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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 #MovieLovers
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TechTranscript
00:01My husband kicked me out because I ate too much.
00:04Signing the divorce papers that night, I left with nothing.
00:07With only a duffel bag and $36 in my pocket, I wandered the rainy streets alone.
00:11Then I spotted a flyer on a utility pole.
00:14Stepmother needed, room and board included.
00:16That exact flyer changed my life.
00:18It turned me into a woman far beyond my ex-husband's reach.
00:21That night, I followed the address and entered the estate of Luca Castellano,
00:25the head of New York's oldest mafia family.
00:27Outside the mansion, the butler beside me oozed quiet arrogance.
00:32The Don needs a mother for his child, not a wife.
00:36Get that straight.
00:37The Don is highly attractive.
00:39Don't get any ideas.
00:40I lowered my head, secretly delighted.
00:42Honestly, this job was perfect for me.
00:45In short, they just needed an upscale nanny,
00:47and the last thing I wanted was another husband.
00:49Free mansion lodging.
00:50At this point, that felt like a miracle.
00:53Don't worry.
00:54I won't get any ideas.
00:56As we passed a room with its door ajar,
00:58a gunshot rang out, and a man crumpled to the floor instantly.
01:01Through the crack in the door, I recognized the face I'd seen in the New York Times.
01:05The Don is handling some business.
01:07Don't take it personally.
01:10After I changed into dry clothes, he led me to the dining room,
01:14at one end of a long wooden table.
01:15Father and son sat in a tent standoff.
01:17The man with the murderous glare was gone.
01:19In his place at the table sat an exhausted, helpless father.
01:24Just one bite.
01:25One tiny bite.
01:26Is that too much to ask?
01:27It was almost funny.
01:28He could deal with traitors and torture enemies.
01:30But now this little brat had him stumped.
01:32Feeding him was harder than running an empire.
01:34Don, the candidate is here.
01:36So this was no dream.
01:37No scam.
01:38New York's most feared man.
01:39A man like Luca Castellano had no reason to trick some homeless nobody.
01:43Name?
01:44Nora Bennett.
01:46Try.
01:47So this was my interview.
01:49If I failed, I'd be sleeping on a train tonight.
01:51Wearing my warmest smile, I stepped toward the boy.
01:54He dove under the table.
01:55Only his big, round, dark eyes peeked out, glaring furiously at me.
01:59Make her leave!
02:01They're all bad women!
02:02He'd already burned through countless stepmothers before me.
02:05Fat woman!
02:06You're ugly!
02:06Go away!
02:07I was a little annoyed.
02:08Calm down.
02:09He was just a kid.
02:10I scanned the room and immediately spotted them.
02:12Action figures everywhere.
02:13Grabbing two action figures from the coffee table.
02:15I crouched beside the table and held up a spoon.
02:18Don't worry.
02:19I'm not feeding you.
02:20I'm feeding him.
02:21I pretended to scoop up a spoonful and held it to Little Hero's mouth.
02:24Come on, open wide.
02:26You heroes skip dinner.
02:27Look at those skinny little arms and legs.
02:29You can't protect anybody like that.
02:32Oh, Little Hero wants veggies?
02:34Good choice.
02:35Spinach makes you strong.
02:36The boy swallowed hard.
02:37I pretended not to see him on the verge of tears.
02:40Wait, Little Hero.
02:41Can you share some with him?
02:43If he wants to grow big and strong, he has to eat too.
02:47I nodded Little Hero's head in agreement, then turned to the boy.
02:50You want to be strong, little man?
02:52He nodded eagerly.
02:53Just a tiny bite.
02:54Only a little.
02:56We don't want you to get stronger than Little Hero.
02:58He'd be sad.
02:59Before the spoon even reached him, he lunged, mouth wide open.
03:02Why can't I have veggies?
03:04Are you scared?
03:06I'm gonna be stronger than Little Hero.
03:08You meanie!
03:09I glanced at Luca Castellano.
03:11The corner of his mouth lifted into a genuine, approving smile.
03:14I moved into the castle that same night.
03:16The butler led me to my room, then gave me one final warning.
03:19Do not go to the third floor.
03:21Ever.
03:21His voice dropped.
03:22The last woman who snuck up there and tried to get into Don Luca's bed,
03:25he threw her out of a second-story window.
03:27I thought about the gun from an hour ago.
03:29I nodded hard.
03:30I promise.
03:31I slipped into the silk pajamas laid out in the closet.
03:34Dammit.
03:35I seriously need to lose weight.
03:39Come downstairs.
03:40We need to talk.
03:41Oh.
03:42Okay.
03:44Luca sat in the living room, legs crossed, swirling a glass of whiskey.
03:48I tugged awkwardly at my pajama hem, trying to hide my stomach.
03:51You're good with kids?
03:54Do you have any of your own?
03:55No.
03:56I helped raise my ex's nephew for two years.
03:59His family called me a glutton who made no money.
04:02They forced me to quit my job, fired the nanny, then dumped their kid on me.
04:05I wasn't their daughter-in-law.
04:07I was nothing but an unpaid babysitter.
04:11Your file says you're divorced.
04:14Yes.
04:15Why?
04:16He was ashamed of my body.
04:19And he looked down on my small-town roots.
04:22I guess only a coward would say something like that.
04:25You saw the ad.
04:26I'm looking for a mother for Leo, not a date for myself.
04:30My enemies terrified him when he was little.
04:33Ever since then, he's never felt safe, hates going outside, and has zero friends.
04:38I work long hours, so I need someone patient to stay with him.
04:43We'll sign a prenup.
04:44Everything stays separate, especially what happens in the bedroom.
04:48I looked into his eyes, and my heart skipped a beat.
04:50My ex and I signed a similar prenup over our background gap.
04:54When the love died, I left the house and a powerful mafia family like the Castellanos.
04:58They would be even more cautious.
05:00I understand.
05:02Honestly, if you just need someone around the house, we don't have to make it legal.
05:06I don't mind skipping all the paperwork.
05:08Luca shook his head.
05:09He leaned forward, lightly tapping his fingers against the table.
05:12The marriage is for Leo.
05:14He needs a mother's love.
05:15Something stable and lasting.
05:17And marriage is the strongest contract there is.
05:20Fine.
05:21We'll do it your way.
05:23Don't worry.
05:25You'll have a monthly allowance of $100,000.
05:28That was the part I actually cared about.
05:31If we ever get divorced, will the money you've given me still be mine?
05:34Of course.
05:35It's yours.
05:36Then okay.
05:37As for sex, I have no expectations of you.
05:39Just stay on the second floor.
05:41Of course.
05:42So, three days after I signed my divorce papers, I got married again.
05:45There was no ceremony.
05:47Just like my first wedding.
05:48But at dinner, Luca suddenly slid a ring across the table toward me.
05:51It was the Castellano family's signet ring.
05:54There's no need to do this.
05:56Sebastian had never even given me his family ring.
05:58This was all for Leo.
06:00Only later did I realize he needed the illusion of a home.
06:02I fell silent for a moment.
06:04Then I took the ring.
06:07I'll keep it safe.
06:08That night, I had just gotten into bed when my door creaked open.
06:11Barefoot with wild bedhead.
06:12Leo stood there, fidgeting with his dinosaur pajamas.
06:16What's wrong, little man?
06:17Nora, can you read me a bedtime story?
06:20I can ask dad to give you more money.
06:24Come here.
06:25I pulled back the covers to make room for him.
06:27He scrambled in beside me like he'd waited all day.
06:30Nora, it's so cramped.
06:32Oh, you little rascal.
06:35I was only halfway through the story when he fell fast asleep against my shoulder.
06:39The next morning at breakfast, the butler told Luca that Leo had slept in my bed.
06:43Luca froze.
06:44I'll add another $50,000 to your monthly allowance.
06:47Mr. Castellano, that's really too much.
06:49Not even close.
06:50I'd put far more into my last marriage than that.
06:53An eyesore.
06:54You do nothing but eat and sleep.
06:57Mr. Castellano, you're really too generous.
07:00I like Leo.
07:01He's a good kid.
07:03Reading him a story is no trouble at all.
07:05The moment I said that, Leo walked over, wrapping his tiny, warm hand around my finger.
07:09He looked up at me with big, dark eyes like two grapes.
07:12He was clearly touched.
07:13Another $50,000.
07:14You've earned it.
07:15It's not up for negotiation.
07:17I gave in and thanked him.
07:18From that day on, Leo became my little shadow.
07:21Luca was busy with deals, guns, and bloodshed.
07:23He didn't come home for an entire month in that massive mansion.
07:26It was just Leo and me.
07:28I poured my heart into keeping him happy.
07:34Great!
07:35Until my follow-up appointment, the butler had warned me that Leo could not leave the house.
07:40If he did, it could trigger a panic attack.
07:42I crouched down in front of him.
07:44Sweetheart, wait for me at home.
07:46I'll be back in an hour.
07:47He clutched my hand and refused to let go.
07:49He didn't say a word, only looked at me with those dark, sorrowful eyes.
07:53I'll be right back.
07:54I'm just going to see the doctor.
07:55Then I'll come straight here to play, okay?
07:57You stay here and play.
07:58Before I could finish speaking, he scrambled into the back seat.
08:01The butler fought to hide his rising hope.
08:03Leo, do you want to go to the hospital with Nora?
08:09Thank God.
08:10He's finally willing to leave the house.
08:13Your depression is getting better.
08:14Just take it slow and try to relax.
08:16I picked up my prescription and medication, then left.
08:19Leo was waiting for me in the lobby with his little, little hero toy.
08:22Nia, are you sick?
08:23When I was teeny tiny, I didn't eat and got super sick.
08:27Promise you won't do that to yourself.
08:29Does it hurt?
08:31Here, you can have my candy.
08:33Dad says it makes the pain go away.
08:36Tears suddenly spilled down my cheeks.
08:39I have depression.
08:40Quit faking sick just for attention.
08:42The nephew I'd raised for two years stood beside his mother the day she came back.
08:46He called me fat and ugly.
08:47But this Ford Zanyardzan old mafia heir pressed his very last piece of candy into my hand.
08:52I'm gonna eat all my meals so I can grow up and protect you.
08:56Then you'd better grow up fast, sweetheart.
08:58When we walked out of the hospital, a black Maybach was idling at the curb.
09:02Luca was leaning against it.
09:07He pulled Leo into his arms, but he noticed Leo was calm and composed.
09:12Dad, as long till I'm with Nora, you don't have to worry anymore.
09:17That night, Luca tried to give me another raise.
09:19This time, he even offered me a black card.
09:21I refused instantly, making him laugh.
09:27Nora, you must want something.
09:30Can you help me find a used car under five grand?
09:32That way I can take Leo out without relying on a driver.
09:34Take any car you want from the garage.
09:36Your cheapest car is a quarter million.
09:38I'm not driving that.
09:40Fine.
09:41The next morning, a beat-up sedan was parked beside Luca's black Bentley.
09:44He'd even brought in a psychiatrist from out of town for me.
09:47The diagnosis matched the hospital's.
09:49But this time, I was prescribed imported brand name meds I could never have afforded before.
09:54Your wife needs company.
09:56Keep her stress-free.
09:59I will.
10:00The next day, I took Leo out with me.
10:01He'd always been insecure and barely knew the world outside.
10:04Now, I wanted to show it to him.
10:06Our first stop was the amusement park.
10:08He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to take pictures.
10:11Then I took him to a farmer's market.
10:12He'd never been somewhere like that in his entire life.
10:15I don't want to carry this.
10:17Leo, my hands are full.
10:19It's only a few steps.
10:21Just this once, okay?
10:22And no more ordering lobster.
10:24Nora?
10:27It was Sebastian, my ex-husband.
10:29He was in a crisp suit, hair perfect, looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine cover.
10:34It had been five weeks since the divorce.
10:36My stomach nodded on contact Sebastian.
10:38And I had met in college.
10:39He came from one of those Wall Street elite families.
10:41The golden boy of high finance.
10:43He'd ignored every objection from his family to put a ring on me at our wedding.
10:46He'd promised to protect me for life.
10:48Then he took over Crane Capital.
10:49He started finding fault with everything he wanted me to quit my job, taking care of his
10:53parents, take care of his sister's kid, cook laundry cleaning.
10:56I did all of it because I loved him.
10:57Because I'd never been loved by my own family and didn't know any better until one day I
11:01caught him in a private club with a girl in his lap.
11:03My whole world shattered.
11:04I cried.
11:05I screamed.
11:05I begged him to swear it would stop.
11:07The whole Crane family said I was overreacting.
11:09What successful man doesn't have side action?
11:11Sebastian said I'd been spoiled rotten.
11:13He blocked my number, stopped coming home.
11:15My depression cratered.
11:16I filed for divorce.
11:17He thought it was a bluff.
11:18His family told him, don't let her win.
11:20He had his lawyer draft papers.
11:21I walked out with nothing.
11:23Signed them in seven seconds.
11:24Four years of dating.
11:25Three years of marriage done.
11:27Noah Ivey.
11:28League degree and here you are playing nanny.
11:30What were you thinking?
11:31Not your business.
11:33Nora, try to understand the day you married into the Crane family.
11:37You represent the Crane name.
11:39Sebastian, we're divorced.
11:40I have nothing to do with your family anymore.
11:42Even divorced, you're my ex-wife.
11:43People still bring me up when they talk about you.
11:45Stop embarrassing.
11:46Use your head for one.
11:47Stop being emotional all the time.
11:48Nora, a few weeks out here, bet you miss being Mrs. Crane, don't you?
11:52Admit you were wrong.
11:53I'll think about taking you back.
11:55The girls outside the marriage, those were nothing.
11:57I haven't replaced you.
11:58The position's still open.
12:00Just swallow your pride.
12:01Apologize to my mother and my sister.
12:03Don't bother holding it.
12:04Give the seat to someone else, Sebastian.
12:06I'm not interested.
12:07On the drive home, a new number called Connor, the nephew I'd raised for two years.
12:11I'd blocked the rest of the Cranes, not him.
12:13Kids didn't pick their parents.
12:14Hey, Con.
12:15Nora, you divorced, loser.
12:17My mom wants to talk to you.
12:19My throat closed up.
12:20Then Cassandra Crane took the phone.
12:22Noah, Sebastian tells me you're working as a nanny.
12:25Have you ever thought about anyone but yourself?
12:28You're slapping Sebastian's face.
12:30You're slapping the Crane name.
12:31What does that look like to people?
12:33Nora, I always said it.
12:34You'll never rise above your roots.
12:36Trash dressed in silk.
12:37I hung up, blocked her, pulled over.
12:40I crashed onto the steering wheel and bawled.
12:42I cried until I couldn't breathe.
12:44I cried until I was so empty, I felt nothing.
12:47Then I sat up, wiped my face, felt the exhaustion settle bone deep.
12:51Nora, hear tissue.
12:52I'd forgotten Leo was in the back seat.
12:54He was holding a tissue out from his car seat.
12:56Big, sad eyes glued to me.
12:58I'm sorry, sweetheart.
12:59Did I scare you?
13:00I'm not scared.
13:01You can cry as long as you want.
13:02I'll wait.
13:03Adults crying isn't shameful.
13:04I won't laugh.
13:06Thanks, my little gentleman.
13:07Auntie's done.
13:08No more crying from now on.
13:10Let's go home.
13:11I went to bed early that night.
13:12Didn't feel up to dinner.
13:14Then a knock.
13:17Nora, can I come in?
13:19Robe tied carefully.
13:20I made sure nothing was showing.
13:22Come in.
13:23He was wearing a shirt, making the snake tattoo stand out even more.
13:27Dark hair falling loose over his forehead.
13:29Whiskey in his hand, looser than I'd ever seen him.
13:31He sat in the chair by my bed.
13:33His gaze flicked to my wet collarbone.
13:35Then immediately to the wall like he'd been caught.
13:39The clothes in your closet, you never wear any of them.
13:44They're too nice.
13:45I'm not used to it.
13:46I'd learned one thing from the crane marriage.
13:48Don't force yourself into a world that isn't yours.
13:51The fall is uglier when they shove you out.
13:53Are they not your style?
13:54I'll have the designer come fit you for new ones.
13:57No, no, Mr. Castellano.
13:59I'm in the house all day with Leo.
14:01There's nowhere to wear that kind of thing.
14:02Truly.
14:04I heard you saw your ex today.
14:06His name's Crane, the stupid Crane Capital.
14:09I froze.
14:10Leo had snitched.
14:11Yes, that Crane old news.
14:13Nora, since you came, Leo's been a different child.
14:16His eyes were dark and serious on mine.
14:18I shifted uncomfortable.
14:19You pay me very well.
14:20It's what I'm here for.
14:22Nora, ask me for anything.
14:24I can probably make it happen.
14:25Mr. Castellano, I don't need anything.
14:27He was quiet a long moment.
14:29His fingers tightened on his knee, then released.
14:31He stood up.
14:35I'll say this again.
14:36I'm the Don of the Castillo family.
14:38If you want, if you want, I can make sure he never speaks anymore more by tomorrow.
14:41I took a step back, still not used to him being this close.
14:44Without warning, he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
14:47Did I scare you?
14:48I said nothing.
14:49His hand slid down from my cheek.
14:50He gave a faint smile, then walked out.
14:52For the next two weeks, Luca started coming home early.
14:55Dinner with Leo and me.
14:56Sometimes board games after, sometimes a movie.
14:58A man who ran half of New York's underworld didn't change his schedule for no reason.
15:02I was starting to worry.
15:03Was the family in trouble?
15:04Not that I cared about him.
15:05I just really cared about my $150,000 a month.
15:08Mr. Castellano, you don't have to keep coming home this early.
15:11Leo has me.
15:13If you've got business, take it.
15:14Luca picked up a red Lego brick voice, perfectly neutral.
15:17The psychiatrist said, you need family.
15:19Leo and I are your family now.
15:21We have responsibilities.
15:22Since when are we family?
15:24I wanted to say.
15:24I didn't.
15:25Honestly, Leo's enough.
15:27The doctor said my improvement is mostly thanks to him.
15:29He stroked his chin, avoiding eye contact.
15:31I grabbed Leo's hand and stood.
15:33Come on, buddy.
15:35Story time.
15:35Daddy still has work.
15:36Leo and I walked out, Luca's voice stopping me at the doorway.
15:39Yes, his ears were faintly pink.
15:41He cleared his throat.
15:42Tomorrow night, there's an event.
15:44Plus, sun's required.
15:46Would you come with me?
15:47Me?
15:48You.
15:49I don't have time to find someone else.
15:53I'll pay you an appearance fee.
15:54A man with his face couldn't find a date in 24 hours.
15:57I didn't think too much.
15:58There was money on the table, sure.
16:01I don't know the social rules in your world, though.
16:04I don't want to embarrass you.
16:06The Cranes were a moneyed family, too.
16:08But Sebastian had never taken me to anything, because his mother.
16:12She doesn't know how to act in public.
16:14Don't let her embarrass us.
16:17Stand next to me.
16:18That's all.
16:19Luca's brow eased.
16:21If you want, I can make the gossipers shut up for good.
16:24The butler chimed in.
16:25Miss Bennett, you don't need to know the rules.
16:29The dawn is the rules.
16:31Hard to argue with that.
16:32The next afternoon, a design team showed up at the mansion.
16:35Five people, most of them, flown in from Paris, hair, makeup, dress, jewelry.
16:40They huddled and debated each detail for 20 minutes at a stretch.
16:44By the time Luca came home, I was starting to feel sick about how much was on me.
16:48He walked in.
16:49Saw me.
16:50His eyes did something.
16:51A brief flash, almost stunned before he caught himself.
16:54Daddy, look how pretty Nora is.
16:57Call her mom.
16:58Leo turned his head and her rump wouldn't say it.
17:00I patted his hair.
17:01It's okay.
17:03I like Nora makes me feel young.
17:05The event was charity gala at the plaza.
17:08Every major name in New York was there.
17:10Old money.
17:11Bigger money.
17:12Political faces.
17:13A few faces I recognized from the papers and a few I knew not to recognize at all.
17:17They orbited Luca immediately.
17:19Conversations started landing on me.
17:21Mr. Castellino.
17:22Who's the beautiful lady?
17:24I jumped in to save him.
17:25I'm a friend of Mr. Castellino's.
17:30My wife Nora.
17:31The room shifted.
17:32A chorus of polite gasps.
17:34Compliments raining down.
17:35My face went hot to my collarbone.
17:37Luca squeezed my hand.
17:38Leaned in.
17:39Nora is being my wife really that embarrassing?
17:42You couldn't say it?
17:43Bourbon and cedar on his breath.
17:45No, I just, I didn't want to embarrass you.
17:48His eyes darkened.
17:49He looked at me like he was lighting something on fire.
17:52Only a weak man is embarrassed by his wife.
17:55I had to look away.
17:56I'll grab a drink.
17:57I bolted.
17:58I'd been hiding by the champagne tower for about 90 seconds when.
18:02There was no date.
18:03Just him had it.
18:04Luca said plus ones required.
18:05Sebastian's face was pure stunned.
18:07It is you.
18:08I almost didn't recognize you.
18:09I've never seen you look like this.
18:11I stepped back.
18:12Stay away from me.
18:13Nina, about my sister's call.
18:15That wasn't me.
18:16I'd never authorize that.
18:17Truth is, I only agreed to the divorce to teach you a lesson.
18:21Bratty wife needed reminding.
18:22I never actually planned to let you go.
18:25Apologize to my mom.
18:26And my sister will remarry.
18:27I'll forget the rest.
18:30Crane Capital is bleeding right now.
18:32I'm slumped.
18:33Stop making things hard for me.
18:34He reached for my hand.
18:35The Sebastian special one slap.
18:37One kiss he'd run me on that loop for three years.
18:39I am not the Nora he married anymore.
18:41I yanked back.
18:42Sebastian divorced means divorced.
18:45I'd rather sleep under the Brooklyn peerage than wear your last name again.
18:49Find someone else for that throne.
18:51Still stubborn.
18:52You haven't suffered enough.
18:53Crawl find me when you've actually been broken.
18:55That is when Luca started walking toward us.
18:57Sebastian's whole posture changed.
19:00Nora, we'll talk later.
19:01There's a heavyweight I need to corner.
19:02Don't get in the way.
19:03Plastered on his best smile and intercepted Luca with a business card already out.
19:08My Don.
19:08I'm Sebastian Crane.
19:10Crane Capital.
19:11I'd like to talk about the mandate you pulled.
19:13Five years.
19:14Crane Capital ran the books on every fund Castellano Holdings put on the street.
19:17Then you cut us out overnight.
19:19If we fell short, tell me where.
19:21Whatever you need.
19:22I'll make it right.
19:23Sebastian half bowed.
19:24Luca's eyes went past him straight to me.
19:26Nora, what do you think?
19:28Should I give him a second chance?
19:30Sebastian's smile froze.
19:31Nora.
19:33What does she have to do with...
19:35Mr. Castellini, you should know.
19:37Nora is my ex-wife.
19:38I don't know how she got in here tonight, probably trying to ambush me into reckoning.
19:41Illusion she's just a housewife.
19:43Pay her no mind.
19:44Luca didn't even glance at him.
19:45Nora.
19:46Your call.
19:47I'll follow your lead.
19:49I kept my voice flat.
19:50Mr. Crane just asked me not to interfere in his business conversation.
19:53I'd hate to interfere.
19:54Sebastian flared.
19:55A man's business is none of your concern.
19:58Of course, small town instincts.
20:01Luca's voice came in cold and final.
20:03Then I'd assume my wife doesn't approve of Crane Capital.
20:06We'll have to pass.
20:07His arms slid around my shoulders.
20:09He turned us toward the bar.
20:10Sebastian was still standing there, brain catching up.
20:13Then a man in a tuxedo brushed past him.
20:16Crane, you insulted Don's wife.
20:18You stepped on a live mine.
20:19That's the only woman who's ever been on his arm in 20 years.
20:22Castellano's wife?
20:24Impossible.
20:24The woman's a nanny in the Castellano house.
20:26Sebastian had seen Nora at the farmer's market driving the cheap car.
20:30Carrying a lobster for the brat, he knew what he saw.
20:32A fancy dress didn't make a duchess.
20:34The man shook his head and walked off.
20:35Some idiots won't listen.
20:36Let them die.
20:37That night, Luca bit on a Picasso study and three pieces of war-era jewelry.
20:42180 million in collectibles donated to the children's hospital under my name.
20:46After that, the gala turned into a receiving line.
20:48Mrs. Castellano, there's a small tea at my place next week.
20:50Would you grace us?
20:51Mrs. Castellano, my husband is bidding on a Castellano project.
20:54Just a quiet word to the Don.
20:55I'd never been on this side of a room.
20:56I drank three glasses to keep my hands steady.
20:59On the fourth, Luca intercepted.
21:00Apologies, everyone.
21:03My wife isn't a drinker.
21:04I'll take hers.
21:06Then he drank for me three more times.
21:08By the time we slid into his Rolls Royce, we were both lit.
21:10I glanced out the window.
21:12Sebastian was on the curb watching us, mouth curled in that ugly little smirk, like I was the punchline.
21:16I closed the curtain, turned to Luca.
21:19Mr. Castellano, thank you for tonight, for what you did with Sebastian.
21:24Nora, we're husband and wife.
21:27Stop thanking me.
21:28His voice came out low, soft around the edges.
21:31We're a paper husband and wife.
21:33You didn't have to.
21:35His arm lifted.
21:36Long fingers tilted my chin up.
21:37His thumb brushed slow against my jaw.
21:39Nora, what if I don't want a paper marriage anymore?
21:43He was too close.
21:44His face was carved out of something dangerous, eyes blown black.
21:48Heat from his breath landed on my throat.
21:50He smelled like bourbon and that cedar cologne and something underneath that was just him.
21:53The most controlled man in New York was looking at my mouth like he wanted it.
21:57Mr. Castellano, you've had too much.
22:04You're right.
22:05I'm sorry.
22:07I had too much.
22:08The rest of the ride was silence.
22:10A heavy humming silence with my pulse loud in my ears.
22:12Leo saved me.
22:13He sprinted at the front door with his picture book.
22:15I scooped him up and ran upstairs before I had to look Luca in the face again.
22:19I tucked Leo in, then opened my laptop and started scrolling job boards.
22:23Sebastian was right about one thing.
22:24My Ivy League degree shouldn't be wasted by eating in a mansion playing house.
22:28I'd done that marriage already.
22:29Stayed home.
22:30Made myself small.
22:30The minute he didn't need me, he tossed me into the street with nothing.
22:33I'd be damned if I let that happen twice.
22:35While Leo needed me, I had a place here.
22:37The day he didn't.
22:38What was I?
22:39Though I am not ready to go back to work yet physically or mentally.
22:42But knowing the market, updating a resume that couldn't hurt.
22:45Then my phone lit up a text from Luca.
22:47The butler did the coffee always.
22:48And the first rule of this house was don't go to the third floor.
22:51I ground a fresh espresso anyway.
22:53Then I stood at the bottom of the staircase, hesitated.
22:55Was this a test?
22:56Did the last applicant get launched out a window after being summoned upstairs?
23:00Was this revenge?
23:01The car I called him?
23:03Mr. Castellano, coffee's here.
23:05Come down for it.
23:05Bring it up.
23:06I hit the record button on my phone.
23:08Caught it if he tried anything sketchy.
23:10I had proof.
23:11I climbed the stairs.
23:14Knocked.
23:17Come in.
23:18I pushed the door open and forgot how to breathe.
23:20He'd just gotten out of the shower.
23:22Black silk robe loosely tied at the waist.
23:24A drop slid from his jaw down his throat into the open robe.
23:27Bathhouse art.
23:28Renaissance painting.
23:29Holy hell.
23:30He took the coffee.
23:31His fingertips dragged across mine on purpose.
23:33That scared of me.
23:34Nora?
23:35Am I a monster, Nora?
23:38From now on, you can come into my room whenever you want.
23:41My face still burned.
23:43The rules of this house and the rules of my heart were both breaking.
23:47I woke up the next morning with a sore throat.
23:49Sneezing, of course.
23:50Wet hair.
23:50Late night fancy dress.
23:52Too much champagne.
23:53I trudged downstairs, fully expecting the sprawling living room to be empty.
23:56Instead, Lupo was sitting on the couch, and he set down the newspaper he'd been holding.
24:00You're sick.
24:01A little the back of his hand landed on my forehead.
24:03Calm practice like he did it every morning.
24:05I went stiff as a board.
24:07Not bad.
24:07I'll grab some therapy.
24:09You'll be fine.
24:11He guided me to the couch like I was made of glass.
24:13Walked to the kitchen.
24:15A six.
24:16Put something Mafia Don, stirring a packet of cold medicine into a mug.
24:19Usually a Don would poison the drink instead.
24:22I caught myself wondering what kind of woman Leo's mother had been to deserve a man like this.
24:26I drank the Theraflu and slunk back to bed.
24:29I didn't want to be in his way, so I just dozed off when an unknown number rang.
24:35Nora, it's me, Sebastian.
24:37Dona, I am parked outside the Castellini gate.
24:40Come out or I'll be at the front door.
24:42Up to you.
24:43Sebastian intercepted me on the sidewalk.
24:45Nora, how long is this stunt going on for Mrs. Kerr working as a nanny?
24:48You don't feel humiliated, but I do.
24:51I'm not doing anything to you, Sebastian.
24:53Stop the act!
24:55You dressed up last night to make me jealous.
24:57Fine, I'll admit it.
24:58After you left, I missed you a little.
25:01Here's the deal.
25:02Apologize to my mom and my sister.
25:04We remarry.
25:05You can stop scrubbing floors for strangers.
25:09Sebastian, I didn't do anything wrong.
25:11What am I apologizing for?
25:14You still don't see the problem.
25:16You haven't been beaten down enough.
25:17I was about to fire back when a small round cannonball blew past me.
25:22Leo, when he saw a strange man hassling me, he did not hesitate.
25:25My mom didn't do anything wrong.
25:27My mom is the best mom in the whole world.
25:30He glared up at him like a furious cherub protecting me.
25:33Something cracked open in my chest.
25:35I pulled him in tight.
25:37Kid, what did you just call her?
25:39Isn't she your nanny?
25:40You're a nanny?
25:41Your whole family is a nanny.
25:44Nora is my mom.
25:45My best mom.
25:46He pulled back, anxious.
25:48I nodded.
25:49My eyes were wet again.
25:51Nora, you'll be my mom, right?
25:52I'll be so good.
25:54I promise.
25:55Leo, I am your mom, sweetheart.
25:58He squeezed me tighter and refused to let go.
26:00Sebastian's face twisted into a slow, ugly smile.
26:03Oh, I see it now.
26:05Nora, you're putting a child up to it.
26:07You're playing the long game on Castatoni.
26:09He grabbed my arm.
26:12Listen, Castorano isn't a man you scam.
26:14He's known for ice in his veins.
26:17He finds out you're using his son to angle for him.
26:19He'll bury you in the East River.
26:21A warm hand landed on my waist.
26:23I hadn't heard him come outside, Luca.
26:25He pulled me into him.
26:27Mr. Crane, the last time we spoke, you insulted my wife.
26:29That's why I pulled the mandate.
26:31I was planning to tell the other firms on the street that this was personal.
26:33They could keep doing business with Crane Capital after today.
26:35I don't think I need a Castellino.
26:37What wife?
26:38Who's your wife?
26:39Mr. Crane, are you really still confused?
26:41Or are you only capable of believing what you want to believe?
26:44Nora's my wife, the mother of my son.
26:47Send him off.
26:47Luca turned to the butler at the door.
26:49If anyone like this bothers Mrs. Castellino again, have my men throw him.
26:53Out he took Leo with one arm wrapped the other.
26:55Around me walked us inside.
26:56The second the door closed, I peeled out of Luca's arm awkward as hell.
27:00I took Leo upstairs to my room.
27:02Leo, where were you all morning?
27:03I didn't see you all day.
27:04Don't even ask.
27:05Dad sent me to preschool.
27:06What you-
27:07Prescore?
27:07He said he didn't want you working too hard.
27:10He said he need alone time with you.
27:11Why does he need alone time with me?
27:13Dad said he had to make you fall in love with him.
27:15Otherwise, you might leave us.
27:17Leo was four sentences into his report when Luca appeared in the doorway.
27:20Leo, downstairs.
27:21Dinner.
27:22Stop bothering your mother.
27:23My whole face hot.
27:24Mom, I'll be back to keep you company in a bit.
27:26He scampered out.
27:27Luca didn't leave.
27:28He walked in.
27:31Feeling better?
27:32I looked sideways.
27:33Mr. Castellino, thank you for what you did.
27:34Please don't ruin a business decision for me.
27:36I'm really not worth it.
27:37Not worth what?
27:38What you did out there.
27:39Nora, I told you you're my wife.
27:41Protecting you is my job.
27:42But stop calling this a paper marriage.
27:44Nora, I want a real one.
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