Mia hid her real identity while falling for a mysterious man online. Then she disappeared before they ever met.
Six months later, she moves into her best friend's estate and finds out who he really is: her friend's adoptive father. Now the secret is getting harder to keep, and the pull between them hasn't gone anywhere.
This is the full episode of My Online Ex Is My Bestie's Dad, a romance drama about hidden identities, loyalty and a connection neither of them can walk away from. Watch until the end.
Would you tell your best friend the truth, or keep the secret like Mia? Tell me in the comments, and follow the channel for the next episode.
#RomanceDrama #ForbiddenLove #SecretIdentity #FullEpisode #OnlineDating #LoveStory
Six months later, she moves into her best friend's estate and finds out who he really is: her friend's adoptive father. Now the secret is getting harder to keep, and the pull between them hasn't gone anywhere.
This is the full episode of My Online Ex Is My Bestie's Dad, a romance drama about hidden identities, loyalty and a connection neither of them can walk away from. Watch until the end.
Would you tell your best friend the truth, or keep the secret like Mia? Tell me in the comments, and follow the channel for the next episode.
#RomanceDrama #ForbiddenLove #SecretIdentity #FullEpisode #OnlineDating #LoveStory
Category
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FunTranscript
00:00I lied about my age and got into an online relationship with a guy 10 years older than me.
00:04In real life, he was the Don of the Vire family.
00:06Cold, distant, and completely restless.
00:09But behind a screen, he was like a totally different person,
00:11calling me baby and wifey with every text.
00:14It was like he couldn't control himself at all,
00:15saying he'd get down on his knees for me anytime I asked.
00:18I just couldn't handle how clingy he got,
00:20so I dumped him and blocked him everywhere.
00:22Over spring break, at my best friend Isabella's estate,
00:25I accidentally ran into her adoptive dad.
00:28Startled by that sudden gunshot,
00:29I ended up ramming straight into a solid, burning-hot chest.
00:32First, I smelled blood and gunpowder.
00:34Then he lifted my chin with his gun.
00:36Dangerous, icy, and ridiculously handsome.
00:39Something about him felt strangely familiar.
00:41My chest was heaving uncontrollably from pure fear.
00:44His gun slid down my chin, stopping right over my heart.
00:47He stared at me for what felt like forever,
00:49then walked away without a word.
00:52Don't get any wild ideas about my dad.
00:55He hates women who throw themselves at him.
00:57Ever since he got dumped by his online girlfriend,
00:59people in the Klan practically walked the long way around
01:01just to steer clear of him.
01:05Isabella, your dad's name isn't Lucien Vieri, is it?
01:11Oh my god, how do you know that?
01:13My last tiny shred of hope vanished into thin air.
01:16I dated my best friend's adoptive father online,
01:18and now I'm literally standing right inside his private estate,
01:21running into him six months later,
01:23lower odds than hitting the lottery.
01:25Oh wait, that makes sense.
01:26You're so close.
01:27I must have casually brought up Lucien's name before.
01:29But I stayed frozen right there,
01:30completely unable to snap out of it,
01:32just realizing I was going to be living
01:34under the exact same roof as Lucien Vieri.
01:36They made my heart pound out of control.
01:38I couldn't help recalling
01:39how the cold steel of his gun barrel
01:41had traced down to my chest just moments ago.
01:44In that dark-fitted shirt,
01:45with the veins showing on his forearms,
01:47he looked terrifyingly handsome and dangerous.
01:50Why did he feel so familiar to me?
01:52But his cold eyes swept right past me,
01:54without a single spark or pause.
01:56It was like he genuinely saw me
01:58as nothing more than a casual friend
02:00his daughter brought home.
02:01No way this cold-hearted guy
02:03is my clingy online boyfriend.
02:05He was the exact opposite on the internet.
02:08Back then,
02:09he never ran out of cheesy,
02:11obsessive things to say.
02:13Not only did he call me baby and wifey
02:15every two seconds,
02:16but his possessiveness
02:18was also totally off the charts.
02:20I was younger then,
02:22and didn't know the first thing
02:23about real relationships.
02:25He used to fluster me so easily
02:27that I'd roll around in bed,
02:29completely wide awake,
02:30until three in the morning.
02:31I bit my lip nervously.
02:33So,
02:34how many girlfriends
02:35has your dad actually had before?
02:37Just one online relationship, actually.
02:40Get out!
02:40He was completely obsessed with her
02:42until she totally dumped him.
02:45Now he's just bitter.
02:47That's why his temper
02:48has been absolutely terrible
02:49for the last six months.
02:51If he acts like a jerk to you,
02:53don't take it personally.
02:54He's an asshole
02:55to everyone these days.
02:59Early the next morning,
03:00Lady Victoria called us
03:01downstairs for breakfast.
03:02Lucian was sitting
03:03right across from me.
03:04I couldn't stop
03:05stealing glances at him.
03:06Suddenly,
03:06Lucian looked up,
03:08locking eyes with me.
03:09He raised an eyebrow,
03:11slightly surprised.
03:12My heart skipped a beat.
03:13Even after looking away,
03:15I felt his gaze lingering.
03:16Just settle in
03:17and make yourself at home.
03:18Don't be shy at all.
03:19Thank you so much,
03:20Lady Victoria.
03:21I forced a polite smile
03:22and told myself to get a grip.
03:24Even if I was living
03:25under the same roof
03:25as Lucian now,
03:26it shouldn't be that easy
03:27for him to connect the dots
03:28and realize I was
03:29the one who dumped him.
03:30The topic at the table
03:32quickly shifted to Lucian.
03:34Listening in for a minute,
03:35I started to pick up
03:36on what was going on.
03:37It sounded like Lady Victoria
03:39had tried to set him up
03:40with a girl recently.
03:41Mother, I've told you
03:42I have zero interest in her.
03:43We've only met twice.
03:44I can't even remember
03:45what her face looks like.
03:47How well am I supposed
03:48to know her?
03:49You turned down
03:49every single girl
03:50I introduced to you.
03:51I have no idea
03:52when that stubborn heart
03:53of yours will ever thaw out.
03:55Lucian, you're almost 40.
03:56You won't date
03:57and you refuse to settle down.
03:59Honestly, sometimes I wonder
04:00if you're even into women at all.
04:02Grandma, my dad's preferences
04:03are 100% fine.
04:05I swear on my life.
04:06He's just had a rocky love life
04:07and the girl he's waiting for
04:09just happens to be
04:10a little rebellious.
04:11Hearing them talk like this,
04:12I wanted to bury my face
04:13straight into my plate
04:14and not make a single peat.
04:16Of course,
04:17whatever you fear most happens.
04:18Mia Carter.
04:19When Lucian's cool voice
04:20echoed across the table,
04:22I flinched hard.
04:22The fork in my hand
04:23almost slipped right out
04:24of my grip.
04:25It was just the most neutral tone.
04:27Yet the way he said my name
04:28sent an uncontrollable shiver
04:29straight down my spine.
04:31Before I could even
04:32collect my thoughts,
04:33his dark brown eyes
04:34were pinned on me
04:34with unhidden suspicion.
04:36You look awfully guilty.
04:38Did you do something
04:39you shouldn't have?
04:43My brain went dead silent
04:45for a second.
04:46My face drained of color
04:47and I had no idea
04:48how to answer.
04:49Thank God Lady Victoria
04:50stepped in to save me.
04:52Lucian, Mia is a guest
04:53in our home.
04:54You need to be much gentler.
04:56Ooh, Dad,
04:57I literally only mentioned
04:58Mia's name once.
04:59How did you actually
05:00remember it?
05:01Amidst all the teasing,
05:02I just kept my head down
05:03and stayed quiet.
05:04I completely missed the fact
05:06that Lucian was narrowing
05:07his eyes at me
05:08from across the table.
05:10Isabella had been
05:10running a fever
05:11for the last couple of days.
05:12After breakfast,
05:14she took her meds
05:14and went to her room
05:15to sleep it off.
05:17After finishing my assignment,
05:18I went downstairs
05:19and caught Lady Victoria leaving.
05:23Lady Victoria,
05:24where are you off to?
05:27It's Lucian again.
05:29He was in such a rush
05:30this morning
05:30he left his gold chip
05:31behind in the study.
05:33He's never been
05:34this sloppy before.
05:35I have no clue
05:36what's going on
05:36with him lately.
05:37My reflexes acted
05:39before my brain
05:39could stop them.
05:40Why don't I go
05:41drop it off for him instead?
05:42You should stay and rest.
05:44Oh no,
05:45I couldn't possibly
05:46trouble you with that.
05:47It's really no problem.
05:48I don't have things
05:49to do right now.
05:50Lady Victoria was sweet enough
05:51to let me stay
05:52at their gorgeous estate,
05:53so helping out
05:54with small favors
05:55was the least I could do.
05:57Seeing how persistent
05:58I was,
05:59Lady Victoria finally gave in
06:00and texted me the address
06:01for Ogilia Casino.
06:04Once I got into the cab,
06:06I couldn't resist
06:06pulling out my phone
06:07to search up Lucien Vieri,
06:09the youngest patriarch
06:10in Vieri history.
06:11Ruthless,
06:12decisive,
06:13and unforgiving.
06:14It was honestly
06:15mind-boggling
06:16that a guy like him
06:16would ever do online dating.
06:18Back then,
06:19I was a freshman in college,
06:20and my parents
06:21had just finalized
06:21their nasty divorce.
06:23Real life was depressing,
06:24so I used the internet
06:25to escape the weight
06:26of it all.
06:27That's how Lucien
06:28and I met.
06:29I figured online dating
06:30was harmless fun.
06:31That temporary rush
06:33of dopamine
06:33at least distracted me
06:34from my real-world mess.
06:35To be safe,
06:37I lied about my age
06:37and claimed I'd just
06:38graduated college.
06:40I didn't even give him
06:41my real name.
06:42Unlike others
06:42who dating online,
06:43I never sent selfies.
06:45And every time
06:46Lucien tried to video call,
06:47I instantly hit decline.
06:49All I agreed to
06:50was a strict 30-minute
06:51voice call every night.
06:52By contrast,
06:53Lucien spoiled me
06:54to an absolute extreme,
06:56constantly transferring
06:57crazy amounts of cash
06:58to my account.
06:59Treat yourself
07:00to something nice.
07:01You haven't eaten yet.
07:02Order whatever you want.
07:03Staring at those
07:04insane numbers,
07:05I always quietly
07:06declined the transfers.
07:08All I wanted
07:09during those tough tames
07:10was a little comfort.
07:11If I never intended
07:12on a real future with him,
07:13why would I take his money?
07:15Eventually,
07:16Lucien got way too attached.
07:18One day,
07:18he suddenly demanded
07:19that we meet up in person.
07:21My finals were literally
07:22two weeks away.
07:23Meeting up?
07:24Wasn't he being
07:25completely absurd?
07:26After overthinking it
07:27for hours,
07:28I finally texted back,
07:29There's no point
07:30in meeting.
07:31I'm bored of this.
07:32Let's break up.
07:33The moment it sent,
07:34I wiped the account
07:35and deleted every single way
07:37he had to reach me.
07:39I genuinely believed
07:40that after all this time,
07:41Lucien would have moved on.
07:43But hearing Isabella
07:44talk about him,
07:45does he actually still
07:46care about what happened?
07:49It was my first time ever
07:50at Aurelia Casino.
07:52Clearly,
07:53he owned this entire casino.
07:55Must feel great
07:56being rich.
07:57The attendant led me
07:58to the top floor.
07:59The elevator dinged open.
08:01The second my eyes
08:02locked with Lucien's,
08:03I froze,
08:03backlit against the window.
08:05His chiseled features
08:06radiated an edge so sharp
08:07it was almost dangerous.
08:08So this is what
08:09he's like at work.
08:10My chest tightened up
08:11instantly.
08:12Following behind him,
08:13not a single one of his men
08:15looked at him
08:15with anything less
08:16than sheer awe
08:17and respect.
08:18He looked like
08:19a born godfather.
08:21The hallway went quiet
08:22for a brief second.
08:23Some were eyeing me
08:24with blatant curiosity.
08:26Don Vire,
08:27who might this be?
08:28They stared me
08:29without hiding it.
08:30Lucien's eyes landed on me
08:31and paused for a microsecond.
08:33Then, seamlessly,
08:34he stepped right in front of me,
08:36blocking their view.
08:37A friend.
08:38Not his daughter's classmate,
08:40but a friend.
08:41Don Vire,
08:42this young lady says
08:43she's here to deliver
08:44your gold chip.
08:45Got it.
08:46Take her up to my office first.
08:48He pressed the elevator button.
08:50Looked like he had
08:51other business to attend to.
08:53I thought about it
08:54for a second
08:54and handed the black velvet box
08:56over to the attendant.
08:58Now that the gold chip
08:58is delivered,
08:59I'll be taking my leave.
09:01Wouldn't want to be in the way.
09:07Did I say you could leave?
09:12My footsteps came
09:13to a sudden halt.
09:15He was so close
09:16I could catch that faint,
09:17distinct scent
09:18clinging to him.
09:19For a second,
09:20my mind went blank
09:21and I forgot how to react.
09:22It felt like a tiny electric spark
09:24shot through the skin
09:25where his fingers held me.
09:27The next moment,
09:28he let out a quiet sigh.
09:30Go on up.
09:31I still have things
09:32to say to you.
09:33I had no clue
09:35what Lucien
09:35could possibly want
09:36to talk about with me.
09:38As far as he knew,
09:39our only connection
09:40was Isabella.
09:41Lucien's bizarre behavior
09:42was giving me
09:43massive anxiety.
09:44By the time his assistant
09:45came in to swap out
09:45my coffee for the third time,
09:47I could barely stay seated.
09:48Just then,
09:49when his eyes landed
09:50on me sitting on the couch,
09:51the icy tension
09:52in his brows
09:52softened just a bit.
09:53He walked straight towards me.
09:55I scrambled to my feet,
09:56feeling awkward.
09:57Don Vento.
09:58For some reason,
09:59the light in Lucien's eyes
10:00dimmed for a fraction
10:01of a second,
10:01but it vanished
10:02just as quickly.
10:03Sit.
10:04You're not one of my men.
10:05You don't need to call me that.
10:06His office was massive.
10:07Beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass,
10:09the nightlights of Vitegra Harbor
10:10stretched into the horizon.
10:12Yet being trapped alone
10:13in a room with him
10:14still made me deeply uncomfortable.
10:16Unable to hold it in,
10:17I probed carefully.
10:18So,
10:19why did you ask me
10:20to stay behind?
10:21Do you have your phone on you?
10:23Instead of answering,
10:24Lucien countered
10:24with his own question,
10:25his tone laced
10:26with a quiet,
10:27undeniable authority.
10:28I blinked,
10:29startled.
10:30Then I gave a slow nod.
10:31Before long,
10:32I heard him speak again.
10:34Add me.
10:34I'll reimburse your cab fare.
10:38Huh?
10:39I honestly thought my ears
10:41were playing tricks on me.
10:45Lucien was a powerhouse
10:46who commanded
10:46the entire Vieti family.
10:48Why would a guy like he
10:49waste two seconds
10:51dealing with a tiny
10:51travel reimbursement?
10:54No, it's fine.
10:55You really don't need
10:56to reimburse me
10:57for a quick cab ride.
10:58Besides,
10:59I've been staying
10:59at your estate
11:00for free anyway.
11:03Those are two
11:04completely different things.
11:06I don't like being
11:07indebted to anyone.
11:08I was about to push back again.
11:10But just as the words formed,
11:12a sharp realization hit me.
11:14Could Lucan be insisting
11:15on this because
11:15he suspected something?
11:17I was literally
11:18just his daughter's
11:19college friend.
11:19He had zero legitimate
11:20reasons to demand
11:21my personal contact info,
11:23which left only one
11:24perify explanation.
11:25He was already onto me.
11:27The thought sent a wave
11:29of raw panic through me
11:30that I had to fight
11:30to suppress.
11:32Lucien was frighteningly sharp.
11:33There wasn't a single
11:34shred of actual proof.
11:36How on earth
11:36could he suspect me?
11:38As I pulled up
11:38my QR code,
11:39I quietly caught
11:40the subtle tremble
11:41in his fingers.
11:42It was as if he was
11:43desperately hoping
11:44for something.
11:44But almost instantly,
11:46Lucan's lips froze
11:47in a tight line.
11:48He stared at his phone screen
11:49for a long,
11:50heavy silence.
11:51He even scrolled
11:51through my social media feed,
11:53unwilling to let it go.
11:54After a long time,
11:55he seemed to deflate
11:56completely,
11:57his breathing
11:57growing weak and heavy.
12:01I dropped my gaze,
12:02letting out a quiet
12:03breath of relief.
12:04The only reason
12:05I had been able
12:06to offer my phone
12:06so calmly
12:07was because I'd
12:08permanently abandoned
12:09the old account
12:10right after I ended
12:11the online relationship.
12:12My current online profile
12:14looked nothing like
12:14the one I used back then.
12:16Naturally,
12:16Lucien had no way
12:17to verify anything.
12:19Still,
12:20seeing that he was still
12:21using our old
12:22matching profile picture
12:23made my feelings
12:24a confused mess.
12:26We'd been broken up
12:27for over half a year.
12:29Had he really
12:29never changed it?
12:31Lucien slowly raised
12:32his head,
12:32his tone impossible
12:34to read.
12:36Is there really
12:36nothing you want
12:37to say to me?
12:38I forced a quick smile
12:40and stood up,
12:41trying to act
12:41completely unbothered.
12:42No,
12:43not really.
12:45It's getting late.
12:46I should probably
12:46head back to the estate.
12:48If I stayed
12:48one more minute,
12:49I was terrified
12:50I'd slip up.
12:51Wait.
12:52Lucien's voice
12:52sliced through the air
12:53behind me.
12:54A cold wave of dread
12:55traveled straight
12:56down my spine.
12:59The next second,
13:00he seemed to rub
13:01the bridge of his nose,
13:01his voice thick
13:02with a tired rash.
13:06I'll have someone
13:07drive you back.
13:07The travel specs
13:08Lucien reimbursed me for
13:09could easily cover
13:10a month's worth
13:10of taxi rides.
13:11I thought it over
13:12for a second
13:12and decided to accept
13:13it after all.
13:13Going back and forth
13:14over it would only
13:15make me look dramatic
13:15and fake.
13:16Besides,
13:16it wasn't like a guy
13:17like Lucien
13:17was hurting for cash
13:18anyway.
13:19Still,
13:19for some strange reason,
13:20I always felt intensely
13:21nervous whenever I was
13:22around him.
13:23When I walked out
13:24of his top floor office,
13:25it felt like every
13:26single pair of eyes
13:27was glued to me.
13:28I even overheard
13:29people whispering
13:30in hushed tones,
13:31speculating about
13:32what kind of relationship
13:33I actually had
13:34with the Don of the
13:34Vieti family.
13:35That snapped me
13:36right back to reality.
13:37He was Don Vinte,
13:38after all.
13:39His whole life,
13:40he was used to being
13:41feared,
13:42respected,
13:42and followed
13:43by everyone around him.
13:47A man like that
13:48would never tolerate
13:49being played for a fool.
13:51And since I couldn't
13:52handle the fallout
13:53if he ever found out,
13:55Chewer dating
13:55the wandlet and design,
13:57my only choice
13:58was to keep him
13:58in the dark forever.
14:03By the time I snapped
14:04out of my thoughts,
14:05the car had already
14:06pulled into the Vire estate.
14:10Lucien didn't come back
14:11for two whole days.
14:13According to Lady Victoria,
14:15he owned several other
14:15properties around the city.
14:17It was completely normal
14:18for him not to sleep
14:19at the estate.
14:20Not having to face him
14:22around the house
14:22let me breathe
14:23a huge sigh of relief.
14:25Isabella had recovered
14:26over the past couple of days.
14:27With her bursts of energy back,
14:29there was zero chance
14:30she could stay cooped up at home.
14:31Mia, it's Julian's birthday today.
14:33Everyone agreed
14:34to get together tonight.
14:35Why don't we go together?
14:36Julian was a college classmate
14:38we had in common.
14:39We hung out pretty closely.
14:41I figured going out
14:42to clear my head
14:42might do me some good.
14:44By the time we left,
14:45night was just falling.
14:47The dinner was at
14:48a newly opened restaurant
14:49downtown.
14:51Julian and his crew
14:52were already waiting outside,
14:53chatting and laughing.
14:55The moment his eyes
14:56caught mine,
14:57his gaze visibly lit up.
14:59Mia, didn't we agree
15:00you didn't need
15:01to bring a gift?
15:02No way.
15:03The gift you got me
15:03for my birthday
15:04wasn't cheap at all.
15:05I'd feel way too guilty
15:06if I didn't return the favor.
15:08As I spoke,
15:08I handed over the watch
15:10I'd carefully picked out for him.
15:12Julian accepted it awkwardly,
15:13his face freezing up
15:14for a brief second.
15:16You really are something,
15:17always keeping such
15:18strict score with me.
15:21The next second,
15:22Isabella suddenly threw her arm
15:24over my shoulder.
15:24Julian,
15:25so do you like the gift
15:26I got you better
15:27or the one Mia gave you?
15:29The moment she said it,
15:31a wave of teasing chuckles
15:32broke out around us.
15:33Julian couldn't help
15:34stealing several glances at me.
15:35I get it,
15:36I get it.
15:37Our Mia is obviously
15:38checking every single box
15:39for you.
15:40The corner of my mouth twitched
15:42and I couldn't stop myself
15:43from nudging her
15:44with my elbow.
15:45You know perfectly well
15:46I don't feel that way
15:47about Julian.
15:48If you keep hyping things
15:49up out of nowhere,
15:50what if he actually
15:50gets the wrong idea?
15:51Seeing how I intentionally
15:52lowered my voice,
15:54looking like a total
15:54guilty thief,
15:55Isabella couldn't help
15:56bursting out lather.
15:58Seriously though,
15:59Julian's good looking
15:59and he's super loyal.
16:01Why on earth
16:01don't you like him?
16:03That question caught me
16:04completely off guard.
16:05For some bizarre reason,
16:07Lucien's figure
16:07suddenly popped into my hand.
16:09Freaked out by the thought,
16:10I shook my head violently.
16:13When it comes to feelings,
16:14since when is there a reason?
16:15If there's no spark,
16:16there's no spark.
16:17You can't force it.
16:18Okay, alright.
16:19I won't tease you two
16:20about it ever again.
16:23Inside the fencing hall,
16:24Lucien,
16:25dressed in a white fencing suit,
16:26was sparring with Nico.
16:27Way more chilling
16:28than the air conditioning
16:29in the facility
16:29was the man's
16:30ruthless offensive pace.
16:31He pressed forward
16:32relentlessly with every step,
16:33every thrust aiming straight
16:34for a lethal spot.
16:35Nico was forced back
16:35step after step,
16:36looking like he wanted
16:36to beg for mercy
16:37several times.
16:38But Lucien didn't show
16:38a single shred of hesitation
16:39or soft-heartedness.
16:40Again.
16:41He spoke coldly,
16:42his voice sounding like
16:43it was laced with pure ice.
16:44Not far away,
16:45Matteo and Adrian
16:46watched the totally
16:47one-sided match,
16:48shaking their heads
16:49almost in wingsin.
16:50Their faces were filled
16:51with pure sympathy.
16:52What's up with Don Vini today?
16:53He looks totally off.
16:54Put it this way,
16:55the last time he went
16:56this feral was when
16:57that online dating girl
16:58dumped his ass.
16:59As soon as the words
17:00left his mouth,
17:01the two exchanged
17:01a quick glance.
17:03Matteo suddenly let out
17:04a smirk,
17:04his tone laced
17:05with amusement.
17:07Fascinating.
17:07So this really is
17:08about his love life?
17:09Didn't they say
17:10he spent over half a year
17:11hunting for that girl
17:12and couldn't find
17:12a single trace?
17:13He was so crazy
17:14about her back then
17:15and now he's moved
17:16on to someone else?
17:17Hearing that,
17:18Adrian shook his head
17:19with a mysterious grin,
17:20a knowing half-smile
17:21tugged at the corner
17:22of his lip.
17:23Have you ever considered
17:24one possibility?
17:25What if the person
17:26who broke Don Vene's
17:27composure twice
17:27is the exact same girl?
17:29A phone buzzed
17:30several times in a row.
17:32Breathing lightly,
17:33Lucian pulled off
17:33his fencing mask
17:34and headed straight
17:35towards the lounge area.
17:36When he tapped
17:37the screen open,
17:38he instinctively falls
17:39for a second.
17:39The message was
17:40from one of his men
17:41in charge of managing
17:42a club under his name.
17:43Staring at the girl
17:44in the photo,
17:45Lucian fell dead silent
17:46for a long moment.
17:47The next second,
17:48he spoke in a low rash.
17:50Put that tables tab
17:51under my name,
17:51I'm heading over right now.
17:55Dinner lasted
17:55nearly two hours.
17:56After we finished eating,
17:58everyone suggested
17:58hitting a bar
17:59for round two.
18:00I was practically
18:00dragged along
18:01by the group.
18:02Julian and the guys
18:03had booked
18:03a spacious,
18:04semi-private booth.
18:05It was pretty much
18:06my first time
18:07at this spot.
18:08The music wasn't
18:09overly blasting
18:10and the crowd
18:10looked high-class
18:11and well-dressed.
18:12I found myself
18:13relaxing just a little bit.
18:15Halfway through our drinks,
18:16someone brought up
18:17playing a drinking game.
18:18A few rounds in,
18:19my card got pulled.
18:20I paused for a second
18:22before opting for truth.
18:23Julian was the one
18:24asking the question this time.
18:25He'd looked completely bored
18:26during the earlier turns,
18:28but now,
18:28he took his sweet time
18:29thinking it over.
18:30When was the last time
18:31a guy actually made
18:32your heart skip a beat?
18:33I froze.
18:34I couldn't help thinking,
18:35that was ages ago,
18:36wasn't it?
18:37If I had to pinpoint it,
18:38it'd be six months ago.
18:39One night back then,
18:40I was on my usual
18:41phone call with Lucille.
18:42He took a few extra seconds
18:42to pick up
18:43and I threw a mini tantrum.
18:44I sylphed
18:45and deliberately gave him
18:45the silent treatment.
18:46Yet Lucian didn't get annoyed
18:47even once.
18:48He just kept gently coaxing me
18:49over and over.
18:50Suddenly,
18:51I heard someone whistle
18:52through the receiver.
18:53Don Viente,
18:53why are you over there
18:54begging for forgiveness again?
18:55She's just some girl
18:56you met on the internet.
18:57Are you seriously acting
18:57like her little puppy?
18:58Fuck off.
18:59If I want to be a puppy
19:00for my girlfriend,
19:01that's my damn business.
19:02What's it to you?
19:02My heart had hammered
19:03in my chest when I heard that.
19:05A surge of warmth
19:05had flooded through me.
19:06I wasn't sure if it was
19:07because he protected me
19:08so fiercely or just the way
19:09he said my girlfriend.
19:11When I returned to the present,
19:12I caught the dimming spark
19:13in Julian's eyes.
19:14He looked like he wanted
19:15to ask more.
19:16His lips parted,
19:17but he swallowed the words
19:18in the end.
19:20After a few more rounds,
19:21the energy at the table
19:23grew even wilder.
19:24Julian chose dare this time.
19:26Someone started chanting
19:27for him to pick me up
19:28and do 10 squats.
19:29I felt intensely awkward.
19:31No way!
19:32Stop pushing it, guys!
19:33Seeing my face,
19:34Isabella sprang up
19:34instantly to shield me.
19:36But the crowd wasn't
19:37about to drop it that easily.
19:38If she can't do the dare,
19:39she's got to drink, right?
19:40Hearing that,
19:41Isabella couldn't help
19:42rolling her eyes hard.
19:43Are you serious?
19:44Don't you guys know Mia
19:44is severely allergic to alcohol?
19:46Pick another one.
19:46Hurry up!
19:47The air froze for a second.
19:49The vibe turned incredibly weird.
19:50I assumed everyone was just annoyed
19:52that I was ruining the fun.
19:53But the very next second,
19:54an icy, deep voice echoed
19:56from right behind me.
19:57I'll drink for her.
19:58I gasped.
19:59Before I could even process the sound,
20:00I saw Isabella shoot out of her seat
20:02in pure shock.
20:02Dad?
20:03What are you doing here?
20:06Lucian showing up out of nowhere
20:08threw me completely off balance.
20:10I could only stare wide-eyed
20:11at the man standing over us.
20:13In the dim bar lighting,
20:14the chiseled lines of his co-file
20:16were unfairly gorgeous.
20:17By the time I registrated
20:18what was happening,
20:19he had already slid comfortably
20:21into the seat right beside me.
20:22His long, elegant hand
20:24reached across the table,
20:25effortlessly grabbing the bottle.
20:27So, how many shots
20:28was she supposed to take?
20:31Eight shots.
20:34Lucian didn't even give her a glance.
20:37His atom's ubble bobbed
20:38as he tipped the glass back
20:40and downed it.
20:42He didn't stop
20:43until all eight glasses
20:45were completely empty.
20:47Then, without warning,
20:49he grabbed my wrist
20:49and pulled me up.
20:50Excuse us.
20:51I'm borrowing her for a moment.
20:53Enjoy your night.
20:57Even after being ushered
20:59into Lucian's luxury sedan,
21:00my mind was still spinning.
21:01Instinctively,
21:02I tried to stand her out
21:03and excuse.
21:03Mr. Viente,
21:04my friends are still back there.
21:06The man suddenly let out
21:07a freeled scuff.
21:08It seemed my overly distant title
21:09for him had severely pissed him off.
21:11Mia Carter.
21:12I used to have a girlfriend
21:13who was also deathly allergic
21:14to alcohol.
21:14Do you think that's
21:15just a coincidence?
21:16My brain went totally blank.
21:17Staring at his insanely handsome face
21:19hovering inches from me,
21:20I was completely struck dumb.
21:21I didn't even have the gut
21:22to look him in the eye.
21:24Clutching at the absolute
21:25last straw of hope,
21:27I still desperately tried
21:28to cover it up.
21:29Actually, tons of people
21:30have alcohol allergies.
21:31At my university alone,
21:32there are...
21:33Before I could finish
21:33my weak lie,
21:35Lucian lunged forward,
21:36pinning me completely
21:36against the seat.
21:38The space around me
21:39shrank to almost nothing.
21:40Lucian's heavy breath
21:41tangled with mine
21:42in the tight space.
21:43My cheeks burn
21:44with a sudden overwhelming heat.
21:46In that dangerous pose,
21:47he scrutinized every inch
21:48of my face
21:49for what felt like an eternity.
21:52After a brutal silence,
21:53he let out a bitter,
21:54grinding laugh.
21:55Leah Vale.
21:57Nineteen years old.
21:58In college.
21:59Lucian pronounced
22:00every single word
22:01with chilling precision.
22:02He watched my face
22:03like a hawk
22:03as he spoke.
22:04Every syllable
22:05hit my chest
22:06like a ton of bongs.
22:09Even after you dumped me,
22:10I believed every word
22:11you told me back then
22:12without a single doubt.
22:13No wonder!
22:14No wonder I had my men
22:15tear the country apart
22:16looking for you
22:17and we found nothing!
22:18Who would have guessed
22:19that the woman I thought
22:20was my girlfriend
22:20was actually just
22:21a college freshman?
22:22Not a single thing
22:23you gave me was real.
22:24Was it fun?
22:25Playing me like a total fool?
22:27Lucian poured it all out
22:28in one heated rush.
22:29Overcome with emotion,
22:30he was breathing heavily,
22:31his broad shoulders heaving.
22:32His expression was darker
22:33and more terrifying
22:34than I had ever seen.
22:35I closed my eyes
22:36and surrender.
22:37So the nightmare
22:37had finally caught up
22:38to me after all?
22:39At this point,
22:40any defense was useless.
22:41I took a shaky breath,
22:42my fingers curling tightly
22:43into my palms
22:44with embarrassment.
22:45How did you realize
22:46I was Leaf?
22:49What do you think?
22:51Lucian barked a cold laugh
22:52beyond furious.
22:52In his dark brown eyes,
22:54I caught a quiet,
22:54painful edge of accusation.
22:55We were together
22:56for that long.
22:57I might not have known
22:57your face,
22:58but do you really think
22:58I wouldn't recognize
22:59your voice?
22:59I was suspicious
23:00from the very first day
23:01you stepped into my estate.
23:02Even though everything
23:02on paper contradicted it,
23:03I trusted my gut.
23:04Before I could process
23:05that,
23:05his fingers clamped
23:06around my chin,
23:06forcing me to meet his eyes.
23:07I wasn't sure
23:08if I was imagining things,
23:09but amidst his anger,
23:10I saw desperate helpness
23:11and profound hurt,
23:11and was that pouting pain?
23:13Mia,
23:14you truly underestimated
23:15how much I loved you.
23:18Love?
23:19The sheer weight
23:20of that word
23:21coming from his mouth
23:21left me completely speechless.
23:24I stood there,
23:25my mind a blank slate.
23:27A thousand sentences
23:27rushed to my lips.
23:29In the end,
23:29all I could whisper was,
23:30I'm so sorry.
23:32Back then,
23:33I didn't think things through.
23:34I was just drowning.
23:35I needed someone to talk to,
23:37and you happened to be there.
23:38Whether you believe it or not,
23:39I never set out
23:40to deceive you on purpose.
23:41I just didn't want to
23:42dump my real life
23:43onto a stranger
23:44on the internet.
23:44If that broke your heart,
23:46I am so,
23:47so sorry.
23:48The air between us
23:49froze into silence.
23:50I peeked open my eyes
23:51just a crack.
23:52For a tiny fraction
23:53of a second,
23:53I caught a dark,
23:54dangerous storm
23:55brewing deep in his eyes.
23:56Do you honestly think
23:57an apology is what
23:57I want from you?
23:58I bit my lip,
23:59completely lost.
24:00A moment later,
24:00his voice cut through the quiet.
24:02I'm only going to ask you
24:03one thing.
24:04After you threw me away,
24:06did you ever regret it?
24:09His rapid,
24:10burning breath
24:10washed over my cheeks.
24:12I swallowed hard.
24:13I couldn't fathom
24:14why he was suddenly
24:14asking me that.
24:15Seeing my hesitation,
24:17a flicker of fear
24:18crossed his face
24:18as if he was terrified
24:20of what I might say.
24:21Of course,
24:22you don't have to
24:22answer me right now.
24:23You can take your time
24:24to think about it.
24:25If there was even
24:26a single second
24:27where you regretted leaving,
24:28I could fool myself into...
24:30I caught the tiny,
24:31fragile tremble
24:32in his voice.
24:33A crushing wave of guilt
24:34crashed over my heart.
24:36I had already lied
24:37to him once.
24:37Was I really going
24:38to do it again?
24:39I couldn't do it.
24:40Lucian, I...
24:41Enough.
24:42If it's something
24:42that's going to break me,
24:43I'm begging you,
24:44don't say it, okay?
24:47A sharp sting
24:48hit the back of my nose.
24:49I could physically feel
24:50all his panic,
24:51his helplessness,
24:52his absolute vulnerability.
24:54Those words hung in the air
24:55like heavy smoke.
24:57My eyes turned red
24:58after a long moment,
24:59yet I forced
24:59the harsh truth out anyway.
25:01Back then,
25:01I really was just
25:03playing around,
25:03and I genuinely assumed
25:05you felt the exact same way.
25:07So after I deleted you,
25:08I never regretted it,
25:09because I...
25:10I didn't really think
25:11about you all that much.
25:12The moment the words
25:13left my mouth,
25:14the car fell into
25:15a terrifyingly dead silence.
25:17Lucian let out
25:17a hollow laugh,
25:19looking utterly devastated
25:20and alone.
25:21He sat motionless
25:22for what felt
25:22like an eternity.
25:23To me,
25:24those few seconds
25:25felt like a century
25:26of torture.
25:27When he finally spoke,
25:28his voice was horribly strained.
25:30What about now?
25:33I froze,
25:34staring at him.
25:35What do you mean now?
25:36Right now.
25:38Are you willing
25:38to start over with me?
25:42Lucian looked me
25:43dead in the eye,
25:44pronouncing every single word.
25:45His dark brown eyes
25:47were ablaze
25:47with pure,
25:48unyielding obsession.
25:49When you broke up with me,
25:51you said you got bored.
25:53I've gotten more interesting now.
25:55Anything you don't like
25:56about me,
25:56I will change.
25:58Mia,
25:58as long as you come back to me,
25:59I'll wipe the slate
26:00completely clean.
26:02Before he could finish
26:03his desperate plea,
26:04I cut him off involuntarily.
26:06Lucian,
26:06have you lost your mind?
26:07You know damn well
26:09that I...
26:09I know.
26:12I froze.
26:14His gaze was terrifyingly resolute.
26:17I am gambling.
26:19I'm betting everything
26:20that one day
26:22he will actually
26:23fall in love with me.
26:26My mind exploded
26:27into white noise.
26:28I couldn't process
26:29a single thought.
26:30All I could hear
26:31was my heart
26:32hammering violently
26:32against my ribs,
26:34refusing to slow down.
26:37Lucian had a driver
26:38take Isabella
26:39and me back that night.
26:41As we pulled away,
26:42I caught him
26:43cornering Julian
26:43by the curb.
26:44I had no idea
26:45what they were saying.
26:47My head was throbbing.
26:49Too much had happened today.
26:50My brain was completely fried
26:52and I didn't have the energy
26:53to care about anything else.
26:54The entire ride back,
26:56Isabella kept grilling me
26:57about why her dad
26:57and I had disappeared together.
26:59The whole thing
27:00with your dad,
27:00it's a long story.
27:01Then hit the highlights.
27:02You really gonna keep
27:02secrets from me?
27:03At this point,
27:03there was no point
27:04in hiding it anymore.
27:05Remember that girl
27:06your dad was dating online?
27:10That was me.
27:12Shut up.
27:12No freaking way.
27:14So the girl
27:15who had my cold,
27:16untouchable dad
27:16wrapped around her little finger
27:17was actually...
27:19Holy shit,
27:19mad respite girl.
27:20I literally cannot wait
27:21to laugh in his face.
27:21Let's see if he ever
27:22dares to boss me around again.
27:23She was having the time
27:24of her life,
27:25but my heart was heavy.
27:26I couldn't relax at all.
27:28Back on campus,
27:29I didn't reach out to Lucien.
27:30I never gave him
27:31an answer that night.
27:32He didn't push either.
27:33He was just giving me space.
27:37On Friday night,
27:38my university club
27:39had a group dinner.
27:40Julian was as attentive
27:41as ever,
27:42but I felt suffocated.
27:43I just needed some air.
27:45The second I stood up,
27:46the room started spinning.
27:47A sudden,
27:48violent heat swept through me.
27:49I knew right away
27:50something was wrong.
27:51I'd only had one sip.
27:53My drink was spiked.
27:54What's wrong, Mia?
27:55Had too much?
27:56Let me take you outside
27:57for some air.
27:59You don't have to.
28:00I can...
28:01How could I leave you like this?
28:02You can barely stand.
28:03There's a hotel right next door.
28:04Let me get you a room
28:05so you can lie down, okay?
28:06I played it off so casually,
28:07but alarm bells were screaming
28:08in my head.
28:08I tried to pull away,
28:09but my legs completely gave out.
28:11When he pulled me in,
28:12I didn't even have the strength
28:13to push him off.
28:14Mia!
28:15Was he calling my name?
28:16I fought to open my eye,
28:18but everything was a blur.
28:19The next second,
28:20I was yanked away
28:20into a familiar protective embrace,
28:22surrounded by the scent
28:23I knew so well.
28:24And just like that,
28:25all the panic vanished.
28:27In the backseat of the car,
28:29I was burning up,
28:29completely losing my mind
28:31to the drug.
28:31The drug hit me
28:32with brutal force.
28:33It felt like fire
28:34coursing through my veins.
28:36I was burning up,
28:37gasping for air,
28:37completely losing my grip
28:38on reality.
28:39Mia, don't be scared.
28:40I've got you.
28:40I'm right here.
28:41But I couldn't process
28:42a single word.
28:43The closer I pressed against him,
28:45the more of his scent
28:46I took in.
28:47That cool, familiar scent
28:48was the only thing
28:49keeping the fever at bay.
28:53Don't.
28:54Mia, you don't know
28:55what you're doing right now.
28:56By the time the car
28:56pulled up to the estate,
28:58the agony was still
28:59tearing me apart.
29:00Lucian turned his face
29:00away from my touch,
29:01pulled out his phone,
29:02and spoke in a tone
29:03that could freeze blood.
29:04Yes, right now.
29:05Have the doctor at the estate
29:06in five minutes.
29:07After hanging up,
29:08he carried me straight up
29:09to a second floor guest suite
29:10in the main manor.
29:11I thought he was finally
29:13going to stay with me.
29:15But the next second,
29:16he lowered me into a bathtub,
29:17overflowing with ice-cold water.
29:20Lucian immediately
29:21wrapped a heavy towel
29:22around my shoulders,
29:23placing a cold,
29:24damp cloth on my forehead.
29:27Hang in there, sweetheart.
29:28Just a little longer.
29:29The doctor is on his way.
29:31Physical agony was unbearable,
29:32but the ache in my chest
29:33was worse.
29:34He was right there
29:35in front of me,
29:36yet he still wouldn't
29:36let me close.
29:38Lucian?
29:40I'm here.
29:42Do you...
29:43do you not want me?
29:44The moment those words
29:45left my mouth,
29:46Lucian froze.
29:49After a long pause,
29:50he reached up
29:50to wipe the tears
29:51from the corner of my eye,
29:52his voice dropping
29:53almost to a plea.
29:54It's not that I don't want you.
29:55It's because I don't know
29:56what that drug will do to you.
29:58Mia, I can't take chances
29:59with your body.
30:00The drug and the exhaustion
30:01hit me at once
30:01and everything went black.
30:02Before I lost consciousness,
30:04all I heard was
30:04Lucian's fractic voice
30:05calling my name.
30:06Mia?
30:06Mia, don't sleep.
30:09This was hands down
30:11the most agonizing night
30:12of Lucian's entire life.
30:14After hours of frantic chaos,
30:16he finally let out
30:18a long, shaky breath
30:19when the girl on the bed
30:20settled into a peaceful sleep.
30:23When the doctor had rushed
30:24into the estate,
30:25Lucian looked like
30:26an absolute wreck.
30:30After treatment,
30:31my vitals stabilized.
30:33Now I was completely out.
30:35Thankfully,
30:36the concentration of the drug
30:37in Miss Mia's system
30:37was relatively low.
30:38Once she sleeps it off,
30:39she'll be back to normal.
30:40Hearing the doctor's confirmation,
30:43Lucian finally let
30:44his tent shoulders drop.
30:45After seeing the doctor out,
30:47he returned to the room,
30:48staring silently
30:49at my sleeping face.
30:50A cold terror
30:51still gripped his heart.
30:52He'd simply missed me
30:53too damn much today.
30:55The second his men
30:55reported I was at a club dinner,
30:57he'd driven straight over
30:58without thinking twice.
31:00He never imagined
31:01he would walk right
31:02into a scene like that.
31:04Every time he remembered
31:05Julian touching me,
31:06pure, murderous rage
31:08flared in his eyes.
31:11Before bringing me back,
31:12he'd gotten into a fight
31:13with Julian.
31:14No, more accurately,
31:16Lucian had beaten him
31:17one-sidedly,
31:18wiping the blood
31:19from his split lip.
31:20It was my fault.
31:21My friend gave me that stuff.
31:22He said that after tonight,
31:24Mia would be completely
31:24devoted to me.
31:25I lost my mind for a second
31:26and spiked her drink.
31:27Julian had confessed.
31:28Before he could finish,
31:30another fist cracked
31:31against his jaw.
31:34Then Lucian picked me up
31:35and carried me into the car.
31:36The bedroom was silent
31:37as a tomb,
31:39Lucian hands trembling
31:40as he tried to calm his nerves.
31:41He didn't even dare
31:42process the thought.
31:43What would have happened
31:44if he'd arrived
31:44two minutes later?
31:45He couldn't let me
31:46out of his sight ever again.
31:48By hook or by crook,
31:50he was keeping me
31:51locked by his side.
31:54The night he'd pulled me
31:56out of the bar,
31:57Julian had called out to him
31:58with a dark, bitter look.
32:00Mr. Viente,
32:00you're way older than us.
32:02Realistically,
32:02you and Mia
32:03don't belong in the same world.
32:04So back off.
32:05You two are completely
32:05wrong for each other.
32:07Lucian had stared down
32:08at the young guy
32:08in silence for a long moment,
32:10then let out a cold,
32:11arrogant smirk.
32:12Are you seriously
32:13trying to step up to me?
32:14What if I am?
32:16Julian had glared at him
32:17with undisguired hatred.
32:18In contrast,
32:20Lucian had been
32:20completely composed.
32:22You didn't even have the guts
32:22to take eight shots
32:23for her without hesitating.
32:25How the hell do you think
32:26you can protect her?
32:27Yeah, I am older than Mia,
32:29but I don't give a damn.
32:30Money, power, protection,
32:33anything she ever wants,
32:34I can give her.
32:35Julian had flinched
32:36hard at those words.
32:38Lucian's smirk had widened,
32:39radiating the absolute confidence
32:40of a man who owned the world.
32:42She is mine, period.
32:45In the moonlight,
32:46Lucian set his jaw tight.
32:48His gaze rested
32:49on the sleeping girl
32:50on the bed.
32:51Infinitely deep,
32:52possessive,
32:53and desperately gentle.
32:55I slept like a log.
32:58When I opened my eyes,
33:00I was lying in a massive,
33:01unfamiliar bed.
33:02The moment I saw Lucian
33:03sleeping with his head
33:04resting on the edge
33:05of the mattress,
33:06a strange sense of relief
33:07washed over me.
33:10The second I shifted,
33:11his eyes snapped open.
33:12You're up?
33:13Are you feeling sick anywhere?
33:15I shook my head
33:16and let Lucian prop me up
33:17against the pillows.
33:20Last night?
33:25The second I spoke,
33:27I realized my voice was raspy.
33:29Lucian handed me
33:30a glass of water.
33:31The cool water
33:32hit my dry throat,
33:33and I finally felt human again.
33:36Nothing happened
33:36between us last night.
33:38Don't get the wrong idea.
33:43Even though the doctor
33:44checked you out,
33:45if you feel off in any way,
33:46I'll take you straight
33:47to the hospital.
33:48Seeing the pure worry
33:48in his eyes
33:49made my nose sting sharply.
33:52I threw my arms around his neck
33:54and burst into ugly sobs.
33:56He froze for a second.
33:58Then he wrapped his arms around me
33:59and held on tight,
34:00as if he wanted to meld me
34:02right into his bones.
34:04Don't be scared anymore.
34:06I'm right here.
34:07I cried for what felt like hours,
34:09smearing tears all over his black shirt,
34:11looking a complete mess.
34:14When I finally calmed down,
34:16I let Lucian
34:17slowly wipe the tears
34:18from my face.
34:23Don't worry.
34:25I will make sure
34:25you get justice for this.
34:27I won't let a single soul
34:28get away with touching you.
34:29At the mention of Julian,
34:30a cold, violent aura
34:31flared around him.
34:32Yet I couldn't help thinking
34:33he looked insanely attractive
34:34like that.
34:35Last night,
34:35when I was out of my mind,
34:36I'd been clinging to him
34:37the whole time.
34:38That must have been
34:39torture for him.
34:40Yet even then,
34:41he hadn't crossed
34:42a single line.
34:44What is it?
34:47He let out a low chuckle.
34:49The way he looked at me
34:49held a commanding,
34:50possessive tenderness.
34:52After a long moment,
34:53a smile curled my lips.
34:54Lucian, I think
34:56I'm starting to fall for you.
34:58In the blink of an eye,
34:59Lucian and I had been together
35:00for over six months.
35:02He was still
35:03ridiculously clingy,
35:04even better at saying
35:05things that made me blush
35:06than when we were dating online.
35:08Late at night,
35:09the quiet skyline of Vetera
35:10stretched beyond
35:11the flooring glass.
35:13Lucian hugged me
35:14from behind,
35:15resting his chin
35:16on my shoulder,
35:17his raspy voice teasing.
35:18Tell me, baby,
35:20who do you belong to now?
35:22My cheeks burned.
35:23I stubbornly refused
35:24to answer.
35:26Lucian let out
35:27a low laugh
35:27and tightened his arms
35:28around me.
35:29Shy again?
35:30Back when we were
35:31behind a screen,
35:32weren't you great
35:32at bossing me around?
35:36He tilted his head
35:37and pressed a soft kiss
35:38right below my ear.
35:39You used to tell me
35:40I was too clingy,
35:41but it was only
35:42after you left
35:42that I realized
35:43I couldn't survive
35:44without you.
35:45My heart melted
35:46and I turned around
35:47to wrap my arms
35:48around him.
35:51The phone on the night's dad
35:53buzzed.
35:53It was a text
35:54from Isabella.
35:55Mia, since you're
35:56officially becoming
35:57my dad's girlfriend
35:58soon, I'll leak
35:58a little secret.
36:01Grandma was over the moon
36:02when she found out
36:02you guys were together.
36:03She's been nagging him
36:04to bring you back
36:04to the estate.
36:05After all,
36:06our whole family
36:06is obsessed with you.
36:09Staring at the screen,
36:10I couldn't help laughing.
36:11Lucian leaned over
36:12my shoulder.
36:13His expression turned
36:14unusually awkward.
36:15Ignore her.
36:16She just loves
36:16spouting nonsense.
36:17Well, she's not wrong,
36:18is it?
36:19It really does seem
36:20like everyone
36:20at the Vetti estate
36:21loves me.
36:22He was silent
36:23for a moment,
36:24then took my hand
36:25and pressed a kiss
36:26against my fingers.
36:27It isn't their affection
36:28that makes you belong there.
36:29It's because I want
36:30you to stay.
36:31He paused.
36:32Mia, no matter
36:33where you want to go
36:34or what life you choose,
36:34I'll be right beside you,
36:35but the Vetti estate
36:36will always have a place
36:37that belongs to you.
36:38And as for me...
36:38He lowered his head
36:39and gently claimed my lips.
36:41I'll always be waiting
36:42for you to come home.