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Watch full-length drama films featuring powerful business leaders, hidden identities, family secrets, impossible love stories, revenge, and inspiring personal journeys. Every movie delivers engaging storytelling and memorable characters.
Enjoy high-quality drama entertainment with English subtitles and discover new trending stories uploaded on a regular basis.
#FullDrama #DramaMovies #LoveDrama #RomanceMovie #CEO #Billionaire #AsianMovies #Trending #DramaChannel #MovieLoversdrama movies, asian full movie, full romance movie,
love drama, romantic film, ceo drama,
billionaire story, secret identity movie,
family drama, emotional storytelling,
mini drama, vertical drama movie,
full movie english subtitles, chinese love story,
heartwarming movie, relationship movie,
unexpected twist, successful businessman,
revenge romance, dramatic scenes,
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00:30interruptions. So he shut off his phone. In my previous life, I took a speedboat, stormed the
00:35yacht with a crew, and dragged him back to the hospital by force, securing his seat as the don.
00:39But because he left her midway, Julia stood on the deck crying all night, caught a nasty fever,
00:44and threatened to break up with him when she woke up. Onsen power, Cassian was driven mad by guilt.
00:49He called me a cold-blooded heartless bitch, had my feet set in concrete, and threw me off the
00:54Brooklyn Bridge. When I opened my eyes, I was back in that hospital, with the family lawyer
00:58desperately urging me to make the call. I looked down at my phone. On Instagram, Cassian had
01:03just posted. I calmly double-tapped the screen to like his post. Then I sent a text to my exiled
01:09brother-in-law, Mateo.
01:15Valerie, what are you zoning out for? Call Cassian now. The don gave his word. Whoever gets that black
01:20onyx ring on their finger before he takes his last breath rules the Russo family. It is a 30-minute
01:26drive. If Cassian leaves right now, this billion-dollar empire is his.
01:31I masked the cold hatred in my eyes, in front of a room full of capos and doctors. I dialed
01:37Cassian's number. It rang for a long, long time. Just as the lawyer started sweating,
01:41the call finally connected.
01:42Valerie, are you out of your mind? How many times do I have to tell you? It is Julia's birthday,
01:47and I am staying with her. Your father was shot. They are trying to save him in the hospital.
01:53Cassian, are you going to leave me again? Valerie, it is my birthday. I just want him
01:57for one night. You really don't need to make up such twisted lies. Do I have to get on my
02:01knees and beg you to let him stay a little longer? Don't be scared, Julia. I'm not leaving.
02:07I'm not going anywhere. Did you hear that? It is just one night. Can you drop the jealous
02:13wife routine for one? Hearing this, the lawyer's veins popped on his forehead. He snatched the
02:17phone. Cassian, it is the family lawyer. Valerie is not lying. The Don was actually hit. He is
02:24in the hospital right now. You need to get here in 30 minutes, because the Don said.
02:32Oh, the family lawyer, huh? An arrogant male voice suddenly cut in. It was Jax, Cassian's lackey
02:39and Julia's younger brother. Jax laughed mockingly through the speaker. Valerie, you
02:43really pulled out all the stops today. Hiring actors and everything. Too bad you miscalculated.
02:49I got a buddy on the payroll in that precinct. He said the streets are dead quiet tonight.
02:53No hits, no nothing. Valerie is just a jealous bitch paying actors to put on a show, so you
02:58will go crawling back to her. Valerie, using my father's life for a cheap stunt, you disgust
03:05me.
03:09Is this the eldest son? How could he be this stupid?
03:13Valerie, you fucking curse!
03:18In my past life, I was too panicked to react and took the hit. This time, I was ready.
03:23I sneered and took a step back.
03:27Where is he? Where is Cassian?
03:31If Cassius doesn't make it back, if the family falls into someone else's hands, I will sell
03:37you to the brothels myself. Useless trash. You can't even get your own man to come back.
03:43If Cassian loses his inheritance, we will skin you alive.
03:51I knew why they were losing their minds. Carmela wasn't the Don's legal wife. She started out as a
03:57stripper and used her pregnancy to climb the ladder, giving birth to his firstborn, Cassian.
04:02Years ago, when the Don's actual wife was heavily pregnant, Carmela showed up at the
04:06estate with her baby, spitting such vicious insults that the wife went into premature labor
04:11and bled to death on the operating table. The legitimate son, Matteo, who was born without
04:15a mother, was treated like a thorn in their side. Cassian and Carmela abused him, beat him,
04:20and eventually found an excuse to exile him to Sicily, keeping him far away from the family's
04:25core business. Though the Don let Carmela live in the manor, he always thought she was too low
04:29class to actually marry. That meant if the Don died and Cassian didn't take the throne,
04:34family rules dictated Carmela would be thrown out on the streets. If she goes down,
04:38her crew goes down with her. That is why they're all looking sick with worry.
04:42Are you deaf? Call his lackey! Tell him to drag Cassian here right now!
04:47I looked at her coldly, didn't argue, and obediently dialed Jax's number.
04:51Valerie, are you physically incapable of taking a hint? Can't you give it a rest? Stop clinging
04:56to the boss like a desperate loser. Honestly, if you were my woman, I would tie you up and beat
05:00some sense into you first. Women need to learn to shut up and stay out of family business.
05:04His blatant disrespect left everyone in the room stunned.
05:08Jax, I don't care if you believe me. The Don is fading fast. He gave his word between
05:14Cassian and Mateo. Whoever puts on the ring first gets the empire.
05:20A sudden, eerie silence fell over the line. Jax's tone shifted, sounding hesitant.
05:25Are you serious?
05:30It is true. It is true. I am Cassian's mother. You need to tell him to come back. There's
05:36a back. It's about the inheritance.
05:38Jax said slowly.
05:39Well, if it's true, I'll go tell the boss right now.
05:42Carmela let out a huge breath of relief.
05:44As long as Cassian gets back...
05:46A burst of hysterical laughter erupted from the phone. Jax sounded like he just heard the
05:50funniest joke in the world.
05:51Jesus Christ. Valerie, you really don't know when to quit, do you? I already busted your
05:55little scam and you are still bringing the actors back for a second act? Let me tell
05:58you something. The boss said even if the FBI raids this boat tonight, nobody is ruining
06:02his alone time with my sister. Your little mind games are useless. If you know what's
06:06good for you, get lost.
06:07The boss is filing for divorce tomorrow. He is only going to love my sister for the rest
06:12of his life. And I am going to be the Don's brother-in-law.
06:16As for you, get ready to pack your bags and go beg on the streets.
06:20The call hung up mercilessly, slowly turning into sheer horror. I made my eyes well up
06:25with tears, looking extremely wrong. I had been married to Cassian for three years. To
06:30secure his position in the family, I spent countless sleepless nights cooking, hiding his
06:34dirty money, and cleaning up his messes. And what did he do? He took the money I made him
06:39and bought a $10 million yacht for Julia.
06:42Valerie, you already have the title of the Russo family's wife. Julia has nothing.
06:48What is wrong with spending some money to make it up to her?
06:51He even had the nerve to tell me.
06:53All men stray. As long as he comes home to you, why do you care how many girls he keeps
06:58on the side?
07:00Yeah, exactly. So tonight, let Cassian be with the woman he truly loves. As for the Godfather's
07:06seat, you can kiss it goodbye.
07:12A mess of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. A group of capos loyal to Cassian burst into
07:18the room.
07:19Where is he? Why isn't he here yet?
07:21It is her fault. Valerie is useless. She couldn't even get him on the phone.
07:28The elders were furious. They grabbed a thick stack.
07:31What the hell are you good for, Valerie? We bet everything on Cassian. If he misses out
07:36of the ring tonight, we all go down with him. You stupid, useless bitch.
07:41Before I could say a word, the heart monitor suddenly started blaring a warning alarm.
07:46The private physician rushed over to check. A moment later, he gave a slight shake of his
07:50head.
07:51Gentlemen, the dawn has 40 minutes at most. You need to figure this out fast.
07:5640 minutes. Honestly. If Cassian just checked his social media or picked up the phone, a 30-minute
08:02drive from the docks was more than enough time. Hope reignited in Carmela's eyes. Her hands
08:07shook as she dialed his number.
08:09Cassian, please pick up your mother's call.
08:14The yacht was anchored just off the coast. Julia straddled Cassian's lap. She complained
08:20about the ringing phone killing the mood.
08:22That ringing is giving me a headache. Cassian, just turn it off or throw it in the ocean.
08:30Tonight is my birthday.
08:31She lowered her eyelashes.
08:33You can only have me in your world. You can only look at me. Can you do that for me?
08:39Cassian hesitated for a second, Valerie's words flashing through his mind. But looking
08:43at Julia's lustful, dependent eyes, any doubt he had vanished. The old man was tough as nails.
08:49He wouldn't just drop dead.
08:51All right. As long as my queen is happy, even if the sky falls, you are the only thing I
08:55care about.
08:56Cassian kissed her hard then, without a second thought. Tossed both phones into the dark sea.
09:06Sorry. The number you have reached is unavailable.
09:09Carmela must have called 20 times.
09:13Her men tried to comfort her.
09:15Donna Carmela, don't panic. Even if Cassian doesn't make it, it is fine. That bastard
09:19Matteo is still in Sicily, right?
09:21A flight from there takes over 10 hours. He will never make it.
09:25Hearing this, Carmela let out a breath she was holding.
09:28But then one of their spies rushed into the room.
09:31Ma'am, bosses. Someone said they saw Matteo's crew a few blocks away. He is almost here.
09:37Impossible. He is in Sicily. How could he be back so fast?
09:41I stood quietly by the edge of the room, feeling a dark sense of satisfaction.
09:45Actually, Matteo had secretly returned to New York days ago to handle some family business.
09:49In my previous life, Carmela blocked all information from reaching him so he wouldn't compete for power.
09:55Never let Matteo know.
09:56By the time Matteo found out and rushed over, he was 30 minutes too late.
10:00But this time, the moment I opened my eyes, I sent the news straight to him.
10:04The docks! Go to the docks!
10:07You useless trash! Come with me! We are bringing him back!
10:11Carmela completely lost it. I let her drag me into the car.
10:14Because I knew exactly how obsessed Cassian was with Julia.
10:18He had locked down that yacht for their alone time.
10:21Even if Carmela went herself, it wouldn't change a damn thing.
10:30When we got to the pier, Carmela and her heavily armed thugs rushed to the entrance like maniacs.
10:36But a dozen guards armed with assault rifles blocked the gate.
10:39Standing front and center was Jax, looking as smug as ever.
10:42Are you blind? The boss locked down the pier tonight. Not even a fly gets in.
10:46I am his mother! Let me in! Tell Cass that Matteo's about to steal his throne!
10:52Lost her balance and crashed hard onto the concrete.
10:55Listen here, old lady. You guys are really addicted to this acting gig, huh?
10:59First Valerie gets someone to fake being a lawyer and a mom over the phone,
11:03and now you show up trying to play the victim?
11:05You people will stoop to anything to ruin his night with my sister.
11:09The boss gave a direct order.
11:11Even if his own mother shows up, she can wait outside.
11:14Carmela was shaking violently, choking on her own fury.
11:18She ordered her men to break through.
11:20But after a brief, bloody scuffle, they were beaten back, heads bleeding.
11:24Utterly desperate, Carmela screamed, cursed, and clawed at the heavy iron gates.
11:29Finally, her knees gave out.
11:30She literally dropped to her knees in front of Jax, bowing her head against the dirt.
11:36I beg you, let me in to see him!
11:41If we are too late, everything is gone!
11:45Leaning against the car door watching the circus,
11:48I couldn't stop the corner of my lips from curving up.
11:51At that exact moment back in the hospital,
11:53dozens of eyes were glued to the heart monitor
11:56as the jagged lines grew flatter and flatter.
11:58Then, the hallway fell dead silent.
12:00A tall, imposing figure in a black trench coat stepped over the threshold.
12:04The moment his heavy boots halted,
12:06the red line on the monitor flatlined completely.
12:15The family lawyer took a deep breath.
12:17Facing the elders, his voice rang out solemn and clear.
12:21According to the final will and testament,
12:23Mr. Mateo arrived at the final moment.
12:25From this second on, Mr. Mateo is the undisputed dawn of the Russo family.
12:29No matter how furious Cassian's supporters were,
12:32no one dared to say a word.
12:33Mateo slipped the black onyx ring onto his finger.
12:36One by one, every capo in the room bowed their heads in submission.
12:42When the voice note from my informant played through my phone,
12:45Carmela's eyes rolled back,
12:46and she fainted cold on the damp concrete.
12:49Meanwhile, out on the yacht,
12:51the two of them were still tangled in the sheets.
12:53Julia curled up against Cassian's bare chest,
12:56her skin still flushed and damp.
12:58Cassian, this is the best day of my life.
13:01Thank you for risking everything for me.
13:03Promise me you'll always be this good to me.
13:05Of course, just wait.
13:06Someday I'm going to get rid of Valera and make you my real wife.
13:10The yacht was nearing the docks.
13:14Cassian glanced up.
13:15Waiting for them on the pier was a sea of dark suits,
13:18and the blood instantly drained from his face.
13:21Cassian marched over, his eyes full of contempt.
13:24Valerie, you are like a ghost that won't go away!
13:27What kind of stunt is this?
13:29Bringing in a bunch of crazy bitches here to cry and make a scene?
13:32You think making yourself look pitiful is going to make me look at you?
13:35He noticed the unconscious woman on the ground and the bleeding thugs.
13:38But he was so blinded by annoyance,
13:40he didn't even recognize his own mother.
13:42Boss, don't worry.
13:43I kept all these troublemanters out.
13:45Not a single fly got in to ruin your romantic night with my sister.
13:49Valerie, if you keep acting like a psycho,
13:51we are filing for divorce tomorrow.
13:53For three years you have paraded around acting like the queen of the Russo family,
13:57but in bed you are as boring as a piece of wood.
13:59I'm sick of you.
14:00Believe me, with one word,
14:01I can have you thrown out of this family with nothing.
14:03Valerie, I actually feel sorry for you.
14:06You married Cassian for money and power,
14:08but your heart is full of schemes.
14:11You can't offer him anything real.
14:12Cassian doesn't need power.
14:14He needs true love.
14:16Why put yourself through this?
14:18Fine.
14:20You two go love each other forever.
14:27Stop!
14:28Stop!
14:43What are you doing here?
14:46Hey!
14:47Where are you going?
14:47Get back here right now!
14:49Suddenly, a sharp, echoing slap rang out.
14:51Carmela, who had just woken up from the cold ground,
14:55summoned a terrifying amount of strength
14:57and backhanded Julia right across her delicate face.
15:00Julia screamed and collapsed,
15:01half of her face instantly swelling up.
15:04Mom?
15:05What are you doing here?
15:06Why are you acting crazy with Valerie?
15:09Why did you hit Julia?
15:11Hit her?
15:12I will skin the bitch alive!
15:15Open your damn eyes and look!
15:17Look at what your stupidity just cost us
15:19for this little slit!
15:21Frowning with extreme irritation,
15:23Cassian grabbed the phone.
15:24On the screen was the breaking news alert
15:27flashing across every major network.
15:29Russo family Don assassinated.
15:31Second son Mateo arrives at last minute
15:34to inherit Empire,
15:35a new godfather rises.
15:37Right below the headline was a high
15:38definition video
15:40of the lawyer's announcement.
15:42According to the final will and testament,
15:43Mr. Mateo arrived at the final moment.
15:46Mr. Mateo is the undisputed Don of the Russo family.
15:49In the video,
15:50Mateo, dressed in a sharp black suit,
15:52stood by the Don's bed
15:53and slipped the black onyx ring onto his finger.
15:56Cassian's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
15:59He stared at the screen,
16:00his fingers starting to tremble uncontrollably.
16:03No, no, this is impossible.
16:10How could father be assassinated?
16:12This is fake!
16:16Valerie, you doctored this video, didn't you?
16:18I stood perfectly still,
16:19a mocking smile touching my lips.
16:21Cassian,
16:22why don't you call your capos
16:24and find out if it's fake or not?
16:26Phone, phone,
16:27give me the phone right now!
16:28The second,
16:29the screen lit up.
16:30Hundreds of missed calls
16:31and thousands of texts
16:32flooded in like death warrants.
16:34Boss, where are you?
16:35If you don't come back right now,
16:36Mateo is taking everything!
16:37Cassian looked like
16:38he had been struck by lightning.
16:40His knees went weak
16:41and he nearly dropped to the ground.
16:43Carmela suddenly lunged at Julia.
16:46You brainless whore!
16:47It is all because of you!
16:49A fucking birthday party!
16:51If it wasn't for you,
16:52Cassian would have made it to the hospital!
16:54You ruined the rest of my life,
16:55you dirty whore!
16:57Julia screamed in agony,
16:59her perfect makeup smeared with tears
17:00as she struggled.
17:03Cassian!
17:04Help me, Cassian!
17:06Sister!
17:08But the family elders behind Carmela
17:10already driven insane
17:12by losing their power-tackled Jax to the ground
17:14and beat the living hell out of him.
17:16You're the one who blocked the gate.
17:18I will put a bullet in you myself.
17:20The pier devolved into absolute chaos.
17:23Screams from Julia and Jax rang out everywhere.
17:27Cassian finally snapped out of his shock.
17:30Enough! Stop!
17:31Get off her!
17:32Don't touch Julia!
17:33Carmela was already old.
17:35When Cassian yanked her off Julia,
17:37she lost her balance
17:37and crashed heavily onto the deck.
17:42Dead, dead silence.
17:44Everyone stared at Cassian
17:46in absolute disbelief.
17:48Are you insane?
17:50You hit your own mother for this slut?
17:53How did I give birth to such a stupid son?
17:56Cassian wrapped his arms
17:58around a shivering Julia.
17:59If I lost my territory,
18:00I will take it back!
18:01As long as I breathe,
18:03I will build my way back to the top.
18:04But if any of you touch one hair on Julia's head,
18:07I will kill you.
18:08He scooped Julia up,
18:10bolted into his sports car
18:11like he was running for his life,
18:13and sped off.
18:14Watching these rabid dogs
18:15tear each other apart,
18:16my smile grew wider.
18:18Is that so?
18:19Let's see how you rise back to the top.
18:21An hour later,
18:22Cassian took Julia to the hospital
18:23to get patched up,
18:25then drove back to the Russo family manor.
18:29The moment he walked through the doors,
18:31he started barking orders.
18:32Butler,
18:34prepare Abilene and Seeducud for dinner.
18:41How dare you!
18:44Out on the front lawn,
18:45all his custom suits,
18:47luxury watches,
18:48and personal belongings
18:49were piled up like garbage.
18:51I was sitting elegantly on the sofa,
18:54slowly sipping champagne,
18:55and sitting right beside me
18:56was Mateo.
19:01Valerie,
19:02Mateo,
19:03you have some nerve!
19:05You bastard,
19:06you dare step foot in my house?
19:07The Russo family isn't yours.
19:09I am the eldest son,
19:10and this empire belongs to me.
19:12Take this toxic bitch
19:13and get out of my house!
19:14He instinctively reached for the gun
19:16at his waist,
19:16but Mateo's bodyguards moved in a flash,
19:19kicking him hard in the chest.
19:20and dropping him to the floor.
19:22Who do you think runs the Russo family now?
19:25I sneered,
19:26stood up,
19:26and threw a divorce agreement
19:27and a thick stack of bank statements
19:29right in his face.
19:31Sign the divorce papers
19:32and look at those statements.
19:33Over the last three years,
19:34you embezabled family funds
19:35to buy yachts and diamonds for Julia,
19:37$30 million in total.
19:38Mateo swirled his whiskey glass,
19:40a dangerous smirk on his lips.
19:41Big brother,
19:42I run the finances now,
19:44and I have audited the books.
19:46You either pay back the money,
19:47or I handle this
19:49the traditional mafia way.
19:50and you pay with a pound of flesh.
19:56Valor,
19:57you think slapping
19:57a $30 million debt on me
19:59is gonna make me beg?
20:00You think throwing me out
20:01will make me leave Julia
20:02and come crawling back to you?
20:03You miscalculated.
20:05Even if you do all this,
20:06I'll never choose you.
20:07As long as I have Julia by my side,
20:09I will build my own empire
20:10from the ground up.
20:11I will wait for the day
20:12you come begging me on your knees.
20:13Come on, Julia.
20:14We are leaving.
20:15Watching his dramatic exit,
20:17I almost laughed out loud,
20:18build his own empire
20:19from the ground up.
20:20He was nothing
20:21without the Russo name,
20:22and soon enough,
20:23he'd learn a hard truth.
20:25Empires don't rise from nothing,
20:26and gold diggers
20:27don't stay for love.
20:31One month later,
20:33inside a hot, humid,
20:35run-down motel
20:35with water dripping
20:36from the ceiling.
20:37It was the exact opposite
20:38of the luxurious Russo estate.
20:41Cassian,
20:42are you entirely useless?
20:45Julia's hair was a mess.
20:47She pointed right
20:48at Cassian's nose,
20:49screaming.
20:50That sweet, gentle face of hers
20:51was now twisted with rage.
20:53You can't even buy me
20:55a decent dress!
20:56Some boss you are!
20:57Ever since Cassian
20:59was thrown out,
21:00all his bank accounts
21:01had been frozen
21:01to pay off his debt.
21:03All of Julia's
21:04limited edition bags
21:05and diamonds
21:05had been confiscated
21:06and liquidated.
21:07Used to a life
21:08of extreme luxury,
21:09Julia's true colors
21:10finally bled through.
21:12Cassian stepped forward
21:13humbly,
21:14trying to hold her hand.
21:16Julia,
21:16please,
21:17don't be mad.
21:19I have already reached out
21:21to a few guys
21:22who used to follow me.
21:24Once I find-
21:25Find what?
21:26What the hell
21:27can your pocket change do?
21:32You can't even
21:33buy me a purse!
21:35How can you say
21:36you love me?
21:37Weren't you
21:38the big boss?
21:40Julia.
21:40A flash of genuine hurt
21:42crossed Cassian's eyes.
21:43You weren't like this before.
21:45You told me
21:46as long as we have love,
21:47you wouldn't care
21:48even if the sky fell.
21:49Julia looked at him
21:50with pure disgust.
21:51Without money,
21:52your love is worthless.
21:54Just then,
21:55with a loud bang,
21:56the motel door
21:56was kicked open.
21:58Jack stumbled inside,
21:59covered in blood.
22:00Sis!
22:01Save me, sis!
22:05I owe the casino!
22:07They said if I don't pay up today,
22:09they are chopping off
22:10my hands and-
22:12Are you deaf?
22:13They are going to
22:14maim my brother!
22:15Pay them!
22:17Julia screamed in terror,
22:19shoving Cassian forward.
22:21I...
22:22Cassian went pale.
22:23I don't have any money left.
22:24Jax's eyes were wild.
22:26He dropped to the floor,
22:27hugging Cassian's leg
22:28and shaking him violently.
22:30Cassian,
22:31go beg Valerie!
22:33She used to love you so much,
22:35she did whatever you said!
22:37Get on your knees
22:38and beg her for the money!
22:39Cassian flinched
22:40like he had been hit with a bat.
22:42He stared at Julia,
22:43his lips trembling.
22:45Julia.
22:46Do you think
22:47I should do that too?
22:51Well, you're useless
22:52right now anyway.
22:53Julia avoided his eyes,
22:54her face filled with revulsion.
22:56If you can scam some money
22:57out of her, do it.
22:59You can't just let
23:00my brother get crippled.
23:01Cassian completely broke down.
23:03He couldn't accept
23:03that his precious first love
23:05was really like this.
23:06He held his head in his hands,
23:07trying to hypnotize himself.
23:09She is just tired.
23:11She still loves me.
23:14She is just scared.
23:15But reality shattered
23:16his last layer of delusion
23:17the very next day.
23:18Julia went straight to Mateo,
23:20sitting on a massive leather sofa.
23:22Mateo casually spun a pistol
23:24in his hand.
23:25Julia was heavily dressed up.
23:26She wore a tight, short dress,
23:28deliberately pulling down the collar
23:30to expose her collarbones.
23:35Her eyes were red
23:36as she spoke
23:37in a choked, breathy voice.
23:38Dawn,
23:39to be honest,
23:41I never liked
23:43Cassian's brutality
23:44from the start.
23:45Julia took a step closer,
23:47leaning her upper body
23:47over his mahogany desk,
23:49her voice dripping
23:50with seduction.
23:50He made me.
23:51He used his status
23:53to force me
23:53to stay with him.
23:54But in my heart,
23:56I have always admired
23:58men like you.
23:59Real men.
24:01Men with real power
24:03and ambition.
24:04A mocking gleam
24:05flashed in Mateo's eyes.
24:06Is that so?
24:07He forced you?
24:09Seeing Mateo
24:09hadn't kicked her out,
24:11Julia was thrilled.
24:12She even dropped
24:13to her knees,
24:14pressing herself
24:14against his leg.
24:16It is true.
24:18Cassian is nothing.
24:19He is a brainless coward.
24:22I never loved him.
24:24As long as you
24:26let me stay
24:26by your side,
24:28I will do
24:29anything
24:30you want.
24:32Julia!
24:36A roar of utter
24:38disbelief
24:38and raw fury
24:39echoed from the doorway.
24:41Cassian stared
24:42dead,
24:42eyed at Julia,
24:43who was kneeling
24:44on the floor,
24:44her dress half off,
24:46offering herself
24:46to Mateo.
24:47You treacherous
24:48whore!
24:49He charged forward
24:50like a madman,
24:51wrapping his hands
24:52around Julia's throat
24:53and slamming her
24:54hard into the floor.
24:55I threw away
24:56my title
24:57as godfather
24:58for you!
24:59I abandoned
25:00my own mother
25:01for you!
25:01And you dare
25:02betray me?
25:03I will kill you!
25:04Julia screamed
25:05in terror,
25:06desperately slapping
25:07his arms,
25:08her eyes rolling
25:08into the back
25:09of her head.
25:10Cassian probably
25:10didn't realize
25:11that if Mateo
25:12hadn't explicitly
25:13ordered the downstairs
25:14guards to let him
25:15through,
25:16he wouldn't have
25:16even made it
25:17into the lobby.
25:18How could we
25:18throw a play
25:19without the lead actor?
25:20I stepped out
25:20from behind
25:21the concealed door
25:22looking down
25:23at them
25:23from above.
25:24Traded a billion
25:25dollar mafia empire
25:26for a woman
25:26like this.
25:28Your true love
25:29sure didn't come
25:29cheap,
25:30Cassian.
25:30That broke him.
25:31Hearing my voice,
25:32Cassian snapped
25:33his head up.
25:34Then,
25:34he suddenly started
25:35laughing like a
25:36complete psychopath.
25:37He was choking
25:38Julia,
25:38laughing out loud
25:39while massive tears
25:40rolled down his face.
25:41I was wrong!
25:43I was so fucking wrong!
25:45This circus ended
25:45with Mateo's bodyguards
25:47dragging them both out.
25:48Cassian's face
25:49was twisted
25:49with mania.
25:50I recognized that
25:51look,
25:51it was the exact
25:52same one he'd had
25:53before he killed
25:54me in my past life.
25:55Have your guys
25:55keep an eye on him.
25:56He's about to go
25:57completely insane.
25:58Don't worry.
26:00This time around,
26:01I'm not letting
26:02anyone hurt you.
26:06When I received
26:07the video
26:08from my private
26:09investigator,
26:09I was standing
26:10by the floor-to-ceiling
26:11windows holding
26:12a glass of red wine.
26:14The video showed
26:14an abandoned,
26:15rotting pier
26:16on the outskirts
26:17of Brooklyn.
26:17Cassian was drenched
26:19in rain,
26:19his eyes bloodshot.
26:20He had pawned
26:21his last pistol
26:22to hire a shady van,
26:23kidnapping both
26:24Julia and Jax.
26:25Fierce winds
26:26whipped the freezing
26:27ocean water
26:28against the rocks.
26:29Julia's hands
26:29and feet
26:30were bound
26:30with thick rope.
26:31Her face
26:32was twisted
26:32in sheer horror.
26:33Cassian!
26:35Cassian,
26:35I'm sorry!
26:36I really am!
26:38Please don't kill me!
26:40Let's start over,
26:41okay?
26:43I don't want
26:44any jewelry
26:44or money anymore!
26:46I only love you!
26:48I am so cold!
26:50My head hurts
26:51so much,
26:52Cassian!
26:52I have a fever!
26:54You used to care
26:55about me!
26:56She was using
26:56her usual pathetic act.
26:58In my past life,
26:59it was a sentence
27:00just like that,
27:01which drove Cassian
27:02mad with guilt,
27:03making him throw me
27:04into the freezing,
27:05pitch,
27:05Black River.
27:06This time,
27:07she got to taste
27:08the water herself.
27:09Faced with her begging,
27:10Cassian showed
27:11zero mercy.
27:11His face was locked
27:12in a mask
27:13of absolute manic hysteria.
27:15A fever?
27:17Perfect!
27:18It is nice and cool
27:19at the bottom of the ocean.
27:20Let me send you there
27:22right now!
27:23Cassian grabbed Julia
27:24by the hair
27:24and dragged her
27:25toward the edge
27:26of the pier.
27:27Didn't you say
27:27I was brainless?
27:28Didn't you say
27:29I was nothing?
27:30You bitch!
27:32You ruined my life
27:33and now you are
27:34going to fucking die!
27:36Roaring,
27:37he tied a heavy
27:38cinder block
27:38tight to her ankles.
27:39Julia let out
27:40a scream of pure despair.
27:42Help!
27:44Help me!
27:45While Cassian
27:46was busy tying
27:46the knot,
27:47Jax,
27:48who was tied up nearby,
27:49had somehow managed
27:50to scrape through
27:50his zip ties.
27:51Pushed to the brink
27:52of death,
27:53his survival instinct
27:54kicked in.
27:55Jax broke free,
27:56grabbed a rusted
27:57piece of rebar
27:58from the ground
27:58and lunged.
27:59He drove it
28:00straight into
28:00Cassian's back.
28:01Cassian let out
28:02a blood-curdling scream.
28:03He convulsed,
28:04staring in disbelief
28:06at the iron spike
28:07protruding from his stomach.
28:08The agonizing pain
28:10twisted his face,
28:11but he didn't fall,
28:12holding his
28:13bleeding stomach.
28:13a sickening,
28:15eerie grin spread
28:16across his face.
28:17If I'm going to hell,
28:19you are all coming
28:21with me.
28:23You are all coming
28:24with me!
28:25Using the very last
28:26ounce of his strength,
28:27he raised his foot
28:28and kicked Julia
28:29hard off the edge.
28:31Julia let out
28:31one final,
28:32piercing scream
28:33before plummeting
28:34straight into the dark ocean.
28:36The wind howled
28:37and the waves
28:37swallowed her whole,
28:38just like what I
28:39experienced in my past life.
28:41Now,
28:41it was returned to them
28:42exactly as they deserved.
28:44Drained of life,
28:45Cassian collapsed
28:46into a pool
28:47of his own blood,
28:48coughing up bloody foam.
28:49He laughed maniacally
28:50at the sky.
28:51On my end of the screen,
28:52I calmly pressed pause.
28:54That lingering,
28:55suffocating chill,
28:55the trauma that had
28:56clung to my soul
28:57like a parasite
28:58since my rebirth
28:59finally dissipated
29:00into thin air.
29:01I made a phone call,
29:02my voice perfectly level.
29:03You can call the cops now.
29:04Tell them you spotted
29:06a wanted mafia fugitive
29:07with heavy deaths.
29:11The police quickly
29:13arrived at the pier.
29:14By then,
29:15Cassian was already
29:16half-conscious
29:17from blood loss.
29:18Jax,
29:18who had tried to hide
29:19in a shipping container,
29:20was dragged out
29:21in handcuffs
29:22like a dead dog.
29:23Three months later,
29:24the court delivered
29:24the final verdicts.
29:26Jax was convicted
29:27on multiple charges
29:28and sentenced
29:28to 20 years
29:29in a maximum security prison.
29:31Rumor had it
29:32that during his
29:32very first month
29:33he was recognized
29:34by some thugs
29:35he had crossed
29:36on the outside,
29:36including the bookies
29:37he still owed money to.
29:39In a blind spot
29:40he got away
29:40from the security cameras.
29:42Jax's spine
29:42was accidentally snapped.
29:44For the rest
29:45of his miserable life,
29:46he would be paralyzed
29:47in a prison hospital bed,
29:48begging for death.
29:51Cassian,
29:51convicted of first-degree murder,
29:53was sentenced
29:53to death without delay.
29:55In his final days
29:56on death row
29:57due to a severe infection
29:58from his wound,
29:59he ran constant high fevers,
30:01leaving him delirious.
30:02In his endless suffering,
30:03he started having
30:04frequent hallucinations.
30:05In his delusions,
30:07he saw Valerie
30:07storm the yacht
30:08with a crew,
30:09dragging him back
30:10to the hospital.
30:11He saw himself
30:12pushing open
30:13the hospital doors,
30:14hearing the lawyer
30:15announce his name
30:15as he slipped
30:16on the black Onyx ring
30:17and became
30:18the all-powerful Dawn.
30:20In his dream,
30:21he was dressed
30:21in a sharp suit,
30:22sitting in the highest office
30:24of the Russo family empire.
30:25It was a glorious,
30:27dazzling future
30:27that belonged entirely to him.
30:29Cassian laughed out loud
30:30in his sleep.
30:31I am the Dawn.
30:32I am the Godfather.
30:34The violent slamming
30:35of the iron cell door
30:37ripped him out
30:37of his beautiful,
30:38decadent dream
30:39and dragged him
30:40back to reality.
30:41Cassian's eyes
30:42snapped open.
30:43There was no manor.
30:44There was no mafia empire.
30:46There was only
30:46a dark, damp death row cell
30:48that reeked of urine.
30:49He was wearing
30:50a rough prison uniform,
30:51heavy death row shackles
30:52binding his wrists.
30:54With every movement,
30:55the chains rattled
30:56with a terrifying metallic echo.
30:58The guard walked in deadpan,
30:59tossing a death warrant
31:00onto his cot.
31:01No, no, this isn't real.
31:03I was just signing contracts.
31:05I am the Dawn.
31:06Let me out.
31:07The psychological whiplash
31:08plummeting from the throne
31:10straight into hell
31:11shattered Cassian completely.
31:12That extreme agony
31:13of having it all
31:14and losing it
31:15sliced his soul to ribbons,
31:17cut by cut.
31:18But soon,
31:18a lethal injection
31:19silenced him forever.
31:21Meanwhile,
31:22on the other side of the city,
31:23a gray-haired woman
31:24reeking of decay
31:25rummaged through a dumpster.
31:27It was Carmel.
31:31The day she found out
31:33her son was sentenced to death,
31:35the shock caused
31:36a massive stroke,
31:37leaving her permanently
31:38paralyzed on one side.
31:39Mateo threw her out
31:40without a second thought,
31:42and her former cronies
31:43avoided her like the plague.
31:44Now,
31:45dragging her half-dead body around,
31:47she survived
31:47by begging on the streets
31:49of New York.
31:49Above her,
31:50the massive screens
31:51in Times Square
31:52broadcasted the financial news.
31:54On screen,
31:55Mateo,
31:55wearing an impeccable suit
31:57and surrounded by politicians,
31:59confidently announced
31:59the launch of a new
32:00multi-billion dollar syndicate.
32:02That was supposed to be her son.
32:04That was supposed to be her glory.
32:05A freezing gust of wind
32:07blew past,
32:08scattering her bitter,
32:09incoherent curses
32:10into the dark corners
32:12of the city.
32:12Inside a luxurious penthouse
32:14in Manhattan,
32:15Mateo and I sat across
32:16from each other
32:17by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
32:19On the table rested
32:20two neatly stacked documents.
32:21One was my finalized divorce decree.
32:23The other was a contract
32:25granting me a 20% dividend
32:26in the new syndicate.
32:27This was the deal
32:28Mateo and I made
32:30in the hospital that day.
32:31I fed him the intel
32:32and stalled Cassian.
32:33In return,
32:34he gave me immense wealth
32:35and cleared every hurdle
32:37from my divorce.
32:38A pleasure doingsness
32:39with you, Valerie.
32:40Mateo raised his whiskey glass
32:42with a slight knowing smile.
32:43I stood up
32:44and walked to the glass,
32:45looking down
32:46at the glittering city below.
32:48In the distance,
32:48a brilliant firework
32:49bloomed across the skyline.
32:51I raised my glass,
32:53gently clinking it
32:54against his,
32:54listening to the crisp sound
32:56of ice hitting the crystal.
32:57I looked at the gorgeous night view
32:59and replied softly,
33:00Cheers to our new lives.
33:05When I took that bullet
33:06from Mateo,
33:07I only had one thought.
33:09I wasn't about to let
33:09my percentage go up in smoke.
33:11The shooter was one
33:12of Cassian's old loyalists.
33:14A desperate ghost
33:14who lost everything
33:15when Mateo took the throne,
33:17looking for payback.
33:18The bullet tore
33:19through my shoulder blade.
33:20The pain nearly blacked me out.
33:22Mateo's hands pressed hard
33:23against my wound,
33:24hot as branding irons.
33:26He growled something
33:26in my ear,
33:27but I didn't catch a word.
33:29I just felt his pounding heart
33:30against my chest.
33:31Three days later,
33:32I opened my eyes.
33:33Mateo was sitting right
33:34by the bed,
33:35wrinkled suit,
33:36dark stubble coating his jaw,
33:38seeing me awake.
33:39His dark eyes
33:40immediately lit up.
33:41He leaned in
33:42close to my side.
33:43You're awake.
33:44Don't get emotional.
33:47I couldn't let my cash cow die.
33:49He grabbed my hand.
33:50His fingers clamped down
33:52so hard it almost hurt,
33:53like he was holding
33:54onto something
33:55he'd nearly lost forever.
33:56Valerie,
33:57I have a new proposition.
34:04Marry me.
34:04His voice was low.
34:06I froze.
34:06What?
34:07I couldn't entirely read.
34:08My brother is dead,
34:10and the old Capris
34:11won't stay quiet.
34:13You were a Russo wife
34:14for three years.
34:15You know their secrets
34:16better than anyone.
34:17and I need you.
34:18He paused,
34:19then continued.
34:20And the real books?
34:21Family only.
34:22I make you my wife.
34:23You get the keys.
34:24It's the only way in.
34:26I stared at him.
34:27My pulse jumped.
34:28He needed me
34:28to secure his empire,
34:30or so he said.
34:31He had plenty of enemies.
34:32Yes, but this,
34:33this wasn't just
34:34about the family anymore.
34:36A two-year contract.
34:37You'll be the real Donna.
34:3950% cut.
34:40When time is up,
34:42you walk away free.
34:43Cassian gave me nothing
34:44but three years
34:45of humiliation
34:46and betrayal.
34:47And this man,
34:48he was handing me
34:49a clean exit
34:49and half a mafia empire
34:51on a silver platter.
34:53What's the catch?
34:59Be my wife.
35:01A real wife, Valerie.
35:02Not a trophy
35:03like you were for Cassian.
35:05Which means?
35:07It means you move
35:08into my room.
35:09You sleep in my bed.
35:10You act like a loving wife
35:11in front of everyone.
35:12The air suddenly felt scorching.
35:14Mateo pulled a folded document
35:15from his inside jacket pocket.
35:17Termination clause
35:18is on the last page.
35:20I flipped to the back.
35:21My eyes caught on the words.
35:22Mateo's restrictions
35:23were packed into 12 bullet points.
35:25No coercion.
35:26Unrestricted movement.
35:27Absolute privacy.
35:29Separate finances.
35:30But my termination clause,
35:31just one line,
35:32triggered unilaterally.
35:34Effective immediately.
35:36Why?
35:36Because you're worth it.
35:38Three years,
35:39nobody had ever said that to me.
35:44I didn't hesitate.
35:45My fingers shook slightly
35:46from the painkillers,
35:47but I signed my name.
35:48Mateo took the contract.
35:50He looked at my signature
35:50for a long second.
35:53Valerie,
35:53I promise you one thing.
35:55Nobody hurts you
35:56ever again.
35:58The door clicked shut.
35:59Then,
35:59my phone buzzed
36:00on the bedside tray.
36:01A single text message
36:02from Mateo.
36:14For three days
36:15before the wedding,
36:16my room overflowed
36:17with luxury boxes.
36:18Mateo's men
36:19practically bought out
36:20half of Manhattan.
36:21Day one,
36:22five tailors
36:23showed up
36:23with four lookbooks.
36:25They measured
36:25around my shoulders
36:26like I was made of glass.
36:28Mr. Russo insisted
36:29all necklines
36:31must avoid
36:31your left shoulder.
36:32The gunshot wound
36:33was still healing,
36:34he remembered.
36:35Day two,
36:36jewelers brought in
36:36trays of diamonds.
36:37I pointed at the cheapest,
36:39plainest white gold band.
36:41This one.
36:42The jeweler paled.
36:42He scurried to a corner
36:43and whispered
36:44into his phone.
36:45The donna
36:46chose an entry-level piece.
36:48By evening,
36:49that plain band was gone.
36:50In its place
36:51sat a massive
36:52emerald-cut diamond ring.
36:54Basim engraved
36:55on the inside.
36:55It easily cost
36:56a hundred times more
36:58than the band I picked.
36:59Day three,
37:00maids stumbled
37:01in carrying the entire
37:02spring collection
37:03in champagne silk.
37:04What is all this?
37:06Mr. Russo said
37:07this is just pocket money.
37:08There are twelve more
37:09bags downstairs.
37:10I leaned against
37:11the vanity,
37:12staring at the sea
37:12of velvet boxes.
37:14Unbidden,
37:14a memory surfaced.
37:16The night before
37:16I married Cassian,
37:18I was stuck
37:18in a cheap motel room,
37:20ironing my own
37:20wrinkled wedding dress.
37:22Cassian had been
37:22forty minutes late.
37:24He was busy
37:24helping Julia
37:25pick out a gift.
37:26A bitter ache
37:26twisted in my chest,
37:28followed by a cold,
37:29hard sense of closure.
37:30I finally saw
37:31how pathetic
37:31I had been,
37:32how little
37:33I had settled for.
37:37The wedding took place
37:39at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
37:40I looped my arm
37:41through Mateo's
37:42as we walked
37:42down the aisle.
37:43The pews were packed
37:44with capos and rivals.
37:45Their stares sliced
37:46at me like blades.
37:48Chin up.
37:48Look straight ahead.
37:50His large,
37:50warm hand
37:51covered mine.
37:52Just like that,
37:53the suffocating
37:53hostility in the room
37:55vanished.
37:55The pipe organ
37:56roared to life.
37:57The priest
37:58read the vows,
37:59but it was all
37:59white noise.
38:00I only felt
38:01Mateo sliding
38:02that heavy emerald ring
38:03down my finger.
38:04You may kiss the bride.
38:06Mateo's hand
38:07cupped my jaw.
38:09The kiss was brief,
38:10a mere brush of lips.
38:12Late that night,
38:13I sat on the edge
38:14of our massive bed.
38:15The ring felt heavy,
38:16branding my skin.
38:17The shower ran
38:18in the master bathroom.
38:19I stared at the green stone,
38:21flashing back
38:22to my first wedding night.
38:23I had spent it alone,
38:24staring at the ceiling
38:25until dawn.
38:26Cassian had spent
38:27the whole night
38:27with Julia.
38:28The water shut off.
38:29Mateo stepped out.
38:30His dark hair was damp,
38:31sticking to his forehead.
38:32He wore a loose black robe.
38:34He walked straight
38:34to the window,
38:35his sharp eyes
38:36scanning the street below.
38:37A black SUV
38:38idled in the shadows
38:39across the street.
38:40Mateo turned back to me.
38:41A lazy,
38:42dangerous smirk
38:43played on his lips.
38:44Looks like we're
38:45sharing a bed tonight,
38:46wife.
38:55That night,
38:56I lay in his massive bed,
38:57completely tense.
38:58The bed was too big.
39:00It smelled just like him,
39:01making my heart
39:02hammer against my ribs.
39:03I waited for the nightmares.
39:04I waited for the feeling
39:05of freezing water
39:06under the Brooklyn Bridge.
39:08But at 3 a.m.,
39:09my eyes snapped open.
39:10I realized I had slept soundly
39:12for five straight hours.
39:13The first time
39:14since I came back to life.
39:15I cracked the door open.
39:17Mateo was sitting
39:18on the living room couch.
39:19He was standing guard.
39:20My heart raced.
39:22A strange heat
39:22bloomed in my chest.
39:24At the board dinner
39:25three days later,
39:26old capo Ricci
39:28sneered at me.
39:29Everyone caught it.
39:30Collecting quite
39:31the consultation fee,
39:32aren't we, Don's wife?
39:34Consultation fee
39:34was old school mob slang.
39:36It meant skimmed money.
39:37Mateo sat at the head
39:38of the table.
39:39His whiskey glass
39:40paused in midair.
39:41He didn't say a single word.
39:42He was giving me the floor.
39:43I put down my silverware
39:44and calmly dabbed my mouth.
39:46You're right, Mr. Ricci.
39:47Consultation fees
39:48are a beautiful thing.
39:50Take the $170,000
39:52you collected last month,
39:53for example.
39:53Wired to your mistress
39:54Cayman Islands account
39:55in three separate installments.
39:57First wire,
39:58$58,000.
39:59Transferred at 2.03 a.m.
40:01on the 5th.
40:02Second wire,
40:02$62,000.
40:034.17 p.m.
40:04on the 12th.
40:05Want me to recite
40:06the exact time and amount
40:07for the third?
40:09The room was completely silent.
40:15I picked up my knife
40:16and casually sliced my steak.
40:18Relax, I don't care
40:20about your private life.
40:21Just stop testing me
40:22with cheap insults
40:23and we can play nice.
40:25The whispers around
40:26the table vanished.
40:28Out of the corner of my eye,
40:29I saw Mateo watching me.
40:31In the car ride back,
40:32Mateo suddenly broke the silence.
40:34You looked beautiful back there.
40:36I turned to him.
40:37What?
40:37When you were tearing him apart.
40:39Beautiful.
40:40A genuine laugh escaped me.
40:42The first time
40:43since I woke up in this body.
40:45Do that more, Valerie.
40:46You should smile more.
40:48That night,
40:49I dreamed of the Brooklyn Bridge again.
40:51Freezing water flooded my lungs.
40:52Julia stood on the bridge,
40:54looking smug
40:54as I sank into the dark.
40:56Help!
40:57I screamed.
40:58I jolted awake,
40:59drenched in cold sweat.
41:01I was gripping something.
41:02Hard.
41:03A large, warm hand.
41:05I turned my head
41:06in the dim moonlight.
41:07Mateo was sitting
41:08on the edge of the mattress.
41:09His voice was a low,
41:11rough rumble.
41:12You're safe.
41:13You're not there anymore.
41:14Who let you in?
41:15I was passing by.
41:16Your room is at the end of the hall.
41:18I said I was passing by.
41:20I slowly loosened
41:21my death grip on his hand.
41:23My breath caught.
41:24Four bloody crescent moons
41:25scarred the back of his hand.
41:26He hadn't made a single sound.
41:28Mateo lay down
41:29on the small sofa.
41:30I'm sleeping here tonight.
41:31Relax.
41:33I'm not interested
41:33in my business partner.
41:35Go to sleep.
41:36I glared at his broad back
41:37for a long time
41:38before finally lying down.
41:39I could hear his steady breathing.
41:41It slowly eased my tense nerves.
41:43A dreamless night.
41:47Seven straight days.
41:49Mateo showed up on my sofa
41:50on the dot every night.
41:52Always with the same book.
41:53Always gone before dawn.
41:55I actually started looking forward
41:56to the sound of his breathing.
41:58But on the ninth morning,
41:59I opened my bedroom door.
42:00The sofa was empty.
42:02No book.
42:03No wrinkled jacket.
42:04Even his cedar scent was gone.
42:05I told myself it was fine.
42:07He had no obligation
42:08to babysit a partner's nightmares.
42:10But during the morning board meeting,
42:12my mind spun.
42:12I mixed up the gun
42:13and drug shipment numbers three times.
42:15The capos across the table
42:17exchanged confused looks.
42:19Mateo glanced at me
42:20from the head of the table
42:21several times,
42:22but stayed quiet.
42:23Late that night,
42:23I dragged my exhausted body home
42:25and pushed my door open.
42:27Mateo was casually stretched out
42:28on the sofa again.
42:29He was a few dozen pages
42:31further into his book.
42:32He acted like last night
42:33hadn't happened.
42:34It's late.
42:35He didn't look up.
42:36You don't have to do this.
42:37Sleeping here every night.
42:39Watching over me.
42:40You have your own bed.
42:42Your own room.
42:44Mateo closed his file
42:46and met my gaze.
42:47You're right.
42:48I don't have to.
42:48But I want to, Valerie.
42:50You want to?
42:51He leaned back.
42:53Call it protecting my investment.
42:55I knew it was an excuse.
42:57You stay sharp during the day.
42:59My money is safe.
43:00But for some reason,
43:02my heart did a wild flip.
43:07I lay in bed,
43:09listening to the soft rustle of pages.
43:11The faint creak of the leather sofa
43:12when he shifted.
43:13At 4 a.m.
43:14something pulled me out of bed.
43:15Without making a sound,
43:16I walked over and crouched by the sofa.
43:18Mateo seemed asleep,
43:19but his brows were knit tight
43:21like he was in pain.
43:22Moonlight spilled through the window,
43:24casting soft shadows
43:25on his sharp jawline.
43:26With his eyes closed,
43:27he looked younger.
43:28Thick brows,
43:29long lashes.
43:30I reached out,
43:31wanting to smooth the crease
43:32between his brows.
43:33The second my fingers
43:34almost brushed his skin,
43:36his eyes snapped open.
43:37His hand shot out
43:38and grabbed my wrist.
43:39Our eyes locked.
43:40We were so close,
43:41I could see my own reflection
43:43in his dark pupils.
43:44His voice was gravelly,
43:45laced with a dangerous tease.
43:47Touching costs extra.
43:48My face instantly burned.
43:50You had a smudge on your forehead?
43:52It was the lamest excuse
43:53I could come up with.
43:54Mateo stared at me
43:56for three agonizing seconds.
43:57Then he slowly released my wrist.
43:59Oh yeah?
44:00His lips twitched up.
44:02Did you wipe it off?
44:03I scrambled to my feet,
44:04my heart hammering.
44:05Yeah, it's gone.
44:06I bolted back to bed
44:07and cocooned myself in the blanket.
44:09My heartbeat was deafening,
44:10A low, raspy chuckle
44:11came from across the room.
44:13Next time you want to touch,
44:13just touch.
44:14On the house.
44:15I grabbed a pillow
44:16and hurled it at him.
44:21Mateo, is this
44:22the legendary bitch
44:24who got your brother
44:24thrown on death row?
44:25Frankie DeMarco,
44:26a heavy-hitting arms broker,
44:28clamped a Cuban cigar
44:29in his teeth.
44:30Mateo ignored him.
44:32He kept flipping
44:32through the contract.
44:33DeMarco stubbed out his cigar.
44:35Fucks the older brother,
44:37then moves to the younger one.
44:38She must be a freak
44:39in the sheets.
44:41No wonder you married
44:42Cassian's leftovers.
44:44Before he could finish
44:45his breath,
44:46Mateo shot up.
44:47He flipped the heavy table
44:48with bare hands,
44:49vials, coffee mugs,
44:50and contracts smashed
44:51into DeMarco.
44:52Before DeMarco
44:53could even process it,
44:54Mateo vaulted over the wreckage
44:56and grabbed him by the tie.
44:57The first punch
44:58landed square
44:59on DeMarco's cheekbone.
45:00A loud crack
45:01echoed in the room.
45:02DeMarco screamed
45:03and tried to swing back,
45:05but Mateo's second punch
45:06shattered his nose.
45:07Blood spurted everywhere.
45:08It splattered across
45:09Mateo's crisp white shirt.
45:11Mateo raised his fist
45:13for a third strike.
45:14The sound of guns
45:15cocking echoed.
45:16Mateo,
45:16ENOUGH!
45:17I shouted,
45:18jumping to my feet.
45:19Mateo's fist
45:20froze in midair.
45:21Slowly,
45:22he released DeMarco's tie,
45:23but he didn't
45:24back down an inch.
45:25Now!
45:26Sign the contract
45:27with the original terms!
45:28DeMarco clutched
45:29his ruined nose.
45:30Blood poured
45:31through his fingers.
45:32Sign it,
45:33or do you want
45:33to taste round three?
45:34Mateo held up
45:35his bloody fist.
45:36Shaking violently,
45:37DeMarco signed.
45:38In the car ride back,
45:40I stared at the red stains
45:41on Mateo's shirt.
45:42You shouldn't have been
45:43so reckless.
45:44It's just words,
45:45Mateo.
45:46Pull over!
45:48Mateo snapped at the driver.
45:49The SUV screeched
45:50to a halt.
45:51The privacy partition
45:52rolled up.
45:53Mateo turned to me.
45:54One large hand gripped
45:55the back of my neck.
45:56The other grabbed my chin.
45:57Then,
45:58his mouth crashed
45:58down on mine.
45:59My mind went
46:00completely blank.
46:01All I felt
46:02was his heat
46:02and his ragged breath.
46:04When he finally pulled away,
46:05we were both panting heavily.
46:08Nothing in the contract
46:09says I can't kiss you.
46:10His thumb roughly brushed
46:11my swollen lips.
46:12Anyone ever talks to you
46:13like that again,
46:14I'll kill them.
46:15I opened my mouth
46:15to speak,
46:16but no words came out.
46:17Right then,
46:18Mateo's phone rang,
46:19shattering the heavy silence.
46:32Mateo,
46:33later,
46:33my husband and I
46:34flew back stateside
46:35for a family memorial.
46:36My husband had
46:37a last-minute work emergency,
46:38so he told his local branch
46:40to send a car for me.
46:41I walked out of the airport
46:42and froze.
46:44My driver was Seth,
46:45my ex-fiancé.
46:47Yo, Seth,
46:48isn't that your obsessed ex?
46:49Isn't that Vanessa?
46:50See,
46:51I told you guys,
46:52I knew she'd come crawling back.
46:55Vanessa vanished
46:56without a trace.
46:56Now she sees Seth
46:58is lo-
46:58after that.
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