Three years ago, Nora walked away from her broke college sweetheart. Now she finds him ruling New York's underworld as a Mafia Don.
She's desperate to save a dying child, so she accepts his ruthless offer. But old flames, buried lies, and the real reason she left are coming back. And Roman's obsession is only getting tighter.
Nora will have to confess why she left, and decide whether he's too dangerous to trust or still the home her heart never left.
This is the full episode. Watch until the end to see how far the truth goes.
Would you trust Roman after what Nora hid from him? Or is he too dangerous, no matter how he once loved her? Tell me where you stand in the comments.
Subscribe for more romance, mafia drama, and second-chance love stories.
#MafiaRomance #FullEpisode #DarkRomance #SecondChanceRomance #DramaSeries #RomanceStory
She's desperate to save a dying child, so she accepts his ruthless offer. But old flames, buried lies, and the real reason she left are coming back. And Roman's obsession is only getting tighter.
Nora will have to confess why she left, and decide whether he's too dangerous to trust or still the home her heart never left.
This is the full episode. Watch until the end to see how far the truth goes.
Would you trust Roman after what Nora hid from him? Or is he too dangerous, no matter how he once loved her? Tell me where you stand in the comments.
Subscribe for more romance, mafia drama, and second-chance love stories.
#MafiaRomance #FullEpisode #DarkRomance #SecondChanceRomance #DramaSeries #RomanceStory
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FunTranscript
00:00Please!
00:01Please don't go!
00:03When I broke it off with Roman, he was just a broke kid.
00:06Eyes red as he begged me not to leave.
00:08When we met again, he was an untouchable Mafia Don.
00:12Come on, help me out!
00:15And he witnessed my desperate scramble for cash.
00:18I never thought I'd run into Roman here.
00:20Sleep with me?
00:21A hundred grand.
00:24One night.
00:25After three years, this was the first time seeing him.
00:28Come on, please.
00:30I was scraping for cash to save a life.
00:32He'd risen to the top of the city's underworld.
00:35I'd just been begging an old friend who worked the front desk for a loan.
00:38Roman had heard every word after my old friend hurriedly bowed to the man behind me.
00:42Only then did I realize he'd been there.
00:44He watched me for a long moment, his dark eyes unreadable.
00:47It's been a while.
00:48It has.
00:49The humiliation was drowning me.
00:51I couldn't stand there another second.
00:53I have somewhere to be. I should leave.
00:54Wait!
00:56He pulled a card from his suit pocket as he spoke.
00:58Short on cash?
01:00A hundred grand?
01:01One night?
01:02Long fingers held the card out to me.
01:04Deal?
01:05I stared at the card.
01:06The doctor's voice echoed in my head.
01:08The child is only two.
01:10You need to decide fast.
01:11He can't wait.
01:12The full payment has to clear before we can start treatment.
01:15I swallowed hard.
01:18Can I take an advance for five days?
01:21Roman let out a soft mock laugh.
01:23That's a month's rate.
01:24Three million.
01:25I dug my nails into my palm, forcing myself to stay clear headed.
01:29Leo's treatment.
01:30That's what mattered.
01:31Nothing else.
01:32Even if Roman was doing this to humiliate me, he was patient and didn't rush me.
01:37I couldn't meet his eyes, but I finally reached out and took the card.
01:41He wasn't surprised.
01:43He handed me a key card too.
01:44I have a meeting to handle.
01:46Go up the penthouse and wait for me.
01:50In the shower, I couldn't help drifting back to when Roman and I were still together.
01:53Back then, he hadn't been claimed by the Vital family yet.
01:56Just a regular broke college kid.
01:58Before we graduated, we'd both landed job offers.
02:01And we had all the time in the world.
02:03That apartment.
02:04The bedroom.
02:04The couch.
02:05The balcony.
02:06Every inch of it bore the traces of our lovemaking.
02:09Fresh out of the shower, I perched on the bed in a slinky nightgown.
02:13What was coming felt strangely familiar.
02:15Tangled with a sharp edge of shame.
02:17A soft beat from the key card.
02:20He was back.
02:21He leaned against the door, hands in his pockets.
02:23Loose and casual.
02:24I stood and stepped toward him.
02:25Then slowed to a stop a few paces away.
02:27The alcohol darkened whatever was smoldering in his eyes.
02:29Miss Nora, three years and this is how I find you?
02:32A complete mess?
02:34He lit a cigarette, unhurried.
02:37You paid a hundred grand just to talk?
02:39He flicked ash from his cigarette.
02:41So you're waiting for me to make the first move?
02:44I understood.
02:45The dawn of the Vittori family was never short of women at his side.
02:49The world always came to him, not the other way around.
02:53I exhaled quietly and walked to him.
02:55His expression didn't shift at all.
02:57He just looked down at me.
02:58I couldn't meet his eyes.
03:00So I stared at his collar.
03:02Like it was a task, I calmly reached for his tie.
03:05Loosened it the same way I had three years ago.
03:08The first time I'd nodded it for his interview.
03:10Roman stayed still.
03:12Then the moment my fingers touched his shirt button, he caught my wrist.
03:18Our eyes locked, and I saw three years of pent up something in his.
03:21The next second, he spun me around.
03:23My wrists were pinned against the door.
03:25He stared down at me, then leaned in.
03:26My instinct was to turn away from a kiss that carried too much.
03:29But Leo's face flashed in my mind.
03:31I held still.
03:32I slowly closed my eyes.
03:34He stopped a centimeter from my lips.
03:36His breath warm against mine.
03:38What are you expecting?
03:43He gave a low, mocking laugh.
03:44My eyes snapped open.
03:47You into this kind of thing?
03:49Being someone's sub?
03:51No.
03:55Don't tell me you haven't slept with anyone else in three years.
03:58There hadn't.
03:59Because of Leo.
04:00And because after Roman, no one else could hold my interest.
04:03He took my silence as confirmation.
04:05His hand slid slowly up to my throat.
04:08His fingers tightened.
04:09Just slightly.
04:11Not enough to hurt.
04:12A warning.
04:13Don't lie to me, Nora.
04:15If you did.
04:16I froze.
04:17Lifted my head toward the direction of his voice.
04:19His gaze held mine.
04:20He was nothing like he'd been three years ago.
04:23Gone was the boy who'd huddled with me in that cramped little apartment.
04:27In his place stood the Don.
04:29A man who could decide life and death with a flick of his wrist.
04:32The air went still.
04:33He let go abruptly.
04:39I just don't like sloppy seconds.
04:43I remembered he'd always had a thing about that.
04:46I accepted the answer.
04:47That night, he didn't touch me.
04:49He only told me not to take the blindfold off.
04:52Exhausted from the day, I fell asleep fast.
04:54Half conscious, I felt someone pull me back against him.
04:58His voice at my ear.
04:59Do you have any idea how long I searched for you?
05:02I'm not letting you leave me again.
05:06I hadn't expected three years to turn him this obsessive.
05:09This raw.
05:10But he didn't keep me locked up.
05:12The next morning when I stepped out of the room,
05:15two guards at the door moved to block me.
05:18Roman's deep voice rang out from inside.
05:20Let her go.
05:21He didn't even put anyone on me.
05:24I went to the hospital and paid every cent.
05:27Dr. Liam Harrison was Leo's attending physician.
05:30When money was tightest, he'd covered treatment costs for me.
05:33Over and over.
05:34After Leo's checkup, Liam was just clocking out.
05:37He suggested dinner.
05:38I owed him.
05:40Okay.
05:41I insisted on paying.
05:44Where'd you get the money?
05:45Liam asked, pushing food around his plate.
05:47Borrowed it.
05:48Which was true.
05:49I fully intended to pay Roman back.
05:52Liam sighed and, without warning, took my hand.
05:54Nora, if you're short, you can always come to me.
05:57How much can you lend her?
05:58A familiar voice cut in from above us.
06:01I yanked my hand back on reflex.
06:02Several guards stood at Roman's back.
06:05That Tesla outside yours?
06:07What I gave her in one day could buy your whole car.
06:12Liam paled.
06:13I frowned and tugged at Roman's sleeve.
06:15I wanted to tell him to cut it out.
06:17He ignored me.
06:19Who the hell do you think you are?
06:20The men at his back already had their hands resting on the guns at their hips.
06:24I'm sorry, Dr. Harrison.
06:26I bowed to him, nails digging into my palms.
06:29I was using Roman's money.
06:31I had no right to make him apologize on my behalf.
06:34So I did it myself.
06:36Roman scoffed and dragged me out of the restaurant without another word.
06:40Straight back to the hotel.
06:41Same penthouse.
06:42He shoved me inside.
06:43I nearly lost my footing.
06:45His fury was written across his face.
06:48Last night, what did you tell me?
06:52You fucking told me there was no one else.
06:56There isn't.
06:57Liam and I, there's nothing between us.
07:00Then why was he holding your hand?
07:02Why would he just throw a few hundred grand at you?
07:05Answer me.
07:11Roman, what do you want?
07:12I already told you clearly there was no one.
07:14No one else.
07:15Why did you force me?
07:16What do you want me to say?
07:18Force you?
07:19Do you know what real force looks like?
07:21Nora, you used to be mine.
07:22That's why I've had the patience to wait until you're ready.
07:25And now, you really think I'm still gonna spoil you like that?
07:28Before I could speak, he tossed the gun onto the nearby couch.
07:31He hoisted me over his shoulder.
07:34I landed on white velvet sheets.
07:40I couldn't fight.
07:41I didn't have the right to.
07:43Numb.
07:44Resigned.
07:45I braced for what was coming.
07:46And then he stopped.
07:47At my complete lack of resistance.
07:50Nora.
07:52What am I to you?
07:55Your creditor?
07:57I opened my mouth.
07:58Nothing came out.
07:59He turned away.
08:01Walked to the window.
08:02That empty look on your face.
08:04That's exactly how you looked when I begged you not to leave me.
08:08For three years, I kept wondering.
08:11Did you ever love me at all?
08:13How else could you have walked away like that?
08:15His tall, straight silhouette had never looked so alone.
08:18It was the first time since we'd met again that he'd shown me anything soft.
08:22That's not true.
08:24I made myself brave for once.
08:26Just tell him, Nora.
08:27If after three years you still love him, stop standing in the way of what you two could
08:32have.
08:32He went still.
08:34Three years ago.
08:35Three years ago.
08:36I've never stopped loving you.
08:40I had a reason for breaking up with you.
08:42Nora.
08:43Say it again.
08:45Look me in the eye.
08:47Three years ago.
08:48And now.
08:50Roman, I still love you.
08:52Three years of drifting.
08:53In that moment, my heart found its way home.
08:57Nora.
08:58Don't lie to me again.
09:00Three years of hunger spilled out.
09:02His hand on the back of my head, angling me to meet him.
09:05Say you love me.
09:07I love you.
09:13Enough.
09:14I could barely breathe.
09:15Then the door burst open.
09:17Roman, I just got back.
09:18Valentina.
09:19She was the Russo family heiress and Roman's steadfast ally.
09:23Together, they hold the lifeblood of Manhattan's underworld in their grip.
09:27She froze, staring at us.
09:30The words died on her tongue.
09:32The smile slid off her face.
09:34I stood with my back to the door.
09:36Their voices drifted in from the hallway.
09:38Roman, snap out of it.
09:40You really think she still loves you?
09:43Look at the state of her.
09:45She shows up like this now.
09:47Anyone can see what she wants.
09:49If you weren't who you are now, would she have come crawling back?
09:53I can tell.
09:54She's not lying.
09:59And even if she is, even if it's for the money, as long as she stays, that's enough.
10:07Roman!
10:09You've turned down every woman these three years.
10:11You were waiting for her, weren't you?
10:15She dropped you like it was nothing.
10:17And you still only want her?
10:20You'll regret this.
10:21I guarantee it.
10:22She'll hurt you all over again.
10:24So Valentina still felt the same way about him.
10:27When Roman came back in, I was on the couch watching him, just looking.
10:32And in that daze, I felt like I'd owed him for three years.
10:36Roman had been buried in family business.
10:38No breaks.
10:39Before I could tell him about the last three years, about Leo, I got a call from Liam.
10:47Nora, we found a bone marrow match for Leo.
10:49I bit down on my joy and rushed to the hospital, terrified this was a dream.
10:54After all the confirmations, Leo finally had a future.
10:57Liam walked with me to the room.
10:58I bent down and hugged Leo softly, letting the tears come.
11:02Mama, don't cry.
11:04At that exact moment, the door swung open.
11:07Roman was standing there, frozen, staring at Leo.
11:13He'd clearly heard the mama.
11:15He stepped closer, eyes locked on the boy.
11:17After a long pause, he asked one thing.
11:19How old are you?
11:20Leo answered obediently.
11:22Two.
11:23I realized what Roman thought.
11:24His eyes went red so fast it caught me off guard.
11:26How was I supposed to tell him?
11:28Leo wasn't his.
11:29After settling Leo down, I followed Roman back to his car.
11:32I set it flat and clean.
11:33He's not yours.
11:34His head whipped toward me.
11:36His stare was heavy.
11:38He's not mine either.
11:39I rubbed my forehead and gave him a tired smile, then told him the short version.
11:45After we broke up, I moved away from Manhattan right away.
11:48For an entire year, I was a ghost of myself.
11:51I didn't even notice the gas valve at home wasn't shut properly.
11:54One afternoon, I fell asleep on the couch.
11:56I nearly died in that gas leak.
11:58I woke up in a hospital.
12:00Leo's mother was the one who found me.
12:02She lived across the hall.
12:04Coming home at noon, she caught the smell seeping under my door.
12:07She saved my life.
12:08But she couldn't save her own.
12:10She was a single mother.
12:11No family.
12:12Just her and Leo.
12:13By the time I met her, she was already stage four carodial cancer.
12:17She delayed treatment through her pregnancy.
12:20Before she died, she watched me hold Leo.
12:24A soft, relieved smile on her face.
12:30If I hadn't met you, the only place Leo could go was the orphanage.
12:34I'll take care of him.
12:35I gave her the simplest promise I could.
12:39So that's why you agreed to my little... deal.
12:43He drew out the word deal, half mocking.
12:46I had no choice.
12:49Leo has a leukemia.
12:51He needed treatment now.
12:54So if he hadn't gotten sick, you'd never have come back to me.
12:57Right?
12:58The silence in the car was suffocating.
13:00I opened my mouth.
13:02Forget it.
13:03I don't want to know.
13:06He gave a careless smile and started the engine.
13:09Leo's pre-transplant prep moved forward.
13:12Color was coming back to his face.
13:13But between me and Roman, there was still a wall.
13:16He'd hold me.
13:17Kiss me.
13:18But he wouldn't listen to the reason I'd left him three years ago.
13:22Every time I tried, he'd change the subject.
13:25I kept remembering what he'd said to Valentina.
13:28Even if she's here for the money, as long as she stays, that's enough.
13:33His avoidance looked more and more like fear.
13:36Finally, I decided I was going to lay it all out.
13:42He came home with blood streaking his shirt.
13:45Reeking of liquor.
13:46Word from his men was he'd just taken care of a family trader.
13:49It was a long-standing Vitari tradition to drink and celebrate with family after a purge.
13:53They'd poured hard.
13:54He collapsed onto the couch.
13:58Feeling bad?
13:59I asked.
14:01Want water?
14:04Yeah.
14:05He nodded.
14:06Docile.
14:09I made him warm tea with honey and crouched in front of him.
14:15The man, who'd been squinting a second ago, was staring right at me.
14:20I handed him the cup.
14:23Are you sober?
14:25I want to talk to you.
14:26About three years ago, why I-
14:28I don't want to hear it.
14:28He turned his head away.
14:30Almost childlike.
14:31What other reason could there be besides not wanting me anymore?
14:33His voice came out low.
14:34Nora, three years ago you were just tired of me.
14:38I froze.
14:39Why would you think that?
14:40He wouldn't look at me.
14:41His voice was cold as ever.
14:43Isn't it true?
14:44Back then you barely answered my calls.
14:46You blew off my texts.
14:47Wouldn't let me see you.
14:48The window of time he was describing.
14:49It was the worst stretch of my life.
14:54I softened.
14:55And I finally told him the story.
14:57I'd gone alone to a class reunion, Queens.
15:00Someone drugged my drink.
15:05He took me to a hotel.
15:08Roman, Valentina.
15:09And I had all gone to the same college.
15:12Different departments.
15:14Valentina heard fast.
15:15She came to find me.
15:17You look pretty calm.
15:19I already set the record straight.
15:20Believing me is your problem.
15:21It's a rumor.
15:22Am I supposed to lose mind proving myself?
15:24Stop with the victim blaming.
15:25Aren't you scared Roman will hear?
15:27Nora, can you prove nothing happened with those two?
15:32Roman, could you ever accept your girlfriend sleeping with another man?
15:37Impossible.
15:44Do him a favor.
15:46End it before it gets ugly.
15:48When he finds out, even if he says he believes you, do you really think he won't care?
15:53He'll hold it against you.
15:55He'll drift away.
15:56Then you'll fall apart and end it anyway.
16:01Are you gonna drag it out to that point, Nora?
16:17The events of three years ago.
16:19The rumor.
16:20The taint.
16:21The exhaustion of no one believing me.
16:23I told it flat, like it happened to someone else.
16:27I turned to look at Roman.
16:28He'd already turned to me.
16:30His gaze was heavy.
16:31Endless.
16:34I smiled at him.
16:36Both had gotten three years.
16:38They'd be out by now.
16:40I didn't dare tell him that.
16:42He pressed his hand to my back, folding me against his chest.
16:47I'll kill them.
16:49He seemed afraid of scaring me.
16:52He forced the subject to shift.
16:55Then why are you telling me now?
16:57Both had gotten three years.
17:00They'd be out by now.
17:01I didn't dare tell him that.
17:03I cupped his face and kissed his eyelid.
17:06Because a man who waited three years for me wouldn't fall for a rumor.
17:10Valina's video was fake.
17:11I never said that.
17:13I know.
17:14The dim light cast his features into something almost tender.
17:17I couldn't help myself.
17:19I leaned in and kissed him.
17:21The next second, he took over.
17:23Once the misunderstanding was out, everything after felt inevitable.
17:28A wolf starved for three years doesn't just eat.
17:30It tears you apart.
17:32I remember clearly.
17:33By dawn, when the sky was already pale, I still hadn't slept.
17:37Roman, I'm going to die if you keep going.
17:39I finally got a break.
17:40But in the morning, before he left, he slipped my nightgown off again.
17:44I slept until evening.
17:45He woke me with a kiss.
17:46Still tired?
17:48Get out.
17:49So tonight-
17:49Roman, don't you dare.
17:50Dare what?
17:51I meant tonight's Mercy Gala.
17:52Will you come with me?
17:56Because my neck and collarbones weren't fit to be seen, my gown covered me from throat to wrist.
18:05I slipped my arm through Roman's and moved with him through the room.
18:09And this is?
18:10People kept asking.
18:13I thought he'd say girlfriend.
18:15My fiancé.
18:17The future Mrs. Vitale.
18:19I stared at him, stunned.
18:22When we were alone, he explained.
18:27Normally, a dawn in the life never settles for just one woman.
18:31Girlfriend was usually just the polite term for a dawn's mistress.
18:34Oh.
18:35My voice came out flat.
18:38For a second, I'd thought he was going to propose.
18:42What about you?
18:45Are you going to have a bunch of women too?
18:52He smiled and brushed a soft kiss to my cheek.
18:55Of course not.
18:56Past, present, future.
18:57It's only ever been you, and it always will be.
19:00I was thoroughly pleased with his answer.
19:01A faint smile tugging unpairing at the corner of my mouth.
19:04He caught my expression and smiled, then stopped as someone came toward us.
19:08Valentina.
19:08Uninvited.
19:09Her polite smile couldn't hide what was underneath.
19:11Roman's face went cold the moment he saw her.
19:12She stared at him, paused, then understood.
19:14She gave a small knowing-he-smile.
19:16Roman had more people to see.
19:18He couldn't stay, it was just me and Valentina.
19:21You know what you are?
19:22The poisonous ex who comes back.
19:25The one that got away.
19:26The second you came back, he only saw you.
19:29Three years of my work gone.
19:31Three years I stayed by his side, hoping one day he'd finally let you go and love me.
19:36Turns out I was wasting my breath.
19:39She laughed at herself.
19:42She came fast.
19:44She left fast.
19:46When Roman came back, I was alone at the table.
19:49He frowned and tugged at his tie like it was choking him.
19:56What did she say to you?
20:04I smiled.
20:05He was scared she'd knocked something loose in me again.
20:07Scared I'd leave.
20:08He said I'm your one that got away.
20:10I leaned in a little, looking into his eyes.
20:12Am I?
20:13He glanced at me.
20:14Didn't answer.
20:15But that night, he took me to his private estate.
20:17The second we stepped into the elevator, he was kissing me.
20:20Rough.
20:21Urgent.
20:22The wet sounds filled the small space.
20:24He pulled back slightly and gripped my jaw.
20:26You're not the one who got away.
20:27The gown tore.
20:28Every mark underneath was one he'd put there.
20:30He smiled.
20:31Satisfied.
20:31You're the one I'm keeping.
20:33Three years of buried rage hadn't gone anywhere.
20:35Roman carried hate, and he picked the two men fresh out of prison to bleed his rage out on.
20:39A rainy night.
20:40He hadn't come home yet.
20:41I got a call from Valentina.
20:43He's going to kill them.
20:45Are you satisfied now?
20:46The next second, a raw scream came through the phone.
20:49When I got there, the two men were on their knees in the pouring rain,
20:53beaten by a ring of Roman's crew, begging.
20:56Roman stood in a black coat, a guard holding an umbrella behind him.
21:00Two pieces of trash.
21:01He said flatly.
21:02Valina had probably been afraid he'd turn on her too.
21:05She left the moment I arrived.
21:06One of them crawled out of the pile and grabbed Roman's shoe.
21:09Roman stepped down on his hand.
21:11Please!
21:11Let us go!
21:13He smiled, uninterested.
21:14Took a baseball bat from the guard.
21:16Pressed it lazily against the man's skull.
21:18Let you what?
21:19Let you die?
21:20He lifted the bat, ready to swing.
21:23Roman!
21:24I caught him just in time.
21:25He froze.
21:26Didn't turn.
21:27I walked to him under the umbrella.
21:28They've already served their time.
21:30Come home with me.
21:31Please.
21:36Who called you?
21:37His voice was ice.
21:39Valentina?
21:40I didn't answer.
21:42He turned to a guard.
21:43Bring her here too.
21:45Stop this.
21:46I reached for his arm.
21:48He flung me off.
21:49My wrist twisted in the motion.
21:52Someone has to pay for what I went through.
21:55These three years.
21:57I looked at his face, at how close he was to breaking.
22:01It hurt.
22:02He'd held too much in for too long.
22:05I dropped the umbrella and walked back to him.
22:08Took his hand.
22:09Come home.
22:11Please.
22:12I'm scared alone in the house.
22:14Thunder cracked.
22:15Thunder cracked.
22:16I flinched on instinct.
22:18I flinched on instinct.
22:18Roman knew.
22:19Thunder had always terrified me.
22:22Almost instantly, his hands covered my ears and he pulled me into his chest.
22:28He put me in the car and ordered the guards to stop.
22:31The ride home was silent.
22:34By then, my wrist had swollen.
22:36He came out in a change of clothes and found me putting ointment on it.
22:41You twisted it?
22:43He was at my side immediately.
22:45It's fine.
22:46Just a little swollen.
22:48Not bad.
22:50Did I do this?
22:51Really.
22:52It's nothing.
22:55He stared at my wrist, then pulled me carefully into his arms.
22:59His voice was hassy.
23:01I'm sorry.
23:02I scared you.
23:06I hugged him back and ran my hand through his hair.
23:09I know you're doing this for me.
23:12I know it'd be nothing for you.
23:14To make them vanish from this city without a trace.
23:19I respect your family's code.
23:21But as far as I'm concerned, they've already had their punishment.
23:25He held me tighter.
23:27Anything you don't like, I won't do.
23:31That night, he curled around me from behind, held me to him.
23:35Nora.
23:37Don't leave me.
23:38I sighed.
23:40Pulled back enough to face him.
23:43Kissed him softly.
23:45I won't.
23:46Roman.
23:47Stop being so afraid.
23:49Trust me.
23:49Just once.
23:50Rain outside.
23:51Soft.
23:52Not threatening.
23:54His voice was serious.
23:56I knew he'd keep it.
23:57The days after, I could feel him holding himself back.
24:01When I went out without telling him, he'd just stand in the living room, jaw tight, watching, but he wouldn't
24:07grill me anymore.
24:10When I went to see Leo at the hospital, he wouldn't casually ask whether Liam was on shift that day.
24:16He was actually changing.
24:19Slowly.
24:20But jealousy was instinct.
24:23After Leo's surgery, Roman and I went to see him together.
24:27The nurses had taken good care of him.
24:28He blinked those wide, wet eyes at me, then at Roman.
24:31This is Mr. Vitale.
24:32I held his tiny hand and introduced him gently.
24:35Roman kept his face plank.
24:37Why does he call you Mama and me Mr. Vitale?
24:40What else was he supposed to call him?
24:42It was Leo who called me Mama.
24:43He picked it up from the other kids.
24:45I tried to correct him at first.
24:47It didn't take.
24:48I gave up.
24:48I figured I'd explain when he was older.
24:50Mr. Vitale.
24:51Leo said it obediently, but he clearly found Roman a little scary.
24:55Roman answered.
24:56Dry.
24:56Then Liam walked in, and the mood finally shifted.
24:59Liam!
24:59The little guy's eyes lit up.
25:01He pulled two candies from under his pillow.
25:03Gave one to me.
25:04One to Liam.
25:05Nothing for Roman.
25:06Someone's expression dartened at being left out.
25:09A nurse walked in for rounds right then, saw the scene, and made the worst possible joke.
25:13If Dr. Harrison wasn't wearing his coat, I'd think you three were a family.
25:18Someone's face couldn't have looked more thunderless.
25:21All the way home, watching him snulp, I couldn't stop laughing.
25:25I tried to coax him.
25:27Don't take it out on a toddler.
25:29He scawed.
25:30You think I care what they think?
25:36You still only want me, don't you?
25:38I nodded along.
25:40Only you.
25:42You're just saying it.
25:44He scoffed and let me go.
25:46I glanced at his tie.
25:48Something clicked.
25:49I walked over, pulled it loose, and slid it over his eyes.
25:52Pat his cheek.
25:54Meaningful.
25:54You into this, boss?
25:56He laughed.
25:56Lazy.
25:57How do we play?
25:58I didn't answer.
25:59Took his hand and led him to the bedroom.
26:01I'll teach you.
26:03I'd been curious the past few days.
26:06Looked up a video.
26:07Just to watch.
26:09But actually doing it.
26:11I was out of my depth.
26:12He took the upper hand fast.
26:14Even blindfolded.
26:15Even with the tie on.
26:18Even with the tie on.
26:21Afterward, I couldn't help asking.
26:23You really went three years without anyone?
26:26It doesn't feel like it.
26:28Way too skilled.
26:36He gave a lazy laugh.
26:38That kind of thing.
26:39I always handled myself.
26:41For whether he'd really gone three years without, he demonstrated the answer.
26:45Thoroughly.
26:45With three years worth of stored energy.
26:49I was completely wrecked.
26:54What?
26:54Roman had said he didn't care what anyone else thought.
26:57But he wouldn't let me be stuck between him and Leo.
26:59So whenever he had time, he came to the hospital with me.
27:02Tried to close the gap with Leo.
27:05The man who ran half the city's hard word was losing badly.
27:08Roman, can you read me a bedtime story like Mama does?
27:11Sure.
27:12Then he opened the story book and read it like a council briefing.
27:16Stiff.
27:16By the book.
27:17Half an hour later, Leo was still wide awake.
27:19Mama.
27:20Two year olds don't do subtlety.
27:22I don't want Roman to read.
27:23If you can't, can you get Liam?
27:24I smiled awkwardly and took over.
27:26Roman ran the underworld, but he kept face pawning at Leo's bedtime.
27:29It wasn't quite warm.
27:30But somehow, it worked.
27:32Three hours later, it was Leo's rest time.
27:36Roman went to bring the car around.
27:38I waited at the hospital entrance.
27:39Is he good to you?
27:40Liam came up behind me.
27:42It took me a second to catch up.
27:44I smiled and nodded.
27:45Yeah.
27:46That day, when he pulled you out, he looked ready to kill.
27:48I heard he's the Don of the Vitralla Mafia.
27:51You okay after that?
27:52I thought back and had to laugh.
27:53To the rest of the world, Roman was brutal.
27:55And he had to be.
27:57Otherwise, the family would crumble under his watch.
27:59But with me, he was careful.
28:01Almost tentative.
28:02Before he was sure how I felt, he hadn't even dared kiss me.
28:05At most, hold me.
28:06I'm fine.
28:07He smiled too.
28:09Good.
28:10Leo can be discharged soon.
28:12And I'm transferring to another city.
28:14Liam sighed.
28:15Wish I could have helped more with Leo.
28:16I'm sorry.
28:17Dr. Harrison.
28:18Really.
28:20You did so much.
28:21He didn't argue.
28:22Just looked toward Roman's car in the distance.
28:24Something wistful in his eyes.
28:26Some things...
28:26It's not the right time to say now.
28:28Nora.
28:29I looked up.
28:29He seemed to have a lot he wanted to say.
28:31But finally, he just gave a small, defeated laugh.
28:34Never mind.
28:35Goodbye.
28:35Goodbye, Dr. Harrison.
28:38In the car, someone's stare was cooler than the AC.
28:41You two had a lot to talk about?
28:43When I told him Liam was transferring away, Roman's face finally eased.
28:47I watched the road.
28:48Where are we going?
28:49Dinner.
28:50I didn't think much of it.
28:51We left at sunset and arrived as night fell.
28:55Top floor.
28:56A table was set beside the floor to clear windows the whole city lit up beneath us.
29:01The second I realized he'd reserved the entire place, I knew this wasn't just dinner.
29:06We ate, but not for long.
29:08Then Roman placed a velvet box on the table and slid it towards me.
29:13Nora.
29:13My heart started pounding.
29:15Wasted enough time.
29:16His voice was low, steady.
29:18The kind of steady that only made everything feel more real.
29:21Three years ago, I asked you to marry me.
29:24He opened the box.
29:27Back then, you said yes.
29:29He took my hand slowly.
29:31His gaze fixed on mine and slipped the ring onto my finger.
29:34It fit perfectly.
29:36His thumb brushed over my knuckles before he spoke again.
29:39And after everything that happened, after all this time,
29:41the one woman I want beside me is still you.
29:43My throat tightened.
29:44Roman stood and pulled me up with him until I was right in front of him.
29:47I tried to live without you.
29:48His hand came to my waist, holding me there.
29:51It didn't work.
29:52He gave a small, humorless smile.
29:54No one else was ever going to be enough.
29:56No one else was ever going to be you.
29:57I looked at him, at the man who had once been ever cured in his voice into me and somehow
30:02still was.
30:03His expression didn't change much, but I could wait of all those years, all the things he must have kept
30:08buried.
30:08I loved you then.
30:10I never stopped.
30:11He lifted a hand and touched my face, almost carefully.
30:14So I'm asking you again.
30:16Marry me, Nora.
30:17His eyes locked on mine.
30:19I couldn't speak for a second.
30:21All the Aang of the last three years rose into my throat at once.
30:24I reached up, touched his jaw, then leaned in and kissed him soft.
30:26When I pulled back, my voice came out unsteady.
30:29My answer hasn't changed.
30:30Something in his face finally broke.
30:31Just a little.
30:32Just enough.
30:33It's still yes.
30:34His forehead rested against mine, and I let myself breathe him in.
30:37Because the truth was, I hadn't changed either.
30:40Not really.
30:40Not in the ways that mattered.
30:41He was still the man I loved.
30:43Still the one I had missed in every quiet moment, every sleepless night, every second I wouldn't let myself say
30:47it out loud.
30:48So I said it now.
30:49I never stopped loving you either.
