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00:01I'm Sophia Lombardo, the real girl, the daughter who got swapped at birth by a nanny.
00:06At the coming-out party, Mom suddenly grabs my hand.
00:09Sophia, we've decided to keep Gia.
00:11Dad and my brother are just standing there, looking at me with this mix of guilt and please say yes.
00:16Mom's eyes are welling up.
00:19Gia's so fragile.
00:21And you know better than anyone what her real father is like.
00:25That thug Miller, if we send her back to a place like that, she won't survive.
00:29Right then, a bunch of floating comments start scrolling past my eyes.
00:33Sophia, don't you dare say yes.
00:35You're the one with the legitimate heir.
00:37Make a scene and your parents will pick you.
00:40You were abused by those people for years.
00:42Why should their daughter get to keep living the high life here?
00:45She's a snake.
00:46Mafia families are all about bloodlines.
00:48Don't let her stay.
00:50In my last life, I didn't know how the underworld worked, so I fell for it.
00:55I caused a huge scene at the party.
00:56Not only did my family turn on me, but I even put us on the FBI's radar.
01:01But in the end, Gia stayed anyway.
01:03Marco was totally done with me and protected her at every turn.
01:07My parents thought I was some unhymed brat and cut me off.
01:10The only one who actually gave a damn about me was Grandpa Alera.
01:13She wore herself out cleaning up my messes, and eventually Gia basically drove her to an early grave.
01:18I got exiled to Italy and ended up jumping off a building.
01:22This time around, I just gave a little smile.
01:25If you can't let her go, then keep her.
01:28Everyone just froze.
01:29My dad leaned in like he didn't hear me right.
01:33Sophia, what did you say?
01:36I pulled my hand out of Mom's and rested it neatly on my lap.
01:43I mean, you guys raised her for years.
01:45It's only natural you'd want her around.
01:48Plus, she's sick.
01:49Sending her back to a low-life family like the Millers would be brutal.
01:52The comments are going crazy now, totally blurring my vision.
01:56Sophia, why the hell did you say yes?
01:58It's over.
01:59Now that you've caved, she'll destroy you.
02:01Are you stupid?
02:02You're the real daughter.
02:03Why are you backing down for a fake?
02:05I listened to that crap in my last life.
02:06I threw a total tantrum at the dinner,
02:08screaming that Gia was a thief and a liar who stole my life.
02:12I smashed glasses, ripped my dress,
02:14and just completely lost my mind in front of everyone.
02:17They didn't care about what I'd been through.
02:19They just thought I was a liability who broke the family rules
02:22and aired our dirty laundry for our enemies to see.
02:24It's not like they couldn't see Gia was framing me.
02:27They just thought I was an outsider who was embarrassing them.
02:30The way they looked at me went from guilt to straight-up disgust.
02:33It's not Gia's fault you were swapped.
02:36She's innocent and fragile,
02:37and you're basically trying to kill her by kicking her out.
02:41Gia stayed.
02:42Everyone loved her.
02:43And every time she made up some lie about me,
02:46they bought it hook, line, and sink in.
02:49Even Grandpa, the only one who loved me,
02:51was driven to death by her.
02:53I got shipped off to Italy,
02:55and Gia eventually had someone drown me in Venice.
02:58But this time,
03:01I'm done listening to these voices.
03:04When they heard my answer,
03:05Mom's jaw finally relaxed.
03:07She looked at me like she couldn't believe it,
03:08trying to see if I was for real.
03:11Sophia, you really don't mind?
03:13I snapped out of it
03:14and tucked a lop of hair behind my ear,
03:16showing the old scars and frostburn on my wrists.
03:19Mom instinctively looked away,
03:21and I saw her grip the edge of her dress,
03:23like it matters if I mind.
03:24I spent 15 years getting beaten at the Millers,
03:27sleeping in a basement in the winter,
03:29and eating scraps in the summer.
03:31Those animals would whip me with belts
03:33whenever they got drunk.
03:35Last time,
03:36I screamed all of this out through my tears.
03:38Look,
03:39it sucks that the Millers were mean to you,
03:41but just because you suffered
03:43doesn't mean Gia should have to.
03:46What's done is done.
03:48Gia's sick,
03:49so it makes sense for her to stay
03:50and be looked after.
03:52Dad's lips trembled for a second
03:53before he finally spoke.
03:55He pulled out a black card
03:56and shoved it into my hand.
04:00We really owe you one.
04:02I didn't fight it.
04:03I just took it.
04:04Grandma Alera stood up
04:05from the head of the table,
04:06her cane something hard
04:07against the marble floor.
04:08All right,
04:09let's just eat.
04:10Mom tried to pull me
04:10to sit next to her,
04:11but I low-key dodged her
04:13and went straight to sit by Grandma.
04:15Halfway through the party,
04:15the butler rushed in
04:16and whispered something to Mom.
04:18Mom's face dropped instantly.
04:19Dad stood up too.
04:21Is Gia having another episode?
04:22I wasn't even surprised.
04:23This is Gia's go-to move.
04:25The second she's not
04:26the center of attention,
04:27she gets sick.
04:27Last time,
04:28as soon as they heard,
04:29they panicked and rushed to her,
04:30leaving me all alone
04:31at my own party.
04:32If it wasn't for Grandma Aladia,
04:33I would have had to walk
04:34all the way back
04:34to the estate by myself.
04:36This time,
04:36they actually remembered
04:37I was there.
04:38Sophia, Gia is...
04:39I knew they'd go see her
04:40whether I liked it or not.
04:41Asking me was just for show.
04:43I'll go with you guys
04:44to check on her.
04:45I put my fork down
04:46and gave them what they wanted.
04:50Watching them,
04:51my heart still felt
04:53a little sting.
04:53The private clinic
04:54in the estate
04:55smelled like medicine.
04:56Gia was lying in bed,
04:58pale as a ghost.
04:59The second she saw me,
05:01the water work started.
05:02Sophia,
05:02I know you hate me.
05:03I'll leave.
05:04I really will.
05:04I just...
05:05I'm gonna miss Mom,
05:06Dad, and Marco so much.
05:07She was really
05:08putting on a sob story.
05:10I just hung back at the door
05:13and the comments
05:14started blowing up again.
05:15She is putting on the act.
05:17Sophia,
05:18trust me,
05:19this is her go-to move
05:20and it works
05:20every single time.
05:22She's the one
05:23who literally drove
05:23your grandmother to death.
05:25Did you forget?
05:26Kick her out.
05:27Now.
05:28Do it already.
05:29I just limbed
05:30against the door frame,
05:31watching Gia put on
05:32her little poor me act
05:34without saying a word.
05:35Oh, stop crying, sweetie.
05:37Sophia doesn't hate you.
05:38No one's gonna kick you out.
05:40Gia's sobbing stopped dead.
05:42She looked up at me,
05:43totally caught off guard.
05:44I stared into her watery eyes,
05:45my face completely blank.
05:47She blinked a few times
05:48and the waterworks
05:49started right back up.
05:51Thank you, Sophia,
05:52for letting me stay.
05:54Mom looked relieved
05:55and told Gia
05:56to just stay in the clinic
05:57and rest up.
05:57Stay in the mess, sweetie.
05:58But Gia immediately
05:59shook her head.
06:00Right in front of me,
06:01the actual daughter,
06:02she grabbed Mom's sleeve
06:03and started acting
06:04like a total brat.
06:05Mom, I'm fine now.
06:07I want to go home.
06:08I can't sleep well
06:09in this place.
06:12Mom gave me
06:12an awkward look
06:13and when our eyes met,
06:14she instinctively pulled
06:16her arm away
06:16from Gia's grip.
06:18Gia's face froze
06:19for a split second.
06:20Outside the clinic,
06:21Mom grabbed my hand
06:21and shoved another
06:22black card into my palm.
06:24Sophia, this is my own money.
06:25Please don't think
06:25it's not enough.
06:26Gia, she's been fragile
06:28since she was a baby
06:29and we spoiled her.
06:30I just hope you can
06:30bear with her.
06:32I took it.
06:33It was the only thing
06:34they had to offer anyway.
06:35After all,
06:36Grandma's still the one
06:37calling the shots
06:37in the Lombardo family.
06:38Mom's eyes got red again.
06:40She looked like she wanted
06:41to hug me
06:41but didn't dare to,
06:43so she just patted
06:43my shoulder.
06:44Once the private doctor
06:45gave the okay,
06:46we all packed up
06:47and headed back
06:47to the Lombardo estate.
06:49The car pulled up
06:50and as I pushed openly,
06:51ballistic.
06:52The comments were going
06:53absolutely ballistic.
06:56Sophia, listen to me.
06:58The south-facing room
06:59on the second floor
06:59is yours.
07:00Gia's been squatting there
07:01for 18 years.
07:03Make her move out.
07:04That was supposed
07:04to be your princess room.
07:06Your parents had it ready
07:07before you were even born.
07:08Don't back down.
07:09If they don't give it to you,
07:11just start crying.
07:14I changed my shoes
07:15without even looking up.
07:18I'll go clear out
07:19my room for you, sis.
07:20I have a lot of stuff,
07:22so maybe just wait
07:23downstairs for a bit?
07:25In my last life,
07:26Grandpa Elaria left
07:27for a bit
07:28right after bringing me back.
07:29The nanny stopped me
07:30at the door
07:31and grilled me forever,
07:32then finally dumped me
07:34in a guest room
07:34in the corner
07:35of the first floor.
07:36It had no windows
07:37and was right next
07:38to the laundry room.
07:39At night,
07:40the machines were so loud
07:41the walls literally shook.
07:43When my parents got back,
07:45I listened to the comments
07:46and threw a fit,
07:47trying to force Gia
07:48to give me my room back.
07:50All I got was a...
07:52Who do you think you are?
07:55In return,
07:56before I could even
07:57say anything,
07:58Mom jumped in.
08:00Gia, don't worry about it.
08:01We've already set up
08:02another room for Sophia
08:03on the second floor.
08:04It's just as nice as Gia's.
08:06Go upstairs
08:06and see if you like it.
08:07I just gave a low.
08:09Okay?
08:09Maybe because I agreed
08:10so easily,
08:11Mom looked a little awkward
08:12and grabbed my hand.
08:14If you need anything,
08:15just tell me.
08:16Don't be shy.
08:18I nodded,
08:19pulled my hand back,
08:20and followed
08:21the butler upstairs.
08:23The room was huge
08:24and got plenty of sun.
08:26Everything was brand new.
08:27I felt the silk duvet.
08:29It was a whole different world
08:31compared to the crusty,
08:32lumpy blankets
08:32I had to use
08:33at the Millers.
08:35I clenched my fingers,
08:37feeling nothing
08:37but pure irony.
08:39So they did have
08:40a room ready for me.
08:41In my last life,
08:42they didn't say
08:43a word about it.
08:44They just let me rot
08:45in that guest room
08:46until the day I died.
08:47I let go
08:49and turned to the butler.
08:51Could you swap these
08:52for dark sheets?
08:53Light colors get dirty
08:54too fast.
08:56The butler nodded
08:57and left.
09:02I looked out the window.
09:05Gia was standing
09:06in the garden,
09:07staring up at my window
09:09with a look
09:10that could kill.
09:12I shut the curtains
09:13and ignored her.
09:16The next day,
09:18Gia stayed home
09:18to recover
09:19and Marco drove me
09:20to handle my school transfer.
09:23In my last life,
09:25Gia kept getting sick
09:26over and over.
09:27They'd all be getting seen.
09:29They probably wouldn't
09:30have even bothered
09:30enrolling me
09:31before graduation.
09:34When I got back
09:35from the school,
09:36Gia was standing
09:37outside my door,
09:38holding a bowl.
09:40She gave me this big
09:41fake smile
09:42when she saw me.
09:44You're back.
09:45How was the school?
09:47We're gonna be
09:48classmates now.
09:49The kitchen made
09:49some hot cocoa,
09:50so I brought you a cup.
09:51I walked over,
09:52but before I could
09:53even touch the cup,
09:54she flipped her wrist.
09:56Smash.
09:57It hit the floor,
09:58and cocoa splashed
09:59all over my pants.
10:03Marco was a few steps
10:04behind me.
10:05He rounded the corner
10:06just in time
10:07to see the whole thing.
10:08He frowned
10:09and rushed over.
10:11What happened?
10:12Gia covered the back
10:13of her hand
10:14and started whippering.
10:15Marco,
10:15don't be mad at her.
10:16It was my fault.
10:17I dropped it.
10:18Sophia didn't push me.
10:19Before she even
10:20finished the sentence,
10:21the tears started
10:22pouring down.
10:23I looked down
10:23at my soaked pants,
10:24then back at her hand.
10:25There wasn't even
10:26a red mark on it.
10:27Sophia,
10:28did you hear what she said?
10:29She's totally baiting
10:30Marco into think you did.
10:31Start crying.
10:31You've had it way worse
10:32than her.
10:33If you turn on the waterworks,
10:34he'll take deny it.
10:34If you stay quiet,
10:35it's like you're admitting it.
10:36Marco stared at me,
10:38and I just looked
10:38right back at him,
10:40totally calm.
10:41A heavy silence
10:42filled the hallway.
10:45I shook the chocolate
10:46off my pant leg
10:47and looked up.
10:53That cocoa was pretty hot,
10:54Gia.
10:55Is your hand okay?
11:01Come here,
11:01let's get some cold water
11:02on that.
11:03I just nodded
11:04and leaned against the wall,
11:05keeping my mouth shut.
11:09Gia looked stunned.
11:10It was like she'd
11:11swung a punch
11:12and hit thin air.
11:13She even forgot
11:14to keep crying.
11:15The water ran for a bit,
11:17and I heard Marco
11:18scolding Gia
11:18in a low voice.
11:20Gia,
11:20Sophia was out
11:21looking at schools today,
11:22and she still remembered
11:23to get you a gift.
11:25She doesn't hate you.
11:27Stop with these little games.
11:29The family isn't
11:30going to dump you.
11:32He came out of the bathroom
11:33and walked over,
11:35reaching down
11:36to check my leg.
11:40You didn't get burned,
11:42did you?
11:42I stepped back,
11:44dodging his hand.
11:45Marco's lips
11:46thinned into a hard line.
11:50That night,
11:51I went to Dad's study
11:52and told him
11:53I wanted to go
11:53to a different school.
11:54Dad already knew
11:55about what happened
11:56this afternoon.
11:57He probably figured
11:58I just didn't want
11:59to be classmates
12:00with Gia.
12:03He sighed
12:04and slid a folder
12:05across the desk
12:06from his drawer.
12:08I flipped through it.
12:09It was a stock
12:10transfer agreement.
12:12Fifteen percent
12:12of one of the family's
12:13legit subchirators.
12:15It was worth a fortune.
12:17Don't feel like
12:17you have to sign it
12:18right away.
12:19Just look it over.
12:20I know you've been
12:21through hell,
12:22and no amount of money
12:23can make up
12:23for those years.
12:24He kept clicking
12:25his pen cap on and off,
12:26his voice dropping.
12:28But I promise you,
12:29from now on,
12:29nobody's gonna mess
12:31with you.
12:31I stared at him
12:32for a few seconds,
12:33then tucked
12:34the agreement away.
12:38Thanks, Dad.
12:39Looked relieved
12:40and asked about
12:41the school again.
12:43I told him
12:44I wanted to go
12:44to university.
12:46It was further away,
12:47but the academics
12:48were better.
12:50Dad didn't even hesitate.
12:52He picked up the phone
12:53to make it happen.
12:54For the next few days,
12:56I was out from dawn
12:57till dusk.
12:58I was perfectly
12:59polite to the Lombardos,
13:00but I kept them
13:01at arm's length.
13:02I wasn't letting anyone in.
13:04They seemed to be
13:05getting desperate,
13:06sending gift after gift
13:07to my room.
13:07I could see the hatred
13:08in Gia's eyes
13:09getting worse every day.
13:11I just ignored her
13:12and shut my door.
13:16Gia recovered
13:17for a few days
13:18and then insisted
13:19on going back to school,
13:20even though Mom
13:21told her to stay home.
13:24Around ten in the morning,
13:26Mom called me.
13:28She sounded like
13:29she was panicking.
13:31Sophia,
13:32something happened
13:32to Gia.
13:33Our guys caught
13:34the people who did it.
13:35You need to get down here.
13:37I hung up,
13:38a bit surprised.
13:39I didn't think
13:40Gia would be this reckless
13:41this time around.
13:42The A.C.
13:42in the school lounge
13:43was blasting.
13:44Gia was sitting on a bench,
13:46wrapped in a teacher's coat.
13:47Her school uniform collar
13:48was ripped wide open.
13:49She was curled up
13:50with her knees
13:51to her chest
13:52and you could see
13:52some faint red marks
13:53on her shoulders.
13:54The second my parents
13:55walked in,
13:56the waterworks started.
14:00Mom!
14:05Her voice was shaking
14:06like crazy.
14:07Mom rushed over
14:08to hug her
14:08while Dad glared
14:09at the guys
14:10holding the thugs.
14:11The family associate
14:12in charge stepped up
14:13and gave us the rundown
14:14of the interrogation.
14:15These punks talked.
14:17They're low-level thugs
14:18from a rival family.
14:19Someone paid them
14:20to jump Gia at the gate.
14:22He glanced at me.
14:23They're saying
14:24Sophia was the one
14:25who set it up.
14:28Mom,
14:29don't be mad at her.
14:30She probably just
14:31snapped.
14:32She's been through so much.
14:33It makes sense
14:34she'd be bitter.
14:36It's over.
14:37It's over.
14:38It's over!
14:41Sophia,
14:41tell them you didn't do it!
14:42Demand to call the cops!
14:44You gotta stand your ground now!
14:45In my last life,
14:47Gia used this exact same move
14:48to frame.
14:50I didn't even get a chance
14:51to defend myself
14:52before I got slapped.
14:55I cried and screamed
14:56that I was innocent,
14:57even begged them
14:58to call the police.
14:59But nobody believed me.
15:01And because I wanted
15:02to bring the FBI
15:03into family business,
15:04they labeled me a traitor
15:05who only cared about herself
15:07and didn't understand
15:08how the underworld worked.
15:09Instead of backing me up,
15:11my parents called me
15:12a monster
15:13and cut me off.
15:15But this time,
15:16Mom looked at me,
15:17almost pleading,
15:18Sophia.
15:19She knew I hadn't even
15:21been near that school.
15:22I hadn't even finished
15:23my paperwork yet.
15:24But she was still terrified
15:25of this blowing up
15:26and becoming a huge
15:27family scandal.
15:28Unlike Gia,
15:30when it came down to it,
15:31I was always the one
15:32they were willing
15:33to throw under the bus.
15:34I looked her in the eye.
15:35She opened her mouth
15:36but couldn't find the words.
15:38I gave them exactly
15:39what they wanted.
15:40I looked at Gia
15:40and said,
15:42Gia,
15:43let's just go home.
15:45I'm willing to act
15:46like this never happened.
15:47Dad gave me a look
15:48that was half relieved,
15:50half guilty.
15:51Gia was still sobbing,
15:52her shoulders shaking.
15:54She clearly didn't
15:55expect me to say that.
15:56It took her a second
15:57to process it.
15:59Sophia,
15:59I don't blame you.
16:01I really don't.
16:02Let's just drop it.
16:03I know you hate me
16:04for stealing your life.
16:07If doing this
16:08makes you feel better,
16:09then I'll just take it.
16:11Marco's brow front.
16:12He reached out
16:12and nudged Gia,
16:13trying to get her
16:14to stop talking.
16:15Gia couldn't wrap her head
16:15around why they weren't
16:16on her side.
16:17She frantically pointed
16:18at the thugs
16:19cowering in the corner,
16:20tears hitting the floor.
16:22Do you think I'm lying?
16:24I'm a girl!
16:26I know what happens
16:27when you air dirty laundry!
16:28She's the only one
16:29who'd be reckless enough
16:30to hire outsiders
16:31to jump me
16:32because she's not one of us!
16:33Hearing the exact same lines
16:34as last time,
16:35I almost wanted to laugh.
16:37I already said
16:37I wouldn't press the issue,
16:38but you guys
16:39won't even believe me!
16:40You can't play favorites
16:42this hard
16:42just because Sophia
16:43is the biological daughter!
16:44The second she said that,
16:46Dad, Mom, and Marco
16:47all looked like
16:48they'd been slapped.
16:48That biological comment
16:50really hit a nerve.
16:51It finally clicked for them.
16:53They'd been playing favorites
16:54with the daughter
16:55of their enemy
16:55this whole time,
16:56constantly screwing over
16:58their own flesh and blood.
16:59Dad wasn't gonna
16:59sugarcoat it anymore.
17:01He said coldly,
17:02Gia, Sophia hasn't even
17:03set foot near your school
17:05all month.
17:08Gia's sobbing
17:09cut off instantly
17:09like someone
17:10flipped a switch.
17:11With tears still on her face,
17:13her eyes darted around.
17:14Her lips trembled
17:15for a good while
17:16before she managed
17:17to choke out.
17:17Then, then she must have,
17:19she must have paid
17:20someone to do it!
17:21Marco cut her off.
17:22Enough.
17:23Sophia only went to that school
17:24once to check it out
17:25and I was with her.
17:26She's been home
17:27the rest of the time.
17:28There's no way
17:28she's been talking
17:29to other families.
17:33Gia's mouth hung open
17:34but she couldn't find
17:35a single word to say.
17:38Mom and Dad
17:39traded a look,
17:40their eyes full of
17:41nothing but exhaustion
17:42and disappointment.
17:43I just stood
17:44a few feet away,
17:45not saying a word
17:46in my own defense
17:47the entire time.
17:48Once everyone
17:49went quiet,
17:50I slowly walked up
17:51to Gia.
17:52Gia,
17:53when I said
17:54I'm letting this go,
17:55I meant it.
17:56I leaned down,
17:58looking her straight
17:58in her teary eyes.
18:00You're my sister.
18:01I'm not trying
18:02to take anything
18:03from you.
18:04Gia's shoulders
18:05were still shaking
18:06but this time
18:07it wasn't an act.
18:08She looked at my
18:09calm face
18:10like she'd just
18:10seen a ghost.
18:12On the way back,
18:13Marco drove with Mom
18:14in the passenger seat.
18:16Dad,
18:16Gia,
18:17and I were in the back.
18:18Gia leaned against
18:19the window,
18:19faking sleep.
18:20I looked down
18:21at my phone.
18:22A text popped up
18:23from the bank.
18:25Dad just wired me
18:26five million.
18:27I deleted the text
18:28and locked my screen.
18:33I knew exactly
18:34what this was.
18:36Hush money
18:37to sweep it
18:37under the rug.
18:39They knew Gia
18:40had teamed up
18:41with our rivals.
18:42By family rules,
18:44she should have
18:44been dealt with.
18:45Just like how
18:46they showed me
18:46no mercy
18:47in my last life.
18:48But after 18 years,
18:50no matter how pissed
18:51they were,
18:52they couldn't bring
18:52themselves to actually
18:53hurt her.
18:56Gia was grounded
18:57for a few days
18:58and then she was
18:59back in the game.
19:03The morning
19:03she was free,
19:04I went down
19:05for breakfast
19:05and she was already
19:06sitting with
19:07perfect poise.
19:11She was wearing
19:11a light pink dress,
19:13hair braided perfectly.
19:14She gave me
19:15this big smile
19:16that looked as fake
19:17as polished porcelain.
19:20Morning, Sophia.
19:21I fixed you
19:21some oatmeal.
19:22Try it.
19:22I had the kitchen
19:23add honey and walnuts.
19:24She slid the bowl over.
19:25The spoon lined up
19:26perfectly on the edge
19:27of the saucer.
19:28Thanks.
19:29I sat across from her,
19:30said thanks,
19:31and started eating.
19:33Mom walked out
19:34with her coffee
19:34and froze for a second
19:36when she saw us
19:36eating together.
19:37Her eyes started
19:38getting misty.
19:42I'm just so glad
19:43you two are getting along.
19:45This is all I wanted.
19:47Gia looked up.
19:48Her eyes welling up, too.
19:50Don't worry, Mom.
19:51I'll get along
19:52with Sophia from now on.
19:54I was so immature before,
19:56but Sophia forgave me,
19:58so I won't let her down.
20:02She sounded so sincere,
20:04with that little tear
20:05hanging off her lash.
20:07Total performance.
20:09The comments
20:10started strailing again.
20:12Sophia, don't fall for it.
20:14I've seen this
20:14pick-me act a thousand times.
20:16Don't touch that oatmeal.
20:17Mother?
20:18Who knows if she spiked it.
20:19I can't stand this bitch.
20:21Sophia, call her out
20:22before she brainwashes
20:23your family again.
20:25I finished the bowl,
20:27put it down,
20:27and just nodded at her.
20:29It's great.
20:29Gia's smile widened,
20:31but her eyes were dead cold.
20:35Gia actually kept her head down
20:36for the next few days.
20:37I was out all day,
20:39but whenever I saw her
20:40in the living room,
20:41she was either reading
20:42or giving Mom a shoulder rub.
20:44She was playing
20:45the perfect daughter
20:45to a T.
20:47Mom clearly softened up.
20:49She started talking to Gia
20:51with that same old
20:51motherly tone again.
20:53Marco stopped giving her
20:54the cold shoulder, too.
20:56He'd even grab her a coffee
20:57when he came home.
20:57Dad was distant at first,
20:59but after two weeks
21:00of Gia playing
21:01the devoted daughter,
21:02he finally started
21:04to thaw out.
21:06Watching them go back
21:07to their old ways
21:07didn't surprise me at all.
21:09You don't just trash
21:1018 years of history
21:11over one incident.
21:12Except this time,
21:14there was a line in the sand.
21:15Everyone knew
21:16I was the real bloodline.
21:17No matter how much
21:18Gia sucked up to them,
21:19she couldn't cross that line.
21:23I got home from school
21:24that night and saw
21:25Grandma Aletha
21:26sitting in the head chair.
21:27Her cane was across her lap
21:28and she looked pissed.
21:30Dad, Mom, and Marco
21:32were sitting across from her.
21:33Gia was standing by the sofa,
21:34nervously fitting
21:35with her dress.
21:36I changed my shoes,
21:37walked over, and said,
21:39Hey, Grandma.
21:40Grandma looked up
21:41and gestured for me
21:42to sit next to her.
21:43Sophia, honey,
21:44come sit with me.
21:46I sat down
21:47and she patted my hand
21:48before turning to Dad.
21:49I'm here today
21:50to make one thing
21:51very clear.
21:52Dad straightened up.
21:53Go ahead, Mother.
21:54Grandma took a sip of tea
21:55and said Kamu.
21:57Gia teamed up with
21:58some street thugs
21:59to frame Sophia at school.
22:00You guys really think
22:01you can just sweep that
22:02under the rug?
22:03Dad bit his lip.
22:05Mom, Gia knows she messed up.
22:07She promised it won't happen again.
22:09That's it?
22:10Grandma slammed her teacup down.
22:11The clink against the marble
22:13was loud as hell.
22:14You think an apology
22:15fixes this?
22:16She slandered
22:17the legitimate heir.
22:18The streets are already talking.
22:19Everyone thinks this family
22:20is falling apart
22:21from the inside.
22:22Once our enemies
22:23hear this crap,
22:24they'll use it
22:25to gut us.
22:27You want to make
22:28the Lombardos
22:28a laughing stock?
22:29You're basically
22:30handing our rivals
22:31a win on a silver plider.
22:33Gia turned pale.
22:35Grandma,
22:36I already apologized.
22:37Shut up!
22:37Grandma didn't even
22:38look at her.
22:39She just stared at Dad.
22:40You know the rules
22:41better than anyone.
22:41I have one demand.
22:43Gia is stripped
22:44of every cent
22:45of her inheritance.
22:47She gets nothing.
22:48Dad stayed quiet.
22:49Mom looked heartbroken.
22:50She tugged on Grandma's sleeve
22:51and whispered,
22:52Mom, please.
22:53Grandma brushed her off.
22:54She'd clearly
22:54made up her mind.
22:55Gia's face went
22:56totally gray.
22:57She whipped her head around
22:58and glared at me
22:58with pure hatred.
22:59I didn't say a word.
23:00The comments had been
23:01begging me to snitch
23:02to Grandma,
23:03telling me she's
23:03the real boss of the family.
23:04I ignored them.
23:05Every time Grandma
23:06asked how I was doing,
23:07I just told her
23:07everything was fine.
23:09Gia took my silence
23:10as a yes
23:11and lunged at me.
23:12Grandma raised a hand
23:13and her guys
23:14blocked Gia immediately.
23:15Grandma glared
23:16at my parents.
23:17Look at her!
23:17I'm sitting right here
23:18and she's already
23:19starting a fight!
23:20Grandma scoffed
23:21and looked at Gia.
23:22You think I needed
23:22Sophia to tell me
23:23what you did?
23:24My guys on the street
23:25reported this to me
23:26the second it happened.
23:28Our dirty laundry
23:29is being aired
23:30by low-level thugs!
23:31You're making me
23:32look like a damn joke!
23:35Gia's lips were trembling,
23:36her face going from pale
23:37to straight-up ghostly.
23:39Sophia hasn't said
23:39a single bad word
23:40about you to me.
23:42You're just petty.
23:43You're the one
23:44trashing this family's reputation,
23:45so don't you dare
23:46try to pin your BS
23:47on anyone else!
23:48Gia just stood there.
23:49For the first time,
23:50she couldn't even
23:51squeeze out a tear.
23:52The living room
23:53went dead silent
23:53for a second.
23:55Mom's lips moved
23:56like she wanted
23:56to say something,
23:57but she kept her mouth shut.
23:58Dad was quiet
23:59for a long time
24:00before finally nodding.
24:01Fine.
24:02We'll do it your way,
24:02Mother.
24:04For the next few days,
24:06Grandma Alara stayed with us
24:07instead of heading back
24:08to the old estate.
24:09Gia was being
24:09way too quiet.
24:11She stopped the whole
24:11perfect sister act,
24:12no more oatmeal,
24:13no more tea.
24:14She basically lived
24:15in her room,
24:15only coming down
24:16for meals.
24:17When she did,
24:17she'd keep her head down
24:18and scurry along the walls
24:19like a ghost.
24:20But the comments
24:20were starting to lose it.
24:22Sophia, watch your back.
24:23Something is seriously off.
24:25She's been low-key
24:25talking to her real dad,
24:26Miller.
24:27Exactly.
24:28She's planning to take out
24:29both your dad and grandma
24:30while they're on the way
24:30back to the estate.
24:32Sophia, go snitch on her.
24:33Do it before she pulls it off.
24:34Grandma is the only one
24:35on your side.
24:36If you wait,
24:36it's game over.
24:38I leaned against my head barred,
24:40locked my phone,
24:41and rolled over.
24:43In my last life,
24:44I listened to the comments
24:45and tried to rat her out
24:46to my parents.
24:47But Gia and Miller
24:48had faked the evidence.
24:49She flipped the script on me,
24:51claiming I was the mastermind.
24:52I mean, how else would I know
24:53every single detail of the hit?
24:55Dad went off on me
24:56in front of everyone,
24:57demanding to know
24:57how I could possibly know
24:58the exact plan
24:59if I wasn't the one
25:00calling the shots.
25:00The comments told me everything,
25:02but who's going to believe that?
25:03In a mafia family,
25:04making baseless accusations
25:05against your own kin
25:06is a massive deal.
25:07I couldn't defend myself.
25:09Grandma was so heartbroken
25:10that her real granddaughter
25:11was such a mess
25:12that she fainted right there
25:13and never woke up.
25:14I closed my eyes.
25:15This time,
25:16I'm saving Grandma,
25:17no matter what.
25:18As for Dad,
25:19well, let's see how lucky he is.
25:21When I went down for breakfast,
25:22Gia was just sitting there
25:23staring at her oatmeal.
25:24She hadn't touched a bite.
25:25She glanced at me
25:26for a split second,
25:26then looked back down.
25:27I sat across from her
25:28like nothing was wrong,
25:30asked the butler
25:30for some oatmeal,
25:31and finished it slowly.
25:33Grandma was supposed
25:33to head back
25:34to the estate today.
25:35Right before they left,
25:36I grabbed Grandma's hand.
25:37Grandma, don't go yet.
25:39I really want you
25:40to stay a few more days.
25:42All right.
25:43I'm not ready
25:44to leave you either.
25:46Dad just shrugged
25:47and headed out
25:48to the car alone.
25:50Not long after,
25:51the calls started coming in.
25:53The family's guys
25:53on the street
25:54said Don Vincent
25:56had been in a wreck
25:56and was being rushed
25:58to the private clinic
25:59on the estate.
26:01Mom was a total wreck,
26:04sopping by his bed
26:05like she was about
26:06to pass out.
26:08Dad was pale
26:09as a sheet from the pain,
26:11but he still managed
26:12to pat Mom's hand.
26:13It's okay.
26:14Thank God Sophia
26:15kept Mom at the house.
26:16She's too old
26:17for something like this.
26:19Dad choked up
26:20and couldn't finish
26:21the sentence.
26:23Marco was standing
26:24by the door,
26:25his knuckles white
26:26from clenching his fists
26:27so hard.
26:28That truck hit him
26:29on purpose.
26:30He said coldly.
26:32Our guys checked the cams.
26:33The driver ditched
26:34the truck and bolted.
26:35The plates were fakes.
26:36Dad closed his eyes.
26:38Dig them.
26:39The family's investigators
26:41and street crews
26:41only needed three days
26:43to track everything down.
26:44They caught the driver
26:45in some crappy apartment
26:46on the edge of town.
26:49After less than two hours
26:50in the hot seat,
26:51he sang like a canary
26:52and gave up the person
26:54behind it all.
26:55Miller,
26:55Gia's real father.
26:56When they grabbed Miller,
26:57he had five million
26:58in cash on him,
27:00ready to skip town.
27:01Gia had wired him
27:02the money
27:02in three separate payments.
27:04They had everything.
27:05The wire receipts,
27:06the wire taps,
27:07and the driver's confession.
27:08The case was airtight.
27:10The family's guys
27:11laid all the evidence
27:12out on the coffee table.
27:13Mom looked like
27:13she'd seen a ghost.
27:15She looked at Gia,
27:17her lips trembling,
27:18and finally managed
27:19to choke out a question.
27:20Gia, why?
27:21Why would you do this?
27:23Gia was pinned to the sofa
27:24by two bodyguards.
27:26Her hair was a mess,
27:27and her face was totally blank.
27:29When Mom asked,
27:30she suddenly started laughing,
27:32the kind of laugh
27:33that makes your shoulders shake.
27:34Why?
27:35You're seriously asking me why?
27:37You guys are the ones
27:38who took everything from me!
27:40She snapped her head up,
27:41her eyes bloodshot,
27:42her voice screeching
27:42like nails on a chalkboard.
27:44Ever since she got back,
27:45it's been all about her.
27:46Mom,
27:47you won't even let me
27:47touch you anymore!
27:49Dad,
27:49you won't even look at me!
27:50Marco,
27:51you used to have my back,
27:51and now,
27:52now you're telling me
27:53to grow up!
27:54She pointed at me,
27:55her nail practically
27:56poking my eye out.
27:58And Grandma,
27:59I spent years
28:00sucking up to all of you,
28:01but the second she shows up,
28:03she strips my inheritance?
28:04You guys owe me!
28:06I was a Lombardi
28:07for 18 years.
28:09Why should I be the one
28:10kicked out
28:10just because she's back?
28:12Mom covered her mouth,
28:13tears just streaming
28:14down her face.
28:15Marco stood by the door.
28:16his hands clenching
28:17and unclexing.
28:19Finally,
28:19he managed to grit out.
28:20And Dad?
28:21What did he ever do to you?
28:23After everything he gave you,
28:24you actually tried to whack him?
28:26Gia's laughing stopped.
28:28She looked at Marco,
28:29then whipped her head
28:29toward me.
28:30You knew,
28:31didn't you?
28:32She glared at me
28:33with pure spite.
28:34You're the one
28:34who wanted Dad dead,
28:35right?
28:36It said you'd listen.
28:37Why didn't you snip on me?
28:38She stopped mid-sentence,
28:40her people shrinking.
28:41It was like something
28:42in her head
28:42just exploded.
28:43She grabbed her hair
28:44and screamed.
28:47You have one too,
28:48don't you?
28:49She lunged at me,
28:49but the guards
28:50tackled her
28:51and held her down.
28:52You have that thing too!
28:53I know you do!
28:55Why didn't you listen to it?
28:57Why?
28:58She was trashing
28:59and screaming,
29:00a total mess
29:01of snot and tears.
29:02I didn't move.
29:03I just stood there,
29:04looking at her calmly
29:05over the guards' shoulders.
29:06The second she screamed that,
29:08the comments went dead silent.
29:09It was like someone
29:10hit the pause button.
29:11The lines of text
29:13just froze in mid-air,
29:14then shattered one by one,
29:16turning into ash
29:16and vanishing.
29:17I blinked.
29:18My vision was finally clear.
29:19Gia was still screaming
29:20as they dragged her out.
29:21Do over!
29:22I want to do over!
29:23Let me do it again!
29:25Do over!
29:25I want to do over!
29:27Let me-
29:27Her voice echoed down the hallway
29:28for a long time.
29:30Don Vincent was lying
29:31in his hospital bed,
29:32looking like he'd aged
29:33ten years overnight.
29:34He was quiet for a long time
29:35before finally speaking.
29:37Call everyone.
29:38We're having a family sit-down.
29:40This is family business,
29:41and we're settling it internally.
29:43Mom held Dad's hand,
29:45tears streaming down her face,
29:46but she didn't try to stop him.
29:48I thought back to my last life.
29:50Back then,
29:51I was the one crying
29:53and begging them,
29:54call the cops
29:54and let the law handle it.
29:55But in this world,
29:57snitching to the FDs
29:58about family drama
29:59is the ultimate sin.
30:00It breaks the code of silence.
30:02Back then,
30:03they knew I was the victim,
30:04but they were so scared
30:06of Gia getting hurt
30:06that they refused
30:07to use the family's
30:08street justice
30:09to protect me.
30:10This time, though,
30:11the evidence was airtight,
30:13and since they were the ones
30:14who almost got killed,
30:16nobody was lining up
30:16to cover for her.
30:18Grandma Alara,
30:19as the head of the family,
30:20ran the whole sit-down.
30:22Miller,
30:23Gia's real dad,
30:24had been hired
30:25to take out the Don.
30:27That's a death sentence
30:28in the Lombardo family.
30:29He was ordered
30:30to be cleared out
30:30on the spot.
30:32When it came to Gia,
30:34everyone spent a long time
30:35weighing the options.
30:36The final verdict,
30:37Gia was exiled
30:38to Italy for good.
30:39She was stripped
30:40of all family privileges,
30:41her money,
30:41and her inheritance.
30:42She was banned
30:43from ever setting foot
30:44in the U.S. again
30:45and forbidden
30:45from contacting anyone
30:46in the family.
30:47The official story
30:48was already set.
30:49Gia had a massive
30:50mental breakdown
30:51and was sent
30:51to a private rehab center
30:53in Italy
30:53for long-term care.
30:55It was the exact same ending
30:56I had in my last life.
30:58The day the hearing ended,
30:59I went to the side gate
31:00of the estate.
31:02Gia was being watched
31:03by two guards
31:03waiting to get into the car
31:05that would take her
31:05to the docks.
31:06In just a few days,
31:08she'd become a skeleton
31:09of her former self.
31:10Her hair was a mess
31:12and that perfect princess look
31:14was long gone.
31:15She turned and saw me,
31:16her lips moving.
31:17I couldn't hear her,
31:18but I recognized
31:19the mouth movements.
31:20She was saying,
31:22do over.
31:22Next time,
31:23I win.
31:24I just turned around
31:26and walked away,
31:27stone-faced.
31:28I finished my last semester
31:29at St. Jude's,
31:30got my credits done,
31:31and applied to colleges.
31:33I ended up getting
31:34into a school
31:35down in South Florida.
31:37Right before the semester
31:38to Larding,
31:39Grandma Elira called me.
31:40Sophia,
31:41are you really sure
31:42about moving
31:43all the way south
31:43for school?
31:45I held the phone
31:46and paused.
31:47Grandma,
31:47how are you feeling?
31:48Is your health okay?
31:49Oh, I'm fine.
31:50Don't worry about me.
31:52Your parents,
31:53they really messed up
31:55and I know
31:55you've been through a lot.
31:57Her voice was a bit raspy.
31:59Make sure you eat well
32:00down there.
32:01And if you're ever
32:02short on cash,
32:03you tell me, okay?
32:05I told her I would.
32:07After I hung up,
32:08I put my phone
32:09on the table
32:10and looked out
32:11at the Florida sky.
32:12The sky was so blue,
32:14the clouds so white,
32:15the Lombardo mansion,
32:16which always felt
32:17suffocating
32:18and full of schemes.
32:20During my four years
32:21of college,
32:22I barely ever
32:22went back north.
32:24For Christmas
32:25or holidays,
32:26I'd just send
32:27a short,
32:28polite text.
32:29I didn't share
32:30anything personal.
32:31My parents called
32:32a few times,
32:33dropping hints
32:33that they wanted me
32:34to move back home.
32:35I just told them
32:35I was busy with school
32:36or had an internship.
32:37They tried a few more times,
32:38but eventually,
32:39they stopped pushing.
32:40Marco added me
32:41on social media
32:42and would occasionally
32:42send pictures of the estate,
32:44flowers in the garden,
32:45or grandma soaking up
32:46the sun in the yard.
32:47I'd look at them
32:48and just reply
32:48with an emoji.
32:49I didn't have much to say.
32:52One Christmas break,
32:53Mom flew down to Florida
32:54by herself to see me.
32:56She'd lost a lot of weight
32:57and had new wrinkles
32:58around her eyes.
32:59She sat in a coffee shop
33:00near campus,
33:01clutching a hot Americano,
33:02not saying a word
33:03for the longest time.
33:05Finally,
33:05she took my hand,
33:06her thumb brushing
33:07over the old scars
33:08on my wrist.
33:09Her eyes started
33:10to well up.
33:11Sophia,
33:11I'm so sorry
33:12for everything.
33:13I just looked at her
33:14and gave a small smile.
33:16Mom,
33:16it's in the past.
33:19She started crying
33:20and tried to say
33:21something else,
33:21but I cut her off.
33:22I'm doing really well now.
33:23You don't have to worry
33:24about me.
33:25When I dropped her off
33:26at the airport,
33:27she kept looking back
33:28at me at the security gate.
33:30Finally,
33:30she just waved
33:31and walked away.
33:32I stood by the window
33:33watching her go,
33:34feeling nothing,
33:35really.
33:35I couldn't bring myself
33:36to forgive
33:36to fix the relationship.
33:38Every time I saw them,
33:39all the abuse
33:39from the slums
33:40and the drama
33:40at the mansion
33:41would just come flooding back.
33:42I didn't want to spend
33:43the rest of my life
33:44stuck in that toxic cycle.
33:45That chapter was
33:46closed.
33:47The dividends
33:47from my shares
33:48in the family business
33:49were more than enough
33:50to keep me set for life.
33:51After the hit
33:52Gia put out
33:52and that brutal car wreck,
33:54Don Vincent's health
33:54was permanently trashed.
33:56Grandma Alada
33:56kept a tight grip
33:57on the family's power
33:58as the consulier.
33:59My parents kept their titles,
34:00but they had zero say
34:01in family business anymore.
34:03They spent their days
34:03eaten up by guilt.
34:04That was the price
34:05they had to pay.
34:06Grandma wanted to hand
34:07the consulier seat
34:07directly to me,
34:08but I chose to stay
34:09in the South
34:10and found a job
34:10I actually liked.
34:11It's pretty chill.
34:12On weekends,
34:13I hit the beach
34:14or just work on my hobbies.
34:15Grandma Alara
34:16passed away
34:17during the winter
34:17of my third year
34:18after graduation.
34:19She went peacefully
34:20in her sleep.
34:21I went back
34:22for the funeral.
34:25Standing there,
34:26looking at her smile
34:26in that black and white photo,
34:28I placed a hand
34:29on the casket.
34:32Mom was standing
34:33next to me,
34:34clutching my hand,
34:35so hysterical
34:36she could barely stand.
34:37I held her up.
34:39After the service,
34:41Marco pulled me aside
34:42to a quiet hallway
34:43and took a manly envelope
34:45out of his jacket.
34:47Grandma left this for you.
34:52I opened it.
34:54Inside was a bank card,
34:56a note in her shaky handwriting,
34:57and a formal family document
34:58notarized by the lawyers.
35:00The note said,
35:01Sophia, live your life well,
35:02protect the bloodline,
35:03protect the Lombardos.
35:05The senior assistant seat,
35:06the consigliere position,
35:07was officially mine.
35:08This power skipped
35:09right over my dad,
35:10whose reputation was shot
35:11after the accident,
35:12and even over Marco.
35:13In the Lombardi family,
35:14the advisor has massive pull.
35:16They're the ones
35:16who keep the boss in check.
35:17I folded the note carefully
35:19and tucked it
35:19into my inner pocket.
35:20The card and the document
35:22went straight into my wallet.
35:24Marco looked at me.
35:25Stay for a few days, okay?
35:27Mom and Dad really miss you,
35:28and I missed you too.
35:31I'm good.
35:33I've got work waiting
35:33for me back in Florida.
35:35Marco looked like
35:36he wanted to say
35:36a million things,
35:37but all he could
35:38manage was heavy.
35:39Okay.
35:41That was the last time
35:42I ever set foot
35:43in the Lombardi estate.
35:44From then on,
35:45I handled my role
35:46as the family's consigliere
35:47from a distance.
35:48I dealt with the big sit-downs
35:50and key business
35:51through private couriers
35:52and encrypted chats,
35:53but I never moved back
35:54to that house.
35:56My parents and Marco
35:57tried to use family business
35:58as an excuse to get close
36:00and make up for the past,
36:01but I shut that down
36:02every single time
36:03without making a scene.
36:05Every now and then,
36:06Mom would text me a photo
36:08or a quick message.
36:10I'd see them
36:11and maybe
36:11send a short reply back.
36:14We kept things civil
36:15but distant
36:16like there was a whole river
36:17between us.
36:18And honestly,
36:19I was doing great.
36:20Without those annoying
36:21floating comments
36:22telling me what to do,
36:23I didn't have to put on
36:25an act for anyone anymore.
36:26Florida winters
36:27are a breeze.
36:28I've got a few plants
36:30on my balcony
36:30that I water every day,
36:32just watching them grow.
36:34One evening,
36:35I got home from work
36:36and the sunset
36:36was hitting the leaves
36:38just right,
36:39giving them this golden glow.
36:40I stood there for a second
36:42and thought back
36:43to that south-facing window
36:44on the second floor
36:45of the old mansion.
36:46The sun used to look
36:47just like that.
36:49But back then,
36:50I wasn't in the mood
36:51to appreciate it.
36:56I went back inside,
36:58put the watering can down
36:59and closed the balcony door.
37:01I made some pasta
37:02and ate it slowly
37:03at the table.
37:07Outside,
37:07the sky went dark
37:08and the stars came out.
37:09Then I turned off the lights
37:10and went to bed.
37:12No dreams,
37:13just peace.