:16:20leaning over city maps

00:16:21and planning operations.

00:16:23Even seeing me

00:16:23felt like a waste of his time.

00:16:25I asked his men

00:16:25to announce me three times.

00:16:27Scarlett simply posted

00:16:28a printed sheet of paper

00:16:29on the iron door

00:16:30of the war room.

00:16:31It read,

00:16:31Ava Russell and dogs,

00:16:33no entry.

00:16:34Back then,

00:16:34I was furious and hurt.

00:16:36I fought with Nico,

00:16:37but he only told me coldly.

00:16:38Scar doesn't mean any harm,

00:16:39she's just direct.

00:16:40Besides,

00:16:40delaying an operational briefing

00:16:41was your fault to begin with.

00:16:43That was when I knew

00:16:44the scale in Nico's heart

00:16:45had long since tipped

00:16:46beyond repair.

00:16:47Nico was still standing

00:16:48by the bed,

00:16:49repeating that line

00:16:50he thought was so affectionate.

00:16:52Ava,

00:16:52at the end of the day,

00:16:53I'm the one

00:16:54who gave you the oil.

00:16:56This should be on me.

00:16:57If you want to blame someone,

00:16:58blame me.

00:16:58Hearing Nico,

00:16:59Scarlett suddenly grabbed

00:17:00the tactical dagger

00:17:01on the table,

00:17:02drew the blade,

00:17:03and pressed it

00:17:03against her own long hair.

00:17:04It's just hair,

00:17:05isn't it?

00:17:05Fine,

00:17:06I'll shave mine too

00:17:07and keep you to company.

00:17:08For my partner,

00:17:09a little sacrifice is nothing.

00:17:11Don't blame Nico.

00:17:12Scarlett spoke

00:17:13as if she were making

00:17:14some righteous sacrifice,

00:17:16but the blade in her hand

00:17:17didn't press

00:17:18even the slightest bit

00:17:19into her hair.

00:17:20I looked at her performance

00:17:22and suddenly laughed.

00:17:23Then do it.

00:17:25Scarlett's hand froze.

00:17:26I leaned forward

00:17:27and pressed her,

00:17:28each word deliberate.

00:17:29Shave it.

00:17:29Her blade moved forward

00:17:30by half an inch,

00:17:31but she used no force at all.

00:17:33It didn't cut

00:17:33even a single strand.

00:17:35I'm doing this for my partner.

00:17:36Fine,

00:17:36I'll shave it.

00:17:37At that moment,

00:17:38Nico leads her over,

00:17:39drew the beretta

00:17:39from his waist,

00:17:40and knocked the dagger

00:17:41out of Scarlett's hand

00:17:41with the grip.

00:17:42He looked at me,

00:17:43his face livid,

00:17:43his eyes full of rage.

00:17:45Enough!

00:17:46Ava Russell,

00:17:46you are completely out of line.

00:17:48I froze.

00:17:49Scarlett is my life

00:17:50and death partner,

00:17:51a comrade who would

00:17:52take a bullet for me

00:17:53in a street shootout.

00:17:53Why do you always

00:17:54have to make things

00:17:55hard for her?

00:17:56She fought for four years

00:17:57in Chicago.

00:17:58She has spilled more blood

00:17:59than you've shed tears

00:18:00in your entire life!

00:18:01And you?

00:18:02The moment you see

00:18:03another woman,

00:18:04you turn her into

00:18:04an imaginary enemy.

00:18:06Scarlett sees far beyond you.

00:18:08She worries about the safety

00:18:09of the whole family,

00:18:10about whether our brothers

00:18:11live or die.

00:18:13What do you have

00:18:14in your heart?

00:18:15Scarlett tugged at his sleeve,

00:18:17pretending to advise him,

00:18:18Nico, stop.

00:18:19She is your fiancé after all.

00:18:21But Nico didn't stop

00:18:22accusing me.

00:18:22So what if she's my fiancé?

00:18:24She's been shut inside

00:18:24that estate for too long.

00:18:25Her world is the size

00:18:26of a needle tail.

00:18:27Scar was only testing you

00:18:28in her own way.

00:18:29I know it doesn't feel good,

00:18:30but in this line of work,

00:18:31courage and mental strength

00:18:32are everything.

00:18:33Why can't you get past this?

00:18:35Why force Scar

00:18:35to shave her head with you?

00:18:37Do you have any idea

00:18:37how humiliating it is

00:18:38to force someone to do that?

00:18:39I stood there,

00:18:40listening to those words

00:18:41stab straight into my heart.

00:18:43I had told myself

00:18:44countless times

00:18:44that it was time

00:18:45to let go of Nico Moretti,

00:18:47but at that moment,

00:18:48my heart still felt

00:18:49like it had been seized

00:18:50and crushed by a hand.

00:18:51Ava, put away your tantrums.

00:18:53The Moretti name

00:18:53stands for absolute

00:18:54cold blood and obedience.

00:18:56I don't need

00:18:56a narrow-minded bitter woman

00:18:58who haggles over

00:18:59a few strands of hair.

00:19:00Reflect on yourself.

00:19:02After that,

00:19:03he left the suite

00:19:04with several men

00:19:04without waiting for my answer.

00:19:06The instant everyone left,

00:19:08the strength I had been

00:19:09forcing myself to hold on to

00:19:10seemed to drain out of me

00:19:11all at once.

00:19:12A dense, suffocating pain

00:19:14spread through my veins

00:19:15and into every limb.

00:19:17I looked at that brilliant

00:19:18patch of gold on the floor

00:19:19and suddenly realized,

00:19:21I truly hated Nico Moretti now.

00:19:24I raised my hand,

00:19:25pulled off that heavy,

00:19:26ridiculous wig

00:19:27and threw it aside,

00:19:28letting my blue-tinted scalp

00:19:29be exposed to the air again

00:19:30when footsteps sounded

00:19:31outside the suite door.

00:19:35Darling, tomorrow is your big day.

00:19:37I asked the kitchen

00:19:38to make you...

00:19:38When my mother pushed

00:19:40the door open,

00:19:41she was still holding

00:19:41a cup of black coffee.

00:19:43The cup in her hand

00:19:44crashed to the floor,

00:19:45spilling hot coffee everywhere.

00:19:47My mother stared

00:19:47at my bald head.

00:19:48Her eyes went wide

00:19:49and her voice shook

00:19:50beyond control.

00:19:52Your... your hair?

00:19:53She looked down

00:19:54and saw the long hair

00:19:55scattered across the floor.

00:19:56Panic overtook her.

00:19:57What... what happened?

00:19:59Who did this?

00:20:00My hearing was sharp.

00:20:01I heard Scarlet

00:20:02outside the fire exit,

00:20:04unable to suppress

00:20:04a soft laugh.

00:20:05Mom, it's all right.

00:20:06I held my mother's

00:20:07violently shaking hands

00:20:08and comforted her softly.

00:20:10My mother's tears

00:20:11fell instantly.

00:20:12The wedding is tomorrow.

00:20:13How are you supposed

00:20:14to face anyone like this?

00:20:15All of New York society

00:20:16is watching.

00:20:17What are we supposed

00:20:17to tell the Morettis?

00:20:19I looked into her eyes

00:20:20and said each word clearly.

00:20:22Mom,

00:20:23I messaged Damien Costell.

00:20:25I'm changing the groom.

00:20:33On the eve of my arranged marriage

00:20:34into a mafia family,

00:20:36someone shaved my head bald.

00:20:38The blonde hair

00:20:38I'd grown for 12 years,

00:20:40hair that used to fall

00:20:41to my waist

00:20:42like a waterfall,

00:20:43was gone.

00:20:44All that was left

00:20:44was a blue-tinged scalp.

00:20:46Scarlet Valenti,

00:20:47who went by Scar

00:20:48on the streets,

00:20:49wore her hair

00:20:49in a high ponytail,

00:20:50an electric clipper

00:20:51in one hand,

00:20:52grinning lazily

00:20:52a Nico Moretti beside her.

00:20:54Your fiancé has terrible instincts.

00:20:56Such a pampered

00:20:56Upper East Side princess.

00:20:58Someone slipped

00:20:58into her penthouse suite

00:20:59and she didn't even notice.

00:21:01How is she supposed

00:21:02to be worthy of you,

00:21:03the future godfather

00:21:04of the Moretti family?

00:21:05The Moretti Capos

00:21:06and Consigliers,

00:21:07seated around the room,

00:21:08burst into laughter.

00:21:11Scar,

00:21:11that's not fair.

00:21:13Nico put that

00:21:13custom essential oil

00:21:14by her bed himself.

00:21:16Who guards

00:21:17against her own fiancé?

00:21:19Scarlet gave a mocking laugh

00:21:21and waved the clipper

00:21:22in her hand.

00:21:24The wedding is tomorrow.

00:21:27Let's see whether

00:21:28this delicate

00:21:29Upper East Side Barbie

00:21:30still deserves

00:21:31the Moretti wedding ring

00:21:33without all that

00:21:34blonde hair she wears

00:21:35like a status symbol.

00:21:39Nico,

00:21:41take away her salon.

00:21:42And your fiancée

00:21:43is just a poor little thing.

00:21:44As laughter filled the room,

00:21:46Nico Moretti looked at me

00:21:47with a thin,

00:21:48perfuctious apology

00:21:49on his face.

00:21:50Ava,

00:21:50don't be so fragile.

00:21:52In our world,

00:21:53weakness gets you killed.

00:21:54Scarlet and the others

00:21:55are just welcoming you

00:21:56in their own way.

00:21:57It's a test of your nerve.

00:21:59Put on a veil tomorrow

00:22:00and no one will know.

00:22:02Wear the veil

00:22:02and the wig tomorrow.

00:22:04No one will see

00:22:05anything wrong.

00:22:06You'll still be

00:22:06the Mrs. Moretti

00:22:07I bring home in style.

00:22:09I tried to move my limbs,

00:22:11still too weak to use,

00:22:12and fixed my eyes

00:22:13on that diffuser bottle.

00:22:15Nico had come to see me

00:22:16in the suite last night

00:22:17and placed it there

00:22:18with his own hands.

00:22:20This is a custom essential oil

00:22:22from Sicily

00:22:23blended with lavender

00:22:24and chamomile extract.

00:22:26It's the best thing

00:22:27for sleep.

00:22:30You'll be busy all day tomorrow,

00:22:32so get a good night's rest.

00:22:34I thought of how we had

00:22:35grown up together

00:22:36on New York's Upper East Side

00:22:38since childhood,

00:22:3920 years of memories

00:22:40between us.

00:22:41Never in my worst dreams

00:22:42did I imagine that oil

00:22:44had been laced

00:22:44with a powerful sedative

00:22:45meant to knock me out cold.

00:22:47When the family members

00:22:48in the room

00:22:49saw I was awake

00:22:50and silent,

00:22:51they hurried

00:22:52to smooth things off

00:22:53for Scarlet.

00:22:54Future mistress,

00:22:55don't be angry.

00:22:56Scar was just messing around.

00:22:57She's got restless hands.

00:22:59All of us brothers

00:22:59have had a taste of it.

00:23:00Future mistress,

00:23:01we came back

00:23:02from the Chicago front

00:23:03especially for Nico's wedding.

00:23:04We just wanted to surprise you.

00:23:06I lowered my eyes

00:23:07to the blonde hair

00:23:08scattered across the floor.

00:23:09It had been my pride

00:23:10and dignity

00:23:11as the Russell family's daughter.

00:23:13And now Nico Moretti

00:23:14not only shattered it

00:23:15with his own hands,

00:23:16he wanted me to swallow

00:23:17this bloody humiliation

00:23:18and pretend nothing had happened

00:23:20just so I could become

00:23:21his ornament.

00:23:22A surprise?

00:23:23This is the surprise

00:23:25Nico Morelli prepared for me.

00:23:26Scarlet toyed with the clippers,

00:23:29raised a brow,

00:23:29and looked me up and down.

00:23:31I was just curious

00:23:32what kind of woman

00:23:33could keep our Nico

00:23:34thinking about her

00:23:35for 20 years

00:23:35so dead set on marrying her.

00:23:38Turns out you're nothing

00:23:39but a spoiled little lady

00:23:41who grew up in a greenhouse

00:23:43and has never seen

00:23:44a street shootout.

00:23:45Everyone in the room

00:23:46understood what she left unsaid.

00:23:49So what Scarlet means is

00:23:51I'm not worthy of Nico Moretti.

00:23:54Is that it?

00:23:56Ava Russell!

00:23:57Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:23:58She's been blunt like this

00:23:59since she was a kid.

00:24:00She has no filter.

00:24:01Why do you have to take it personally?

00:24:02As he spoke,

00:24:03he tossed a black box

00:24:04onto the bed.

00:24:05It hit the edge

00:24:05and sprang open,

00:24:06revealing an exquisite wig inside.

00:24:08Stop making a scene.

00:24:09I had this handmade

00:24:10Italian custom wig

00:24:11prepared especially for you.

00:24:12Scarlet was only joking.

00:24:13It's not like

00:24:13your hair won't grow back.

00:24:15A joke?

00:24:16What kind of joke

00:24:17requires shaving

00:24:17someone completely bald?

00:24:19I didn't scream.

00:24:20I didn't lose control.

00:24:21I didn't even say a word.

00:24:22I bit down hard,

00:24:23forcing myself

00:24:24through the lingering

00:24:24drug haze

00:24:25and the ache in my limbs.

00:24:26The blood of the Russell family

00:24:27and years of highborn etiquette

00:24:28did not allow me

00:24:29to bow my head.

00:24:30Under their stunned gazes,

00:24:31I picked up the wig,

00:24:32placed it on my head

00:24:33and carefully smoothed

00:24:34every shining strand.

00:24:35When the long hair

00:24:36fell back over my shoulders,

00:24:37I instantly became

00:24:38polished and noble again.

00:24:40My calmness darkened

00:24:41Scarlet's face

00:24:42and she cut in from the side.

00:24:44Nuko is taking

00:24:44such good care of you.

00:24:46Whether I think

00:24:47you're worthy or not,

00:24:48isn't he still marrying you?

00:24:49So what are you

00:24:49still whining about?

00:24:51Put on a thick veil tomorrow,

00:24:53wear the wig

00:24:53and who can tell

00:24:54your hair is gone?

00:24:55Stop standing there

00:24:56looking so pitiful.

00:24:57That weak little act

00:24:58is annoying.

00:24:59But from the moment

00:25:00I woke up until now,

00:25:01I had not shed

00:25:02a single tear.

00:25:05Niko, are you really

00:25:06gonna let her

00:25:06humiliate me like this?

00:25:10Niko sighed

00:25:11and came over

00:25:11as if to take my hand.

00:25:13I jerked away.

00:25:17Scar's my life

00:25:17and death, comrade.

00:25:18That's just how she is.

00:25:19Her mouth runs

00:25:20but her heart isn't bad.

00:25:22Let's put this behind us,

00:25:23alright?

00:25:23Niko softened his voice again,

00:25:25coaxing me.

00:25:25Ava, at the end of the day,

00:25:26I'm the one who gave you the oil.

00:25:28This should be on me.

00:25:28If you want to blame someone,

00:25:29blame me.

00:25:30That was what he said

00:25:31but his face carried

00:25:32absolute arrogance

00:25:33as if he was certain

00:25:34that after loving him

00:25:35for 20 years,

00:25:36I could never hate him.

00:25:36I looked at his face,

00:25:37the face I had known

00:25:38since I was three.

00:25:39When I was 11,

00:25:40children from another family

00:25:42cornered me

00:25:42and tried to steal the necklace

00:25:43my mother had left me.

00:25:45Niko grabbed a baseball bat

00:25:46and charged at them.

00:25:47If anyone dared

00:25:48touch a single hair

00:25:49on my head,

00:25:50he would fight them back.

00:25:51When I was 17,

00:25:52just after my birthday,

00:25:53Niko graduated from West Point

00:25:54and came to my door

00:25:55with the family's signet ring,

00:25:57terrified someone else

00:25:58would win me first,

00:25:59desperate to bind me

00:26:00to him for life.

00:26:01When I was 20,

00:26:02Niko left for Chicago

00:26:03to expand the family's power.

00:26:04At the airport,

00:26:05he held my hand tightly,

00:26:06eyes red,

00:26:07and said that when he returned,

00:26:08he would give me

00:26:08a grand wedding.

00:26:09Then Niko spent four years

00:26:11fighting through Chicago's gunfire

00:26:12while I waited quietly for him

00:26:14in the estate in New York.

00:26:15And now,

00:26:15that diffuser bottle

00:26:16still sat by the bed.

00:26:17The Sicilian citrus scent

00:26:19that once made me feel safe

00:26:20was wrapped in the sharp smell

00:26:21of sedatives,

00:26:22silently mocking my stupidity.

00:26:24Actually,

00:26:25this wasn't the first time

00:26:26I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.

00:26:27Last year,

00:26:28after begging my father

00:26:29for ages,

00:26:29I finally boarded the family jet

00:26:31and went to a safe house

00:26:31in Chicago to see Niko.

00:26:33But after I arrived,

00:26:34Niko showed no surprise at all.

00:26:35Instead,

00:26:35he spent every day

00:26:36in the war hoose

00:26:36with Scarlett,

00:26:37leaning over city maps

00:26:38and planning operations.

00:26:39Even seeing me

00:26:40felt like a waste of his time.

00:26:41I asked his men

00:26:42to announce me three times.

00:26:44Scarlett simply posted

00:26:45a printed sheet of paper

00:26:46on the iron door

00:26:47of the war room.

00:26:48It read,

00:26:49Ava Russell and dogs,

00:26:50no entry.

00:26:51Back then,

00:26:51I was furious and hurt.

00:26:52I fought with Niko,

00:26:53but he only told me coldly.

00:26:54Scar doesn't mean any harm,

00:26:56she's just direct.

00:26:57Besides,

00:26:57delaying an operational briefing

00:26:58was your fault

00:26:59to begin with.

00:27:00That was when I knew

00:27:00the scale in Niko's heart

00:27:02had long since tipped

00:27:03beyond repair.

00:27:04Niko was still standing

00:27:05by the bed,

00:27:05repeating that line

00:27:07he thought was so affectionate.

00:27:08Ava,

00:27:09at the end of the day,

00:27:10I'm the one

00:27:11who gave you the oil.

00:27:12This should be on me.

00:27:13If you want to blame someone,

00:27:15blame me.

00:27:15Hearing Niko,

00:27:16Scarlett suddenly grabbed

00:27:17the tactical dagger

00:27:18on the table,

00:27:19drew the blade,

00:27:19and pressed it

00:27:20against her own long hair.

00:27:21It's just hair,

00:27:22isn't it?

00:27:22Fine,

00:27:23I'll shave mine too

00:27:23and keep you to company.

00:27:24For my partner,

00:27:25a little sacrifice

00:27:26is nothing.

00:27:27Don't blame Niko.

00:27:29Scarlett spoke

00:27:30as if she were making

00:27:31some righteous sacrifice,

00:27:33but the blade in her hand

00:27:34didn't press

00:27:34even the slightest bit

00:27:35into her hair.

00:27:37I looked at her performance

00:27:38and suddenly laughed.

00:27:40Then do it.

00:27:42Scarlett's hand froze.

00:27:43I leaned forward

00:27:44and pressed her,

00:27:44each word deliberate.

00:27:45Shave it.

00:27:46Her blade moved forward

00:27:47by half an inch,

00:27:48but she used no force at all.

00:27:50It didn't cut

00:27:50even a single strand.

00:27:52I'm doing this

00:27:52for my partner.

00:27:53Fine,

00:27:53I'll shave it.

00:27:54At that moment,

00:27:55Niko leads forward,

00:27:56drew the beretta

00:27:56from his waist,

00:27:57and knocked the dagger

00:27:57out of Scarlett's hand

00:27:58with the grip.

00:27:59He looked at me,

00:27:59his face livid,

00:28:00his eyes full of rage.

00:28:01Enough!

00:28:02Ava Russell,

00:28:03you are completely out of line.

00:28:05I froze.

00:28:06Scarlett is my life

00:28:07and death partner,

00:28:08a comrade who would

00:28:09take a bullet for me

00:28:09in a street shootout.

00:28:10Why do you always

00:28:11have to make things

00:28:12hard for her?

00:28:12She fought for four years

00:28:14in Chicago.

00:28:15She has spilled more blood

00:28:16than you've shed tears

00:28:16in your entire life.

00:28:18And you?

00:28:19The moment you see

00:28:20another woman,

00:28:20you turn her into

00:28:21an imaginary enemy.

00:28:22Scarlett sees far

00:28:23beyond you.

00:28:24She worries about

00:28:25the safety of the whole family,

00:28:27about whether our brothers

00:28:28live or die.

00:28:30What do you have

00:28:31in your heart?

00:28:32Scarlett tugged

00:28:33at his sleeve,

00:28:34pretending to advise him.

00:28:35Nico, stop.

00:28:36She is your fiancé after all.

00:28:38But Nico didn't

00:28:38stop accusing me.

00:28:39So what if she's my fiancé?

00:28:40She's been shut

00:28:41inside that estate

00:28:41for too long.

00:28:42Her world is the size

00:28:43of a needle tip.

00:28:44Scar was only testing you

00:28:45in her own way.

00:28:46I know it doesn't feel good,

00:28:47but in this line of work,

00:28:48courage and mental strength

00:28:49are everything.

00:28:50Why can't you get past this?

00:28:51Why force Scar

00:28:52to shave her head with you?

00:28:53Do you have any idea

00:28:54how humiliating it is

00:28:55to force someone

00:28:56to do that?

00:28:56I stood there,

00:28:57listening to those words

00:28:58stab straight into my heart.

00:28:59I had told myself

00:29:00countless times

00:29:01that it was time

00:29:02to let go of Nico Moretti,

00:29:03but at that moment,

00:29:04my heart still felt

00:29:05like it had been seized

00:29:06and crushed by a hand.

00:29:08Eva, put away your tantrums.

00:29:09The Moretti name

00:29:10stands for absolute

00:29:11cold blood and obedience.

00:29:12I don't need

00:29:13a narrow-minded,

00:29:14bitter woman

00:29:14who haggles over

00:29:15a few strands of hair.

00:29:17Reflect on yourself.

00:29:19After that,

00:29:20he left the suite

00:29:20with several men

00:29:21without waiting

00:29:22for my answer.

00:29:23The instant everyone left,

00:29:24the strength I had been

00:29:25forcing myself to hold on to

00:29:27seemed to drain out

00:29:28of me all at once.

00:29:29A dense, suffocating pain

00:29:31spread through my veins

00:29:32and into every limb.

00:29:33I looked at that

00:29:34brilliant patch of gold

00:29:36on the floor

00:29:36and suddenly realized,

00:29:38I truly hated

00:29:39Nico Moretti now.

00:29:40I raised my hand,

00:29:42pulled off that heavy,

00:29:43ridiculous wig

00:29:44and threw it aside,

00:29:44letting my blue-tinted scalp

00:29:46be exposed to the air again

00:29:47when footsteps sounded

00:29:48outside the suite door.

00:29:51Darling,

00:29:52tomorrow is your big day.

00:29:53I asked the kitchen

00:29:54to make you...

00:29:55When my mother

00:29:56pushed the door open,

00:29:57she was still holding

00:29:58a cup of black coffee.

00:29:59The cup in her hand

00:30:00crashed to the floor,

00:30:01spilling hot coffee everywhere.

00:30:03My mother stared

00:30:04at my bald head.

00:30:05Her eyes went wide

00:30:06and her voice shook

00:30:07beyond control.

00:30:08Your...

00:30:09your hair?

00:30:10She looked down

00:30:10and saw the long hair

00:30:12scattered across the floor.

00:30:13Panic overtook her.

00:30:14What...

00:30:15what happened?

00:30:16Who did this?

00:30:17My hearing was sharp.

00:30:18I heard Scarlett

00:30:19outside the fire exit,

00:30:20unable to suppress

00:30:21a soft laugh.

00:30:22Mom, it's alright.

00:30:23I held my mother's

00:30:24violently shaking hands

00:30:25and comforted her softly.

00:30:27My mother's tears

00:30:28fell instantly.

00:30:29The wedding is tomorrow.

00:30:30How are you supposed

00:30:31to face anyone like this?

00:30:32All of New York society

00:30:33is watching.

00:30:34What are we supposed

00:30:34to tell them already?

00:30:35I looked into her eyes

00:30:37and said each word clearly.

00:30:39Mom,

00:30:40I messaged Damien Costell.

00:30:42I'm changing the groom.

00:30:44On the eve

00:30:45of my arranged marriage

00:30:46into a mafia family,

00:30:48someone shaved my head bald.

00:30:49The blonde hair

00:30:50I'd grown for 12 years,

00:30:52hair that used to fall

00:30:53to my waist

00:30:53like a waterfall,

00:30:54was gone.

00:30:55All that was left

00:30:56was a blue-tinged scalp.

00:30:58Scarlett Valenti,

00:30:59who went by Scar

00:31:00on the streets,

00:31:00wore her hair

00:31:01in a high ponytail,

00:31:02an electric clipper

00:31:03in one hand,

00:31:04grinning lazily

00:31:04a Nico Moretti beside her.

00:31:06Your fiancé has

00:31:06terrible instincts.

00:31:08Such a pampered

00:31:08Upper East Side princess.

00:31:10Someone slipped

00:31:10into her penthouse suite

00:31:11and she didn't even notice.

00:31:12How is she supposed

00:31:13to be worthy of you,

00:31:14the future godfather

00:31:15of the Moretti family?

00:31:17The Moretti capos

00:31:18and consigliers,

00:31:19seated around the room,

00:31:20burst into laughter.

00:31:22Scar,

00:31:23that's not fair.

00:31:24Nico put that

00:31:25custom essential oil

00:31:26by her bed himself.

00:31:28Who guards

00:31:29against her own fiancé?

00:31:31Scarlett gave

00:31:32a mocking laugh

00:31:33and waved the clipper

00:31:34in her hand.

00:31:35The wedding is tomorrow.

00:31:38Let's see whether

00:31:39this delicate

00:31:40Upper East Side Barbie

00:31:42still deserves

00:31:43the Moretti wedding ring,

00:31:45without all that

00:31:46blonde hair she wears

00:31:47like a status symbol.

00:31:51Nico,

00:31:53take away her salon.

00:31:54And your fiancée's

00:31:55is just a poor little thing.

00:31:56As laughter

00:31:57filled the room,

00:31:58Nico Moretti

00:31:58looked at me

00:31:59with a thin,

00:32:00perfuctious apology

00:32:00on his face.

00:32:01Ava,

00:32:02don't be so fragile.

00:32:03In our world,

00:32:05weakness gets you killed.

00:32:06Scarlett and the others

00:32:07are just welcoming you

00:32:08in their own way.

00:32:09It's a test of your nerve.

00:32:10Put on a veil tomorrow

00:32:11and no one will know.

00:32:13Wear the veil

00:32:14and the wig tomorrow.

00:32:15No one will see

00:32:16anything wrong.

00:32:17You'll still be

00:32:18the Mrs. Moretti

00:32:19I bring home in style.

00:32:21I tried to move my limbs,

00:32:23still too weak to use,

00:32:24and fixed my eyes

00:32:25on that diffuser bottle.

00:32:27Nico had come to see me

00:32:28in the suite last night

00:32:29and placed it there

00:32:30with his own hands.

00:32:32This is a custom

00:32:33essential oil

00:32:34from Sicily

00:32:35blended with lavender

00:32:36and chamomile extract.

00:32:37It's the best thing

00:32:38for sleep.

00:32:42You'll be busy

00:32:43all day tomorrow,

00:32:43so get a good night's rest.

00:32:46I thought of how

00:32:47we had grown up together

00:32:48on New York's

00:32:49Upper East Side

00:32:49since childhood,

00:32:5020 years of memories

00:32:51between us.

00:32:53Never in my worst dreams

00:32:54did I imagine

00:32:55that oil had been laced

00:32:56with a powerful sedative

00:32:57meant to knock me out cold.

00:32:59When the family members

00:33:00in the room

00:33:00saw I was awake

00:33:01and silent,

00:33:03they hurried

00:33:03to smooth things off

00:33:04for Scarlett.

00:33:06Future mistress,

00:33:07don't be angry.

00:33:08Scar was just messing around.

00:33:09She's got restless hands.

00:33:10All of us brothers

00:33:11have had a taste of it.

00:33:12Future mistress,

00:33:13we came back

00:33:14from the Chicago front

00:33:15especially for Nico's wedding.

00:33:16We just wanted

00:33:17to surprise you.

00:33:18I lowered my eyes

00:33:19to the blonde hair

00:33:19scattered across the floor.

00:33:21It had been my pride

00:33:22and dignity

00:33:23as the Russell family's daughter.

00:33:24And now Nico Moretti

00:33:26not only shattered it

00:33:27with his own hands,

00:33:28he wanted me to swallow

00:33:29this bloody humiliation

00:33:30and pretend nothing

00:33:31had happened

00:33:31just so I could

00:33:32become his ornament.

00:33:34A surprise?

00:33:35This is the surprise

00:33:36Nico Morelli

00:33:37prepared for me.

00:33:38Scarlett toyed

00:33:39with the clippers,

00:33:40raised a brow,

00:33:41and looked me up and down.

00:33:43I was just curious

00:33:44what kind of woman

00:33:45could keep our Nico

00:33:45thinking about her

00:33:46for 20 years

00:33:47so dead set

00:33:49on marrying her.

00:33:50Turns out you're nothing

00:33:51but a spoiled little lady

00:33:53who grew up

00:33:53in a greenhouse

00:33:54and has never seen

00:33:56a street shootout.

00:33:57Everyone in the room

00:33:58understood

00:33:59what she left unsaid.

00:34:01So what Scarlett means is

00:34:03I'm not worthy

00:34:04of Nico Moretti.

00:34:06Is that it?

00:34:08Ava Russell!

00:34:09Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:34:10She's been blunt like this

00:34:11since she was a kid.

00:34:12She has no filter.

00:34:13Why do you have to

00:34:13take it personally?

00:34:14As he spoke,

00:34:15he tossed a black box

00:34:16onto the bed.

00:34:16It hit the edge

00:34:17and sprang open,

00:34:18revealing an exquisite wig inside.

00:34:20Stop making a scene.

00:34:21I had this handmade

00:34:22Italian custom wig

00:34:23prepared especially for you.

00:34:24Scarlett was only joking.

00:34:25It's not like your hair

00:34:25won't grow back.

00:34:27A joke?

00:34:28What kind of joke

00:34:28requires shaving someone

00:34:30completely bald?

00:34:30I didn't scream.

00:34:31I didn't lose control.

00:34:33I didn't even say a word.

00:34:34I bit down hard,

00:34:35forcing myself

00:34:35through the lingering

00:34:36drug haze

00:34:37and the ache in my limbs.

00:34:38The blood of the Russell family

00:34:39and years of highborn etiquette

00:34:40did not allow me

00:34:41to bow my head.

00:34:42Under their stunned gazes,

00:34:43I picked up the wig,

00:34:44placed it on my head

00:34:45and carefully smoothed

00:34:46every shining strand.

00:34:47When the long hair

00:34:47fell back over my shoulders,

00:34:49I instantly became

00:34:50polished and noble again.

00:34:52My calmness darkened

00:34:53Scarlett's face

00:34:54and she cut in from the side.

00:34:55Nico is taking

00:34:56such good care of you.

00:34:58Whether I think

00:34:59you're worthy or not,

00:34:59isn't he still marrying you?

00:35:01So what are you still

00:35:01whining about?

00:35:03Put on a thick veil tomorrow,

00:35:04wear the wig

00:35:05and who can tell

00:35:05your hair is gone?

00:35:07Stop standing there

00:35:08looking so pitiful.

00:35:09That weak little act

00:35:10is annoying.

00:35:11But from the moment

00:35:12I woke up until now,

00:35:13I had not shed

00:35:14a single tear.

00:35:16Nico,

00:35:17are you really gonna let her

00:35:18humiliate me like this?

00:35:22Nico sighed

00:35:23and came over

00:35:23as if to take my hand.

00:35:24I jerked away.

00:35:28Scar is my life

00:35:29and death comrade.

00:35:30That's just how she is.

00:35:31Her mouth runs,

00:35:32but her heart isn't bad.

00:35:33Let's put this behind us,

00:35:34alright?

00:35:35Nico softened his voice again,

00:35:36coaxing me.

00:35:37Ava,

00:35:37at the end of the day,

00:35:38I'm the one who gave you

00:35:39the oil.

00:35:39This should be on me.

00:35:40If you want to blame someone,

00:35:41blame me.

00:35:42That was what he said,

00:35:43but his face carried

00:35:44absolute arrogance,

00:35:44as if he was certain

00:35:45that after loving him

00:35:46for 20 years,

00:35:47I could never hate him.

00:35:48I looked at his face,

00:35:49the face I had known

00:35:50since I was three.

00:35:51When I was 11,

00:35:52children from another family

00:35:53cornered me

00:35:54and tried to steal the necklace

00:35:55my mother had left me.

00:35:57Nico grabbed a baseball bat

00:35:58and charged at them.

00:35:59If anyone dared touch

00:36:00a single hair on my head,

00:36:01he would fight them back.

00:36:02When I was 17,

00:36:03just after my birthday,

00:36:05Nico graduated from West Point

00:36:06and came to my door

00:36:07with the family's signet ring,

00:36:08terrified someone else

00:36:09would win me first,

00:36:11desperate to bind me

00:36:12to him for life.

00:36:12When I was 20,

00:36:13Nico left for Chicago

00:36:14to expand the family's power.

00:36:16At the airport,

00:36:17he held my hand tightly,

00:36:18eyes red,

00:36:18and said that when he returned,

00:36:20he would give me

00:36:20a grand wedding.

00:36:21Then Nico spent four years

00:36:22fighting through Chicago's gunfire

00:36:24while I waited quietly

00:36:25for him in the estate

00:36:26in New York.

00:36:27And now,

00:36:27that diffuser bottle

00:36:28still sat by the bed.

00:36:29The Sicilian citrus scent

00:36:30that once made me feel safe

00:36:32was wrapped in the sharp smell

00:36:33of sedatives,

00:36:34silently mocking my stupidity.

00:36:36Actually,

00:36:36this wasn't the first time

00:36:37I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.

00:36:39Last year,

00:36:40after begging my father for ages,

00:36:41I finally boarded the family jet

00:36:42and went to a safe house

00:36:43in Chicago to see Nico.

00:36:44But after I arrived,

00:36:45Nico showed no surprise at all.

00:36:47Instead,

00:36:47he spent every day

00:36:47in the war hoose

00:36:48with Scarlett,

00:36:49leaning over city maps

00:36:50and planning operations.

00:36:51Even seeing me

00:36:52felt like a waste of his time.

00:36:53I asked his men

00:36:54to announce me three times.

00:36:56Scarlett simply posted

00:36:57a printed sheet of paper

00:36:58on the iron door

00:36:59of the war room.

00:37:00It read,

00:37:00Ava, Russell, and dogs,

00:37:02no entry.

00:37:02Back then,

00:37:03I was furious and hurt.

00:37:04I fought with Nico,

00:37:05but he only told me coldly.

00:37:06Scar doesn't mean any harm,

00:37:07she's just direct.

00:37:08Besides,

00:37:09delaying an operational briefing

00:37:10was your fault to begin with.

00:37:11That was when I knew

00:37:12the scale in Nico's heart

00:37:13had long since tipped

00:37:14beyond repair.

00:37:15Nico was still standing

00:37:16by the bed,

00:37:17repeating that line

00:37:18he thought was so affectionate.

00:37:20Ava,

00:37:21at the end of the day,

00:37:22I'm the one who gave you the oil.

00:37:24This should be on me.

00:37:25If you want to blame someone,

00:37:26blame me.

00:37:27Hearing Nico,

00:37:28Scarlett suddenly grabbed

00:37:29the tactical dagger

00:37:30on the table,

00:37:30drew the blade,

00:37:31and pressed it

00:37:32against her own long hair.

00:37:33It's just hair, isn't it?

00:37:34Fine, I'll shave mine too

00:37:35and keep you to company.

00:37:36For my partner,

00:37:37a little sacrifice is nothing.

00:37:39Don't blame Nico.

00:37:41Scarlett spoke as if she were

00:37:42making some righteous sacrifice,

00:37:44but the blade in her hand

00:37:45didn't press even

00:37:46the slightest bit

00:37:47into her hair.

00:37:49I looked at her performance

00:37:50and suddenly laughed.

00:37:52Then do it.

00:37:54Scarlett's hand froze.

00:37:55I leaned forward

00:37:55and pressed her,

00:37:56each word deliberate.

00:37:57Shave it.

00:37:58Her blade moved forward

00:37:59by half an inch,

00:38:00but she used no force at all.

00:38:01It didn't cut

00:38:02even a single strand.

00:38:03I'm doing this for my partner.

00:38:05Fine, I'll shave it.

00:38:05At that moment,

00:38:06Nico leads forward,

00:38:07drew the beretta from his waist,

00:38:08and knocked the dagger

00:38:09out of Scarlett's hand

00:38:10with the grip.

00:38:10He looked at me,

00:38:11his face livid,

00:38:12his eyes full of rage.

00:38:13Enough!

00:38:14Ava Russell,

00:38:15you are completely out of line.

00:38:16I froze.

00:38:17Scarlett is my life

00:38:18and death partner,

00:38:19a comrade who would

00:38:20take a bullet for me

00:38:21in a street shootout.

00:38:22Why do you always

00:38:23have to make things

00:38:23hard for her?

00:38:24She fought for four years

00:38:25in Chicago.

00:38:26She has spilled more blood

00:38:27than you've shed tears

00:38:28in your entire life.

00:38:30And you?

00:38:31The moment you see

00:38:32another woman,

00:38:32you turn her into

00:38:33an imaginary enemy.

00:38:34Scarlett sees far beyond you.

00:38:36She worries about

00:38:37the safety of the whole family,

00:38:39about whether our brothers

00:38:40live or die.

00:38:41What do you have

00:38:43in your heart?

00:38:44Scarlett tugged

00:38:45at his sleeve,

00:38:46pretending to advise him.

00:38:47Nico, stop.

00:38:48She is your fiancé after all.

00:38:49But Nico didn't

00:38:50stop accusing me.

00:38:51So what if she's my fiancé?

00:38:52She's been shut

00:38:53inside that estate

00:38:53for too long.

00:38:54Her world is the size

00:38:55of a needle tip.

00:38:56Scar was only testing you

00:38:57in her own way.

00:38:58I know it doesn't feel good,

00:38:59but in this line of work,

00:39:00courage and mental strength

00:39:01are everything.

00:39:02Why can't you get past this?

00:39:03Why force Scar

00:39:04to shave her head with you?

00:39:05Do you have any idea

00:39:06how humiliating it is

00:39:07to force someone to do that?

00:39:08I stood there,

00:39:09listening to those words

00:39:10stab straight into my heart.

00:39:11I had told myself

00:39:12countless times

00:39:13that it was time

00:39:13to let go of Nico Moretti,

00:39:15but at that moment,

00:39:16my heart still felt like

00:39:17it had been seized

00:39:18and crushed by a hand.

00:39:19Ava, put away your tantrums.

00:39:21The Moretti name

00:39:22stands for

00:39:22absolute cold blood

00:39:23and obedience.

00:39:24I don't need a narrow-minded,

00:39:25bitter woman

00:39:26who haggles over

00:39:27a few strands of hair.

00:39:29Reflect on yourself.

00:39:30After that,

00:39:31he left the suite

00:39:32with several men

00:39:33without waiting for my answer.

00:39:34The instant everyone left,

00:39:36the strength I had been

00:39:37forcing myself to hold on to

00:39:39seemed to drain out of me

00:39:40all at once.

00:39:41A dense, suffocating pain

00:39:42spread through my veins

00:39:44and into every limb.

00:39:45I looked at that brilliant

00:39:47patch of gold on the floor

00:39:48and suddenly realized

00:39:50I truly hated Nico Moretti now.

00:39:52I raised my hand,

00:39:54pulled off that heavy,

00:39:54ridiculous wig

00:39:55and threw it aside,

00:39:56letting my blue-tinted scalp

00:39:57be exposed to the air again

00:39:59when footsteps sounded

00:40:00outside the suite door.

00:40:03Darling,

00:40:04tomorrow is your big day.

00:40:05I asked the kitchen

00:40:06to make you...

00:40:07When my mother

00:40:08pushed the door open,

00:40:09she was still holding

00:40:10a cup of black coffee.

00:40:11The cup in her hand

00:40:12crashed to the floor,

00:40:13spilling hot coffee everywhere.

00:40:15My mother stared

00:40:16at my bald head.

00:40:17Her eyes went wide

00:40:18and her voice shook

00:40:19beyond control.

00:40:20Your...

00:40:20your hair?

00:40:21She looked down

00:40:22and saw the long hair

00:40:23scattered across the floor.

00:40:25Panic overtook her.

00:40:26What...

00:40:27what happened?

00:40:27Who did this?

00:40:28My hearing was sharp.

00:40:30I heard Scarlet

00:40:30outside the fire exit,

00:40:32unable to suppress

00:40:33a soft laugh.

00:40:34Mom, it's all right.

00:40:35I held my mother's

00:40:36violently shaking hands

00:40:37and comforted her softly.

00:40:38My mother's tears

00:40:40fell instantly.

00:40:41The wedding is tomorrow.

00:40:42How are you supposed

00:40:42to face anyone like this?

00:40:44All of New York society

00:40:45is watching.

00:40:45What are we supposed

00:40:46to tell the Morettis?

00:40:47I looked into her eyes

00:40:48and said each word clearly.

00:40:51Mom,

00:40:52I messaged Damien Costell.

00:40:54I'm changing the groom.

00:41:01On the eve of my arranged marriage

00:41:03into a mafia family,

00:41:04someone shaved my head bald.

00:41:06The blonde hair I'd grown

00:41:07for 12 years,

00:41:08hair that used to fall

00:41:10to my waist like a waterfall,

00:41:11was gone.

00:41:12All that was left

00:41:13was a blue-tinged scalp.

00:41:15Scarlet Valenti,

00:41:16who went by Scar

00:41:16on the streets,

00:41:17wore her hair

00:41:18in a high ponytail,

00:41:19an electric clipper in one hand,

00:41:20grinning lazily

00:41:21and Nico Moretti beside her.

00:41:22Your fiancé has terrible instincts.

00:41:24Such a pampered

00:41:25Upper East Side princess.

00:41:26Someone slipped

00:41:27into her penthouse suite

00:41:28and she didn't even notice.

00:41:29How is she supposed

00:41:30to be worthy of you,

00:41:31the future godfather

00:41:32of the Moretti family?

00:41:33The Moretti capos

00:41:34and consigliers,

00:41:36seated around the room,

00:41:37burst into laughter.

00:41:39Scar, that's not fair.

00:41:41Nico put that custom essential oil

00:41:43by her bed himself,

00:41:44who guards against

00:41:46her own fiancé.

00:41:48Scarlet gave a mocking laugh

00:41:50and waved the clipper

00:41:51in her hand.

00:41:52The wedding is tomorrow.

00:41:55Let's see whether

00:41:56this delicate

00:41:57Upper East Side Barbie

00:41:59still deserves

00:42:00the Moretti wedding ring,

00:42:01without all that blonde hair

00:42:03she wears

00:42:04like a status symbol.

00:42:08Nico,

00:42:09take away her salon.

00:42:11And your fiancée

00:42:12is just a poor little thing.

00:42:13As laughter filled the room,

00:42:14Nico Moretti looked at me

00:42:15with a thin,

00:42:16perfuctious apology

00:42:17on his face.

00:42:18Ava, don't be so fragile.

00:42:20In our world,

00:42:22weakness gets you killed.

00:42:23Scarlet and the others

00:42:24are just welcoming you

00:42:25in their own way.

00:42:25It's a test of your nerve.

00:42:27Put on a veil tomorrow

00:42:28and no one will know.

00:42:30Wear the veil

00:42:31and the wig tomorrow.

00:42:32No one will see

00:42:33anything wrong.

00:42:34You'll still be

00:42:35the Mrs. Moretti

00:42:36I bring home in style.

00:42:38I tried to move my limbs,

00:42:39still too weak to use,

00:42:41and fixed my eyes

00:42:42on that diffuser bottle.

00:42:44Nico had come to see me

00:42:45in the suite last night

00:42:46and placed it there

00:42:47with his own hands.

00:42:49This is a custom essential oil

00:42:51from Sicily,

00:42:52blended with lavender

00:42:52and chamomile extract.

00:42:54It's the best thing for sleep.

00:42:59You'll be busy all day tomorrow,

00:43:01so get a good night's rest.

00:43:03I thought of how we had

00:43:04grown up together

00:43:05on New York's Upper East Side

00:43:06since childhood,

00:43:0720 years of memories

00:43:08between us.

00:43:10Never in my worst dreams

00:43:11did I imagine that oil

00:43:12had been laced

00:43:13with a powerful sedative

00:43:14meant to knock me out cold.

00:43:15When the family members

00:43:17in the room

00:43:17saw I was awake

00:43:18and silent,

00:43:19they hurried

00:43:20to smooth things off

00:43:21for Scarlet.

00:43:22Future mistress,

00:43:23don't be angry.

00:43:24Scar was just messing around.

00:43:26She's got restless hands.

00:43:27All of us brothers

00:43:28have had a taste of it.

00:43:29Future mistress,

00:43:30we came back

00:43:30from the Chicago front

00:43:31especially for Nico's wedding.

00:43:33We just wanted to surprise you.

00:43:34I lowered my eyes

00:43:35to the blonde hair

00:43:36scattered across the floor.

00:43:38It had been my pride

00:43:39and dignity

00:43:39as the Russell family's daughter.

00:43:41And now Nico Moretti

00:43:42not only shattered it

00:43:44with his own hands,

00:43:44he wanted me to swallow

00:43:46this bloody humiliation

00:43:47and pretend nothing had happened

00:43:48just so I could become

00:43:49his ornament.

00:43:51A surprise?

00:43:52This is the surprise

00:43:53Nico Morelli prepared for me.

00:43:55Scarlet toyed with the clippers,

00:43:57raised a brow,

00:43:58and looked me up and down.

00:43:59I was just curious

00:44:00what kind of woman

00:44:01could keep our Nico

00:44:02thinking about her

00:44:03for 20 years

00:44:04so dead set on marrying her.

00:44:07Turns out you're nothing

00:44:08but a spoiled little lady

00:44:09who grew up in a greenhouse

00:44:11and has never seen

00:44:12a street shootout.

00:44:14Everyone in the room

00:44:15understood what she left unsaid.

00:44:17So what Scarlet means is

00:44:19I'm not worthy of Nico Moretti.

00:44:22Is that it?

00:44:24Ava Russell!

00:44:25Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:44:26She's been blunt like this

00:44:27since she was a kid.

00:44:28She has no filter.

00:44:29Why do you have to take it personally?

00:44:31As he spoke,

00:44:31he tossed a black box

00:44:32onto the bed.

00:44:33It hit the edge

00:44:34and sprang open,

00:44:35revealing an exquisite wig inside.

00:44:36Stop making a scene.

00:44:37I had this handmade

00:44:38Italian custom wig

00:44:39prepared especially for you.

00:44:41Scarlet was only joking.

00:44:42It's not like

00:44:42your hair won't grow back.

00:44:43A joke?

00:44:44What kind of joke

00:44:45requires shaving

00:44:46someone completely bald?

00:44:47I didn't scream.

00:44:48I didn't lose control.

00:44:49I didn't even say a word.

00:44:50I bit down hard,

00:44:52forcing myself

00:44:52through the lingering drug haze

00:44:53and the ache in my limbs.

00:44:54The blood of the Russell family

00:44:56and years of highborn etiquette

00:44:57did not allow me

00:44:57to bow my head.

00:44:58Under their stunned gazes,

00:45:00I picked up the wig,

00:45:01placed it on my head

00:45:01and carefully smoothed

00:45:02every shining strand.

00:45:03When the long hair

00:45:04fell back over my shoulders,

00:45:05I instantly became

00:45:07polished and noble again.

00:45:08My calmness darkened

00:45:10Scarlet's face

00:45:10and she cut in from the side.

00:45:12Nico is taking

00:45:13such good care of you.

00:45:15Whether I think

00:45:15you're worthy or not,

00:45:16isn't he still marrying you?

00:45:17So what are you

00:45:18still whining about?

00:45:19Put on a thick veil tomorrow,

00:45:21wear the wig

00:45:22and who can tell

00:45:22your hair is gone?

00:45:24Stop standing there

00:45:24looking so pitiful.

00:45:26That weak little act

00:45:27is annoying.

00:45:28But from the moment

00:45:28I woke up until now,

00:45:30I had not shed

00:45:30a single tear.

00:45:33Nico, are you really

00:45:34gonna let her

00:45:35humiliate me like this?

00:45:38Nico sighed

00:45:39and came over

00:45:40as if to take my hand.

00:45:41I jerked away.

00:45:45Scar's my life

00:45:46and death comrade.

00:45:47That's just how she is.

00:45:48Her mouth runs

00:45:48but her heart isn't bad.

00:45:50Let's put this behind us,

00:45:51alright?

00:45:52Nico softened his voice again,

00:45:53coaxing me.

00:45:54Ava, at the end of the day,

00:45:55I'm the one who gave you the oil.

00:45:56This should be on me.

00:45:57If you want to blame someone,

00:45:58blame me.

00:45:59That was what he said

00:45:59but his face carried

00:46:00absolute arrogance

00:46:01as if he was certain

00:46:02that after loving him

00:46:03for 20 years,

00:46:04I could never hate him.

00:46:05I looked at his face,

00:46:06the face I had known

00:46:07since I was three.

00:46:07When I was 11,

00:46:09children from another family

00:46:10cornered me

00:46:11and tried to steal the necklace

00:46:12my mother had left me.

00:46:13Nico grabbed a baseball bat

00:46:14and charged at them.

00:46:15If anyone dared

00:46:16touch a single hair on my head,

00:46:18he would fight them back.

00:46:19When I was 17,

00:46:20just after my birthday,

00:46:21Nico graduated from West Point

00:46:23and came to my door

00:46:24with the family's signet ring,

00:46:25terrified someone else

00:46:26would win me first,

00:46:27desperate to bind me

00:46:28to him for life.

00:46:29When I was 20,

00:46:30Nico left for Chicago

00:46:31to expand the family's power.

00:46:32At the airport,

00:46:33he held my hand tightly,

00:46:35eyes red,

00:46:35and said that when he returned,

00:46:36he would give me

00:46:37a grand wedding.

00:46:38Then Nico spent four years

00:46:39fighting through Chicago's gunfire

00:46:40while I waited quietly for him

00:46:42in the estate in New York.

00:46:43And now,

00:46:44that diffuser bottle

00:46:45still sat by the bed.

00:46:46The Sicilian citrus scent

00:46:47that once made me feel safe

00:46:48was wrapped in the sharp smell

00:46:50of sedatives,

00:46:51silently mocking my stupidity.

00:46:53Actually,

00:46:53this wasn't the first time

00:46:54I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.

00:46:56Last year,

00:46:56after begging my father for ages,

00:46:58I finally boarded the family jet

00:46:59and went to a safe house

00:47:00in Chicago to see Nico.

00:47:01But after I arrived,

00:47:02Nico showed no surprise at all.

00:47:03Instead,

00:47:04he spent every day

00:47:04in the war hoose with Scarlett,

00:47:05leaning over city maps

00:47:06and planning operations.

00:47:08Even seeing me

00:47:08felt like a waste of his time.

00:47:10I asked his men

00:47:11to announce me three times.

00:47:12Scarlett simply posted

00:47:14a printed sheet of paper

00:47:14on the iron door

00:47:15of the war room.

00:47:16It read,

00:47:17Ava Russell and dogs,

00:47:18no entry.

00:47:19Back then,

00:47:20I was furious and hurt.

00:47:21I fought with Nico,

00:47:22but he only told me coldly.

00:47:23Scar doesn't mean any harm,

00:47:24she's just direct.

00:47:25Besides,

00:47:26delaying an operational briefing

00:47:27was your fault

00:47:27to begin with.

00:47:28That was when I knew

00:47:29the scale in Nico's heart

00:47:30had long since tipped

00:47:31beyond repair.

00:47:32Nico was still standing

00:47:33by the bed,

00:47:34repeating that line

00:47:35he thought was so affectionate.

00:47:37Ava,

00:47:37at the end of the day,

00:47:38I'm the one

00:47:39who gave you the oil.

00:47:41This should be on me.

00:47:42If you want to blame someone,

00:47:43blame me.

00:47:44Hearing Nico,

00:47:45Scarlett suddenly grabbed

00:47:45the tactical dagger

00:47:46on the table,

00:47:47drew the blade,

00:47:48and pressed it

00:47:48against her own long hair.

00:47:50It's just hair,

00:47:50isn't it?

00:47:51Fine,

00:47:51I'll shave mine too

00:47:52and keep you to company.

00:47:53For my partner,

00:47:54a little sacrifice is nothing.

00:47:56Don't blame Nico.

00:47:58Scarlett spoke

00:47:58as if she were making

00:47:59some righteous sacrifice,

00:48:01but the blade in her hand

00:48:02didn't press

00:48:03even the slightest bit

00:48:04into her hair.

00:48:05I looked at her performance

00:48:07and suddenly laughed.

00:48:09Then do it.

00:48:10Scarlett's hand froze.

00:48:11I leaned forward

00:48:12and pressed her,

00:48:13each word deliberate.

00:48:14Shave it.

00:48:15Her blade moved forward

00:48:16by half an inch,

00:48:17but she used no force at all.

00:48:18It didn't cut

00:48:19even a single strand.

00:48:20I'm doing this

00:48:21for my partner.

00:48:21Fine,

00:48:22I'll shave it.

00:48:22At that moment,

00:48:23Nico leads me over,

00:48:24drew the beretta

00:48:24from his waist,

00:48:25and knocked the dagger

00:48:26out of Scarlett's hand

00:48:27with the grip.

00:48:27He looked at me,

00:48:28his face livid,

00:48:29his eyes full of rage.

00:48:30Enough!

00:48:31Ava Russell,

00:48:32you are completely out of line.

00:48:33I froze.

00:48:34Scarlett is my life

00:48:35and death partner,

00:48:36a comrade who would

00:48:37take a bullet for me

00:48:38in a street shootout.

00:48:39Why do you always

00:48:39have to make things

00:48:40hard for her?

00:48:41She fought for four years

00:48:42in Chicago.

00:48:43She has spilled more blood

00:48:44than you've shed tears

00:48:45in your entire life.

00:48:46And you,

00:48:47the moment you see

00:48:48another woman,

00:48:49you turn her into

00:48:50an imaginary enemy.

00:48:51Scarlett sees far

00:48:52beyond you.

00:48:53She worries about

00:48:54the safety of the

00:48:55whole family,

00:48:55about whether our

00:48:56brothers live or die.

00:48:58What do you have

00:48:59in your heart?

00:49:01Scarlett tugged

00:49:01at his sleeve,

00:49:02pretending to advise him.

00:49:03Nico, stop.

00:49:04She is your fiancé

00:49:05after all.

00:49:06But Nico

00:49:06didn't stop accusing me.

00:49:08So what if she's

00:49:08my fiancé?

00:49:09She's been shut

00:49:09inside that estate

00:49:10for too long.

00:49:11Her world is the size

00:49:11of a needle tip.

00:49:12Scar was only

00:49:13testing you

00:49:14in her own way.

00:49:14I know it doesn't

00:49:15feel good,

00:49:16but in this line of work,

00:49:17courage and mental

00:49:17strength are everything.

00:49:18Why can't you

00:49:19get past this?

00:49:20Why force Scar

00:49:21to shave her head

00:49:21with you?

00:49:22Do you have any idea

00:49:22how humiliating it is

00:49:24to force someone

00:49:24to do that?

00:49:25I stood there,

00:49:25listening to those

00:49:26words stab straight

00:49:27into my heart.

00:49:28I had told myself

00:49:29countless times

00:49:30that it was time

00:49:30to let go of

00:49:31Nico Moretti,

00:49:32but at that moment,

00:49:33my heart still felt

00:49:34like it had been seized

00:49:35and crushed by a hand.

00:49:36Eva, put away

00:49:37your tantrums.

00:49:38The Moretti name

00:49:38stands for

00:49:39Absolute Cold Blood

00:49:40and Obedience.

00:49:41I don't need

00:49:41a narrow-minded,

00:49:42bitter woman

00:49:43who haggles over

00:49:44a few strands of hair.

00:49:45Reflect on yourself.

00:49:47After that,

00:49:48he left the suite

00:49:49with several men

00:49:50without waiting

00:49:50for my answer.

00:49:51The instant

00:49:52everyone left,

00:49:53the strength

00:49:53I had been forcing

00:49:54myself to hold on to

00:49:55seemed to drain out

00:49:56of me all at once.

00:49:57A dense,

00:49:58suffocating pain

00:49:59spread through my veins

00:50:00and into every limb.

00:50:02I looked at that

00:50:03brilliant patch of gold

00:50:04on the floor

00:50:05and suddenly realized

00:50:06I truly hated

00:50:08Nico Moretti now.

00:50:09I raised my hand,

00:50:10pulled off that

00:50:11heavy, ridiculous wig

00:50:12and threw it aside,

00:50:13letting my blue-tinted scalp

00:50:14be exposed to the air again

00:50:15when footsteps sounded

00:50:16outside the suite door.

00:50:20Darling,

00:50:21tomorrow is your big day.

00:50:22I asked the kitchen

00:50:23to make you

00:50:24When my mother

00:50:25pushed the door open,

00:50:26she was still holding

00:50:27a cup of black coffee.

00:50:28The cup in her hand

00:50:29crashed to the floor,

00:50:30spilling hot coffee

00:50:31everywhere.

00:50:32My mother stared

00:50:33at my bald head.

00:50:34Her eyes went wide

00:50:35and her voice shook

00:50:36beyond control.

00:50:37Your hair?

00:50:38She looked down

00:50:39and saw the long hair

00:50:40scattered across the floor.

00:50:42Panic overtook her.

00:50:43What happened?

00:50:44Who did this?

00:50:45My hearing was sharp.

00:50:46I heard Scarlett

00:50:47outside the fire exit,

00:50:49unable to suppress

00:50:50a soft laugh.

00:50:51Mom, it's alright.

00:50:51I held my mother's

00:50:52violently shaking hands

00:50:54and comforted her softly.

00:50:55My mother's tears

00:50:56fell instantly.

00:50:58The wedding is tomorrow.

00:50:59How are you supposed

00:50:59to face anyone like this?

00:51:00All of New York society

00:51:01is watching.

00:51:02What are we supposed

00:51:03to tell them already?

00:51:04I looked into her eyes

00:51:05and said each word clearly.

00:51:07Mom,

00:51:08I messaged Damien Costell.

00:51:10I'm changing the groom.

00:51:13On the eve of my arranged marriage

00:51:15into a mafia family,

00:51:16someone shaved my head bald.

00:51:18The blonde hair I'd grown

00:51:19for 12 years,

00:51:20hair that used to fall

00:51:21to my waist like a waterfall

00:51:23was gone.

00:51:24All that was left

00:51:25was a blue-tinged scalp.

00:51:26Scarlett Valenti,

00:51:27who went by Scar on the streets,

00:51:29wore her hair in a high ponytail,

00:51:30an electric clipper in one hand,

00:51:32grinning lazily

00:51:33a Nico Moretti beside her.

00:51:34Your fiancé has terrible instincts.

00:51:36Such a pampered

00:51:37Upper East Side princess.

00:51:38Someone slipped into

00:51:39her penthouse suite

00:51:40and she didn't even notice.

00:51:41How is she supposed

00:51:42to be worthy of you,

00:51:43the future godfather

00:51:44of the Moretti family?

00:51:45The Moretti Capos

00:51:46and Consigliers,

00:51:47seated around the room,

00:51:49burst into laughter.

00:51:51Scar,

00:51:52that's not fair.

00:51:53Nico put that

00:51:54custom essential oil

00:51:55by her bed himself.

00:51:56Who guards

00:51:57against her own fiancé?

00:52:00Scarlett gave a mocking laugh

00:52:01and waved the clipper

00:52:03in her hand.

00:52:04The wedding is tomorrow.

00:52:07Let's see whether

00:52:08this delicate

00:52:09Upper East Side Barbie

00:52:11still deserves

00:52:11the Moretti wedding ring

00:52:13without all that blonde hair

00:52:15she wears

00:52:15like a status symbol.

00:52:19Nico,

00:52:21take away her salon.

00:52:23And your fiancée's

00:52:23is just a poor little thing.

00:52:25As laughter filled the room,

00:52:26Nico Moretti looked at me

00:52:27with a thin,

00:52:28perfuctious apology

00:52:29on his face.

00:52:30Ava, don't be so fragile.

00:52:32In our world,

00:52:33weakness gets you killed.

00:52:35Scarlet and the others

00:52:35are just welcoming you

00:52:36in their own way.

00:52:37It's a test of your nerve.

00:52:39Put on a veil tomorrow

00:52:40and no one will know.

00:52:42Wear the veil

00:52:43and the wig tomorrow.

00:52:44No one will see

00:52:45anything wrong.

00:52:46You'll still be

00:52:46the Mrs. Moretti

00:52:47I bring home in style.

00:52:49I tried to move my limbs,

00:52:51still too weak to use,

00:52:53and fixed my eyes

00:52:54on that diffuser bottle.

00:52:55Nico had come to see me

00:52:57in the suite last night

00:52:58and placed it there

00:52:58with his own hands.

00:53:00This is a custom essential oil

00:53:02from Sicily

00:53:03blended with lavender

00:53:04and chamomile extract.

00:53:06It's the best thing

00:53:07for sleep.

00:53:10You'll be busy

00:53:11all day tomorrow,

00:53:12so get a good night's rest.

00:53:14I thought of how

00:53:15we had grown up together

00:53:16on New York's Upper East Side

00:53:18since childhood,

00:53:1920 years of memories

00:53:20between us.

00:53:21Never in my worst dreams

00:53:23did I imagine

00:53:23that oil had been laced

00:53:24with a powerful sedative

00:53:26meant to knock me out cold.

00:53:27When the family members

00:53:28in the room

00:53:29saw I was awake

00:53:30and silent,

00:53:31they hurried

00:53:32to smooth things off

00:53:33for Scarlet.

00:53:34Future mistress,

00:53:35don't be angry.

00:53:36Scar was just messing around.

00:53:37She's got restless hands.

00:53:39All of us brothers

00:53:39have had a taste of it.

00:53:41Future mistress,

00:53:42we came back

00:53:42from the Chicago front

00:53:43especially for Nico's wedding.

00:53:45We just wanted

00:53:45to surprise you.

00:53:46I lowered my eyes

00:53:47to the blonde hair

00:53:48scattered across the floor.

00:53:49It had been my pride

00:53:50and dignity

00:53:51as the Russell family's daughter.

00:53:53And now Nico Moretti

00:53:54not only shattered it

00:53:55with his own hands,

00:53:56he wanted me to swallow

00:53:57this bloody humiliation

00:53:58and pretend nothing had happened

00:54:00just so I could

00:54:00become his ornament.

00:54:02A surprise?

00:54:04This is the surprise

00:54:05Nico Morelli prepared for me.

00:54:06Scarlet toyed with the clippers,

00:54:09raised a brow

00:54:09and looked me up and down.

00:54:11I was just curious

00:54:12what kind of woman

00:54:13could keep our Nico

00:54:14thinking about her

00:54:15for 20 years

00:54:16so dead set

00:54:17on marrying her.

00:54:19Turns out you're nothing

00:54:20but a spoiled little lady

00:54:21who grew up

00:54:22in a greenhouse

00:54:23and has never seen

00:54:24a street shootout.

00:54:26Everyone in the room

00:54:27understood what she left unsaid.

00:54:29So what Scarlet means is

00:54:31I'm not worthy

00:54:32of Nico Moretti.

00:54:34Is that it?

00:54:36Ava Russell!

00:54:37Scar doesn't mean any harm.

00:54:38She's been blunt like this

00:54:39since she was a kid.

00:54:40She has no filter.

00:54:41Why do you have to

00:54:42take it personally?

00:54:42As he spoke,

00:54:43he tossed a black box

00:54:44onto the bed.

00:54:45It hit the edge

00:54:45and sprang open,

00:54:46revealing an exquisite wig inside.

00:54:48Stop making a scene.

00:54:49I had this handmade

00:54:50Italian custom wig

00:54:51prepared especially for you.

00:54:52Scarlet was only joking.

00:54:53It's not like your hair

00:54:54won't grow back.

00:54:55A joke?

00:54:56What kind of joke

00:54:57requires shaving someone

00:54:58completely bald?

00:54:59I didn't scream.

00:55:00I didn't lose control.

00:55:01I didn't even say a word.

00:55:02I bit down hard,

00:55:03forcing myself through

00:55:04the lingering drug haze

00:55:05and the ache in my limbs.

00:55:06The blood of the Russell family

00:55:07and years of highborn etiquette

00:55:09did not allow me

00:55:09to bow my head.

00:55:10Under their stunned gazes,

00:55:11I picked up the wig,

00:55:12placed it on my head

00:55:13and carefully smoothed

00:55:14every shining strand.

00:55:15When the long hair

00:55:16fell back over my shoulders,

00:55:17I instantly became

00:55:18polished and noble again.

00:55:20My calmness darkened

00:55:21Scarlet's face

00:55:22and she cut in from the side.

00:55:24Nico is taking

00:55:24such good care of you.

00:55:26Whether I think

00:55:27you're worthy or not,

00:55:28isn't he still marrying you?

00:55:29So what are you still

00:55:30whining about?

00:55:31Put on a thick veil tomorrow,

00:55:33wear the wig

00:55:33and who can tell

00:55:34your hair is gone?

00:55:35Stop standing there

00:55:36looking so pitiful.

00:55:37That weak little act

00:55:38is annoying.

00:55:39But from the moment

00:55:40I woke up until now,

00:55:42I had not shed

00:55:42a single tear.

00:55:45Nico, are you really

00:55:46gonna let her

00:55:46humiliate me like this?

00:55:50Nico sighed

00:55:51and came over

00:55:52as if to take my hand.

00:55:53I jerked away.

00:55:57Scar's my life

00:55:58life and death comrade.

00:55:59That's just how she is.

00:55:59Her mouth runs

00:56:00but her heart isn't bad.

00:56:02Let's put this behind us,

00:56:03alright?

00:56:03Nico softened his voice again,

00:56:05coaxing me.

00:56:05Ava, at the end of the day,

00:56:07I'm the one who gave you the oil.

00:56:08This should be on me.

00:56:09If you want to blame someone,

00:56:10blame me.

00:56:10That was what he said

00:56:11but his face carried

00:56:12absolute arrogance

00:56:13as if he was certain

00:56:14that after loving him

00:56:15for 20 years,

00:56:16I could never hate him.

00:56:17I looked at his face,

00:56:18the face I had known

00:56:18since I was three.

00:56:19When I was 11,

00:56:21children from another family

00:56:22cornered me

00:56:22and tried to steal the necklace

00:56:23my mother had left me.

00:56:25Nico grabbed a baseball bat

00:56:26and charged at them.

00:56:27If anyone dared touch

00:56:28a single hair on my head,

00:56:30he would fight them back.

00:56:31When I was 17,

00:56:32just after my birthday,

00:56:33Nico graduated from West Point

00:56:34and came to my door

00:56:35with the family's signet ring,

00:56:37terrified someone else

00:56:38would win me first,

00:56:39desperate to bind me

00:56:40to him for life.

00:56:41When I was 20,

00:56:42Nico left for Chicago

00:56:43to expand the family's power.

00:56:44At the airport,

00:56:45he held my hand tightly,

00:56:46eyes red,

00:56:47and said that when he returned,

00:56:48he would give me

00:56:49a grand wedding.

00:56:50Then Nico spent four years

00:56:51fighting through Chicago's gunfire

00:56:52while I waited quietly for him

00:56:54in the estate in New York.

00:56:55And now,

00:56:56that diffuser bottle

00:56:56still sat by the bed.

00:56:57The Sicilian citrus scent

00:56:59that once made me feel safe

00:57:00was wrapped in the sharp smell

00:57:01of sedatives,

00:57:02silently mocking my stupidity.

00:57:04Actually,

00:57:05this wasn't the first time

00:57:06I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.

00:57:07Last year,

00:57:08after begging my father for ages,

00:57:10I finally boarded the family jet

00:57:11and went to a safe house

00:57:12in Chicago to see Nico.

00:57:13But after I arrived,

00:57:14Nico showed no surprise at all.

00:57:15Instead,

00:57:15he spent every day

00:57:16in the war hoose with Scarlett,

00:57:17leaning over city maps

00:57:18and planning operations.

00:57:19Even seeing me

00:57:20felt like a waste of his time.

00:57:22I asked his men

00:57:22to announce me three times.

00:57:24Scarlett simply posted

00:57:25a printed sheet of paper

00:57:26on the iron door

00:57:27of the war room.

00:57:28It read,

00:57:29Ava Russell and dogs,

00:57:30no entry.

00:57:31Back then,

00:57:31I was furious and hurt.

00:57:33I fought with Nico,

00:57:33but he only told me coldly.

00:57:35Scar doesn't mean any harm,

00:57:36she's just direct.

00:57:37Besides,

00:57:37delaying an operational briefing

00:57:38was your fault to begin with.

00:57:40That was when I knew

00:57:41the scale in Nico's heart

00:57:42had long since tipped

00:57:43beyond repair.

00:57:44Nico was still standing

00:57:45by the bed,

00:57:46repeating that line

00:57:47he thought was so affectionate.

00:57:48Ava,

00:57:49at the end of the day,

00:57:50I'm the one

00:57:51who gave you the oil.

00:57:52This should be on me.

00:57:54If you want to blame someone,

00:57:55blame me.

00:57:55Hearing Nico,

00:57:56Scarlett suddenly grabbed

00:57:57the tactical dagger

00:57:58on the table,

00:57:59drew the blade,

00:57:59and pressed it

00:58:00against her own long hair.

00:58:01It's just hair, isn't it?

00:58:02Fine,

00:58:03I'll shave mine too

00:58:03and keep you to company.

00:58:05For my partner,

00:58:06a little sacrifice is nothing.

00:58:07Don't blame Nico.

00:58:09Scarlett spoke

00:58:10as if she were making

00:58:11some righteous sacrifice,

00:58:13but the blade in her hand

00:58:14didn't press

00:58:14even the slightest bit

00:58:16into her hair.

00:58:17I looked at her performance

00:58:19and suddenly laughed.

00:58:20Then do it.

00:58:22Scarlett's hand froze.

00:58:23I leaned forward

00:58:24and pressed her,

00:58:25each word deliberate.

00:58:26Shave it.

00:58:26Her blade moved forward

00:58:27by half an inch,

00:58:28but she used no force at all.

00:58:30It didn't cut

00:58:30even a single strand.

00:58:32I'm doing this

00:58:32for my partner.

00:58:33Fine,

00:58:33I'll shave it.

00:58:34At that moment,

00:58:35Nico leads me forward,

00:58:36drew the beretta

00:58:36from his waist,

00:58:37and knocked the dagger

00:58:38out of Scarlett's hand

00:58:38with the grip.

00:58:39He looked at me,

00:58:40his face livid,

00:58:40his eyes full of rage.

00:58:41Enough!

00:58:42Ava Russell,

00:58:43you are completely

00:58:44out of line.

00:58:45I froze.

00:58:46Scarlett is my

00:58:47life and death partner,

00:58:48a comrade who would

00:58:49take a bullet for me

00:58:50in a street shootout.

00:58:50Why do you always

00:58:51have to make things

00:58:52hard for her?

00:58:53She fought for four years

00:58:54in Chicago.

00:58:55She has spilled more blood

00:58:56than you've shed tears

00:58:57in your entire life.

00:58:58And you?

00:58:59The moment you see

00:59:00another woman,

00:59:01you turn her into

00:59:01an imaginary enemy.

00:59:03Scarlett sees far

00:59:03beyond you.

00:59:05She worries about

00:59:06the safety of the

00:59:06whole family,

00:59:07about whether our

00:59:08brothers live or die.

00:59:10What do you have

00:59:11in your heart?

00:59:12Scarlett tugged

00:59:13at his sleeve,

00:59:14pretending to advise him,

00:59:15Nico, stop.

00:59:16She is your fiancé,

00:59:17after all.

00:59:18But Nico didn't

00:59:18stop accusing me.

00:59:19So what if she's

00:59:20my fiancé?

00:59:21She's been shut

00:59:21inside that estate

00:59:22for too long.

00:59:22Her world is the

00:59:23size of a needle tip.

00:59:24Scar was only

00:59:25testing you in her

00:59:26own way.

00:59:26I know it doesn't

00:59:27feel good,

00:59:27but in this line of

00:59:28work, courage and

00:59:29mental strength are

00:59:30everything.

00:59:30Why can't you get

00:59:31past this?

00:59:32Why force Scar to

00:59:33shave her head

00:59:33with you?

00:59:33Do you have any

00:59:34idea how humiliating

00:59:35it is to force

00:59:36someone to do that?

00:59:36I stood there,

00:59:37listening to those

00:59:38words stab straight

00:59:39into my heart.

00:59:40I had told myself

00:59:41countless times that

00:59:41it was time to let go

00:59:42of Nico Moretti,

00:59:43but at that moment

00:59:44my heart still felt

00:59:46like it had been

00:59:46seized and crushed

00:59:47by a hand.

00:59:48Ava, put away

00:59:49your tantrums.

00:59:49The Moretti name

00:59:50stands for absolute

00:59:51cold blood and

00:59:52obedience.

00:59:53I don't need a

00:59:53narrow-minded bitter

00:59:54woman who haggles

00:59:55over a few strands

00:59:56of hair.

00:59:57Reflect on yourself.

00:59:59After that, he left

01:00:00the suite with several

01:00:01men without waiting

01:00:02for my answer.

01:00:03The instant everyone

01:00:04left, the strength I

01:00:05had been forcing

01:00:06myself to hold on to

01:00:07seemed to drain out

01:00:08of me all at once.

01:00:09A dense, suffocating

01:00:11pain spread through

01:00:11my veins and into

01:00:12every limb.

01:00:14I looked at that

01:00:15brilliant patch of

01:00:16gold on the floor

01:00:16and suddenly realized

01:00:18I truly hated

01:00:19Nico Moretti now.

01:00:21I raised my hand,

01:00:22pulled off that

01:00:23heavy, ridiculous wig

01:00:24and threw it aside,

01:00:25letting my blue-tinted

01:00:26scalp be exposed to

01:00:27the air again.

01:00:27when footsteps sounded

01:00:28outside the suite

01:00:29door.

01:00:32Darling, tomorrow

01:00:32is your big day.

01:00:34I asked the kitchen

01:00:34to make you...

01:00:35When my mother

01:00:37pushed the door open,

01:00:38she was still holding

01:00:38a cup of black coffee.

01:00:40The cup in her hand

01:00:40crashed to the floor,

01:00:42spilling hot coffee

01:00:43everywhere.

01:00:44My mother stared

01:00:44at my bald head.

01:00:45Her eyes went wide

01:00:46and her voice shook

01:00:47beyond control.

01:00:48Your... your hair?

01:00:50She looked down

01:00:51and saw the long hair

01:00:52scattered across the

01:00:53floor.

01:00:53Panic overtook her.

01:00:55What... what happened?

01:00:56Who did this?

01:00:57My hearing was sharp.

01:00:58I heard Scarlet

01:00:59outside the fire exit,

01:01:00unable to suppress

01:01:01a soft laugh.

01:01:02Mom, it's alright.

01:01:03I held my mother's

01:01:04violently shaking hands

01:01:05and comforted her softly.

01:01:07My mother's tears

01:01:08fell instantly.

01:01:09The wedding is tomorrow.

01:01:10How are you supposed

01:01:11to face anyone like this?

01:01:12All of New York society

01:01:13is watching.

01:01:14What are we supposed

01:01:14to tell them already?

01:01:16I looked into her eyes

01:01:17and said each word

01:01:18clearly.

01:01:19Mom,

01:01:20I messaged

01:01:21Damien Costell.

01:01:22I'm changing the groom.

01:01:23I don't know what I mean

01:01:30but it is

01:01:30You

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