- 2 days ago
Dumped by the Don, Crowned by the Mob
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The night before our 17th wedding attempt, my mafia husband, Raphael Holloway, looks at me and promises an uninterrupted wedding.
00:08Gianna, I promise you. I told Natalia that even if this guy falls, she'll deal with it alone.
00:12He solemnly swears.
00:14I am five months pregnant by then.
00:16After three years of dating and five months carrying his child, we've never managed to make it down the aisle,
00:22because he has cancelled the past 16 weddings.
00:25Every single time, it is for his sword sister, Natalia Sullivan.
00:29The first time, I waited at the hospital in my wedding dress all night.
00:37It turned out she only had a mild cold.
00:40The second time, my chest hurts.
00:45But when I finally got there, I saw her laughing over afternoon tea with her friends.
00:51Oh, you want cake too?
00:53The third time, Raphael, I am scared.
00:56She's terrified. I must go.
00:59Leaving me standing there, humiliated in front of all the guests.
01:02But everything's different now.
01:04Three days ago, a letter arrived from northern Silenzio.
01:08My father, the Don of the Rossetti family, has finally summoned me home.
01:13Gianna, my daughter.
01:14The Rossetti family has become the laughing stock of the entire north.
01:18You carry my blood in your veins.
01:20The Rossetti family is your true and final home.
01:22Come back.
01:23Your father, Don of the Rossetti family.
01:26If Raphael walks away from Natalia one more time, I'll leave for guaranteed.
01:36This was the 17th wedding with my fiancée, Raphael Holloway.
01:40For every one of the previous 16, he left me standing alone at the altar for his fragile sworn sister,
01:45Natalia Sullivan.
01:46I walked down the aisle, holding his arm when the baby in my womb gave a sharp kick.
01:52Our baby's been waiting for this day too.
01:54He whispered and squeezed my hand with a smile.
01:57When the priest began the vows, all eyes in the chapel turned toward us.
02:01Sorry, sir.
02:02Miss Natalia has been admitted to the hospital.
02:03That was when his phone rang with call.
02:05It was from Natalia again.
02:07Raphael's expression went stone cold, and his grip tightened subconsciously.
02:12Don't answer it, Raphael.
02:14My eyes were locked on him.
02:15A torn look swirled in his eyes.
02:17I was about to breathe out in relief when the second call arrived.
02:24Gianna, maybe it's an emergency.
02:25She never calls this much.
02:27He muttered, trying to free his hand from my grasp.
02:30But I held on and reminded him.
02:32Our baby is waiting to hear his father say I do.
02:37She's Antonio's only daughter!
02:40His eyes widened at the words.
02:42Then he tore his hand free, as if my touch burned him.
02:45I wasn't surprised to hear that line again.
02:47Antonio Sullivan, his father's right-hand man, had died taking a bullet for him.
02:53Before his death, his final words,
02:56Take care of Natalia, ruined my life.
02:59She took sleeping pills!
03:03Again?
03:05Last month, she took pills, too, and the nurses discovered that the bottle was never opened.
03:12Gianna!
03:13He entrusted his daughter to you for protection!
03:20He never gave you a knife to stab into my back!
03:24Look around you!
03:25Our family, men, and unborn baby are all waiting for you to say I do!
03:34Raphael, help me!
03:43Raphael!
03:45He left again.
03:53That was such a familiar line and excuse he'd given on our 16th wedding cancellation.
03:58Raphael!
04:00My voice echoed through the hall, but he turned, looking more final than the last 16th turn.
04:06Whispers rippled among the guests.
04:08Some scoffed, some pitied me, and most shook their heads as if they weren't surprised.
04:12They wouldn't be because the first wedding had ended the same way.
04:15Natalia had suddenly collapsed, and Raphael had rushed her to the hospital.
04:22I chased him to the hospital in my wedding gown, only to see her lying pale in bed and
04:26clutching his sleeve.
04:27When she saw me, her eyes flashed triumphantly.
04:30Raphael never saw the mocking smile she flashed while hiding behind his shoulder.
04:34Our fifth wedding had been an intimate garden ceremony.
04:37I'd waited all day in a simple dress for my fiancé, who never arrived, while the elders
04:42sneered behind my back.
04:45Can't even secure her own wedding.
04:47The cunning owners of Southern Silenzio had never hidden their contempt for me, a Northern
04:51Silenzio origin.
04:54So what if the Rossetti family's principessa is clever?
04:57She still can't hold the don's heart.
05:01Later, Raphael held me and comfortingly promised I'd never be looked down upon again.
05:06The tenth time he disappeared mid-reception, one of his younger cousins joked at the dining
05:10table.
05:11Raphael, just marry both Gianna and Natalia.
05:14It'll save you the trouble of coming back and forth.
05:18He shot his cousin a glance before leaving without looking back.
05:23This time, I would no longer wait.
05:26The wedding's off.
05:27There won't be another.
05:34Mrs. Rossetti, maybe we can...
05:37I said, the wedding's off.
05:41No one dishonors a Hallowham wedding.
05:43Then tell your heir to come back and finish it.
05:46Under shock stares and gasps, I lifted my hands and unpinned the tiara given by Raphael's
05:51father.
05:51It was a family heirloom passed down to every Halloway bride who swore fidelity at the altar.
05:57I smashed it to the ground, and diamonds scattered across the floor, stunning all guests present.
06:02The moment I had turned away, I felt lighter than I ever had.
06:06Back in my room, I sat at my vanity and slowly wiped away my makeup.
06:11When Raphael called, I picked up, only to hear Natalia's giggles through the line.
06:22Thank you for spending my birthday with me, Raphael.
06:26Gianna, Natalia's fine now, so shall we do the wedding in a few days?
06:30I've booked Littlewood Chapel.
06:32You mentioned you love the frescoes, right?
06:36Whatever.
06:37Oh, and how did the checkup go?
06:38Is the baby healthy?
06:40Yeah, perfectly.
06:42That's great.
06:44When I get back, let's...
06:45Raphael, is Natalia's birthday party over yet?
06:50Are you jealous?
06:52Instead of answering, I ended the call and pulled out a train ticket from the drawer,
06:56headed for the northern Silenzio Mafia headquarters in Montrava.
06:59It came with an invitation card, with gold-embossed script shimmering under the lights.
07:04Welcome home, Miss Rossetti.
07:09When I was about to fall asleep that night, I heard the soft click of the door lock.
07:13The thought that Raphael might be back surprised me a little.
07:16Lately, he'd started doing this.
07:18He'd suddenly return home, fuss around in the kitchen,
07:20and hurriedly slip out with some deliciously cooked food.
07:24Once, I caught the sweet aroma drifting from the oven and thought he had a surprise for me.
07:28What are you making?
07:31Stay home and wait.
07:33Don't you dare go out.
07:42Natalia said she was craving this.
07:47I'm hungry, too.
07:52Shall I get Susan to make you something?
07:55Or could you send someone to fetch?
07:59After he left, Susan Barlow made me a plate of over-salted pasta.
08:03My throat felt a little dry, so I got up and headed to the kitchen to get a glass of
08:07water.
08:07In the kitchen, the air was heavy with the rich sweetness of coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone.
08:12He was making tiramisu.
08:14He was so focused that he didn't even notice me standing at the door until I fetched a glass.
08:22He spun around and instinctively shielded the counter with his body.
08:35Aren't you asleep yet?
08:37Just thirsty.
08:42This...
08:43You can't eat this.
08:44There's coffee liqueur and raw egg in here.
08:47It's bad for the baby.
08:51Relax.
08:51I'm not interested in your sweets.
08:55Raphael, I think I have a fever.
08:57You took those random pills again, didn't you?
08:59Hang in there, I'm coming.
09:01Raphael's expression twisted with an annoyed frown on his brows.
09:04Yet his gaze softened.
09:05After hanging up, he packed the tiramisu in a box with practiced ease.
09:10When tying the ribbon, he went the extra mile to fix the curve of the bow.
09:14Do you remember tonight's supposed to be our wedding night?
09:19Don't start.
09:21It's Natalia's birthday, and someone has to keep her company.
09:27This is the 17th time.
09:31Please, Gianna.
09:33You know, Antoine...
09:34Must you to protect her?
09:36Go.
09:37Don't keep her waiting.
09:38When his car pulled away,
09:40I checked a telegram that had been delivered minutes ago.
09:42It was from a nurse I knew,
09:44saying Natalia had just been seen laughing at a caftor.
09:47A note read,
09:49Fever.
09:49Her thermometer shows normal.
09:51As I set the telegram down,
09:52my mind drifted back to three years ago
09:54when I met Raphael for the first time.
09:56Mafias from the North and South gathered in Mantrava to negotiate.
09:59An eye was there as the northern financial advisor.
10:03When Raphael burst in with his southern men, all the bodyguards drew guns.
10:07He walked straight to me, dropped to one knee under their watchful stares,
10:11and pressed a golden revolver into my hands.
10:15Gianna Rossetti, there's a bullet in here.
10:18If I ever cheat on you, use it.
10:24The room erupted in gasps,
10:26while the southern elders called him reckless and insane.
10:29But I understand the weight of that gesture.
10:32It meant placing the dawn of southern Silenzio's life in the hands of the enemy.
10:36Later, he told me,
10:37Antonio nearly lost his mind over it and raged
10:40that he'd handed the symbol of southern Silenzio's power
10:43to the heir of their northern rivals.
10:45We'll be family anyway.
10:47Back then, Natalia was just an inconvenience to him.
10:50Whenever she was brought up, he'd always seem annoyed.
10:55Antonio's daughter is a dead weight I can't shake off.
10:58The first time I saw her was at our engagement party.
11:01Standing in the corner, she was dressed in a white chiffon dress,
11:04looking pale and demure.
11:07That's Natalia.
11:09Yeah.
11:11Should have stayed home if she's so sickly and fragile.
11:15Annoying as hell.
11:18Bring that lady in the corner a blanket and some warm milk.
11:25Later, I noticed that their dynamic was a contradictory mix of annoyance and devotion.
11:30Natalia's too needy.
11:31He'd complain, but memorize every allergy she had.
11:34Can't you be independent and thoughtful of others for once?
11:36That was the sentence he'd always say before leaving our wedding and running to her side.
11:40The telephone rang sharply and yanked me back to the present.
11:43It was Bianca Spade, one of my few friends who knew everything,
11:47and the principessa of a family in the North.
11:50Gianna, did you hear that bitch is throwing a party?
11:53Why is Raphael there when you're having your wedding today?
11:56Has he gone off to that sick bitch birthday when he's supposed to be with you for your wedding night,
11:59and he made tiramisi for her?
12:01Did he ever make you anything?
12:03I stayed silent and could feel my fingers go cold.
12:06Gianna, say something!
12:08Don't tell me you let it slide again!
12:11There's no wedding night, Bianca.
12:14The wedding's off.
12:15The line went silent for two seconds, as if Bianca's legendary temper was plugged.
12:19He did it again?
12:21During the vows?
12:23Yes.
12:25Seventeen times, Gianna.
12:27And you're pregnant!
12:29What does Raphael think he's doing?
12:32Is she really his sister?
12:34Not by blood.
12:36She's Antonio Sullivan's daughter.
12:38Fuck Antonio.
12:40Does his dying will mean you have to waste your whole life paying for it?
12:43You're a Rosami, Gianna.
12:46Since when are you this subservient?
12:48I'm done groveling.
12:50Bianca, do me a favor.
12:52What?
12:52Find me an obstetrician.
12:54After the abortion, I'm going back to Montrava.
13:02As the morning sunlight spilled into the kitchen,
13:04I hummed an old northern tune,
13:06frying bacon and a sunny side up egg at my own pace.
13:09This was a farewell feast I'd got myself.
13:11I pulled out a chair and sat down.
13:13Just as my fork touched the softio,
13:15the door opened with a soft click.
13:17Raphael walked in,
13:18reeking of Natalia's perfume
13:19and holding a huge bouquet of flamboyant Strelitzia.
13:23I hated those flowers and always thought they looked cheap and forced,
13:27like a dressed-up turkey ready to be served.
13:30But Natalia loved them.
13:31She said they were hearty,
13:33like the version of herself she longed to be.
13:35Morning, Gianna.
13:39Natalia was a handful last night
13:41and kept whining that the new painkillers weren't working.
13:44Her body's so delicate that anything sets her off.
13:47As he rambled, he instinctively reached for my bread.
13:49I picked up my plate and avoided his hands.
13:51He froze and only now did he notice
13:53that there was just one set of breakfast on the table.
13:56Where's mine?
13:57Come on, Gianna.
13:59You can't just think of your baby and starve your husband.
14:03About what happened at the chapel yesterday,
14:05I'm sorry, Gianna.
14:07Natalia was really sick then,
14:09and Antonio...
14:10When he noticed I didn't react,
14:12he immediately changed the subject.
14:14Turning around,
14:14he grabbed the ugly flowers
14:16and thrust them into my arms.
14:17These are just for you,
14:18your favorite.
14:20There's a surprise inside.
14:22Want to see?
14:23In here.
14:23My fingers fumbled with the petals
14:25until a dark red velvet box
14:27tumbled into my hands.
14:33A pair of earrings lay inside.
14:35I froze.
14:36The stones had decent clarity.
14:38But when the light hit,
14:39there were visible spiderweb flaws trapped inside.
14:42Do you like them?
14:43Of course, I like the earrings.
14:45They were made from the pigeon blood
14:46Ruby had given to be mated.
14:48Gianna?
14:49Half a year ago,
14:49he told me it was sent to a jeweler,
14:51and I've been looking forward
14:52to seeing the final piece now.
14:54I knew that the jewelry carrying the centerpiece
14:56sat on Natalia's vanity,
14:58and I was being handed its scraps.
15:01Don't you like them?
15:03Gianna, there's something else.
15:05Natalia told me she wants to play goddess Freyla
15:07this year for next month's harvest time.
15:10You know how fragile she is.
15:13She's been feeling down lately,
15:14and mentioned twice that she'd love
15:16to play goddess Freyla.
15:21Well, you know she's weak,
15:22and now there's this one thing that makes her happy.
15:25She's always wanted to play the goddess as a kid.
15:28When Antonio was around...
15:30Steadying my face,
15:32Raphael was starting to grow impatient.
15:34A strange, calm relief settled in my chest.
15:37To Raphael,
15:38Natalia deserved all the attention,
15:40while I was just a convenient afterthought.
15:42Sure.
15:43Let her have it.
15:49You're okay with that?
15:55It's just a role.
15:56If it makes her happy, it's hers.
16:00I knew it!
16:01You've always been understanding, Gianna.
16:05That's the grace a true Dawn's wife should have.
16:12I'm sorry, Gianna.
16:16Hello, Natalia.
16:17What's wrong?
16:19Okay, I'm coming.
16:21I promise this is the last time, Gianna.
16:24We'll have the wedding tomorrow.
16:26After the baby's born,
16:26you'll have all my time and all of me.
16:31Last time?
16:32There wouldn't be a next chance, Raphael.
16:38Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit,
16:40Raphael stood at the altar
16:41and patiently adjusted his cufflinks.
16:43He felt good today,
16:45and Talia's little mood swing last night
16:46had been easily soothed with just a few honeyed words,
16:49and I, ever so dutiful,
16:51hadn't made a fuss either.
16:53Today, everything would go smoothly,
16:54except that the bride wasn't here yet.
16:57Just then,
16:58his right-hand man, Matteo Steele,
17:00pushed through the crowd.
17:01Don Holloway,
17:02Mrs. Rossetti's gone.
17:04She isn't at the estate,
17:05her room's empty,
17:06and her bags are gone too.
17:13What did you just say?
17:16Our men reported that she went to an obstetrician.
17:20What the fuck did you just say?
17:25What the fuck is she doing there?
17:28Before he could process his thoughts,
17:30the telephone started ringing violently.
17:32He snatched it up,
17:33silently praying that it might be me.
17:34If it were before,
17:35her call might have stirred only helplessness
17:37and weary indulgence.
17:39But now,
17:39all he felt was irritation
17:41and bitter disappointment.
17:42Raphael,
17:43I heard the wedding hit a snack.
17:45Natalia,
17:46I don't have time.
17:47I can step in!
17:48I'm right outside the chapel.
17:49The Holloway can't afford this humiliation,
17:51and I can...
17:57Mateo!
17:57Cancel the wedding!
18:04What?
18:05But Don Holloway,
18:07the guests...
18:07I said,
18:08cancel it!
18:13Contact every train station and port,
18:15and find Gianna now!
18:17When he stormed out of the chapel,
18:18Natalia stood by the door,
18:20in a wedding.
18:22Raphael,
18:23I can...
18:23Get out of my way!
18:26Raphael didn't have a second to waste on her.
18:28Ouch!
18:29My chest hurts!
18:33Find her a doctor!
18:39Raphael!
18:40All he could think about
18:41was why I'd gone to the obstetrician.
18:43For a pregnant lady to be at the obstetrician,
18:46perhaps I was there
18:47for just a routine check-up.
18:54Where is she?
18:58Where is she?
18:58Mrs. Rossetti had me give you this.
18:59He took over the pregnancy test sheet from the nurse,
19:01and skimmed through the lines.
19:03Seventeen weeks pregnant.
19:05Elective termination of pregnancy.
19:10No way!
19:11Furry!
19:13His furious rule rang through the hospital.
19:15No one dared make a sound under the weight of that fury.
19:19The number you have reached is no longer in service.
19:30Don Holloway,
19:31Miss Rossetti boarded a private train carriage to Montrava this morning,
19:34and members of the Northern Mafia
19:35has picked her up at the station.
19:38Get the car!
19:40I'm going to Montrava myself!
19:47Your father ordered a lockdown.
19:50So North Silencio is enemy territory now.
19:53Fuck enemy territory!
19:55That's my wife!
19:56I can prove!
19:57He froze,
19:59realizing that he'd never given me that name.
20:01So now,
20:03I wasn't his wife,
20:04and our child wasn't his heir.
20:14Mrs. Rossetti left this in a way.
20:17I said it's a wedding gift.
20:18Raphael snatched it open
20:20to reveal the golden revolver.
20:21Its barrel was engraved
20:22with the day we first met,
20:24and it was now scored
20:25with seventeen fresh hash marks.
20:27They represented seventeen
20:29unfinished weddings
20:30and broken promises
20:31while I'd stood there
20:32waiting as he'd walked away,
20:34clutching the box.
20:35He collapsed to the floor,
20:36his head bowed in defeat.
20:41In Montrava,
20:42the grand ballroom of the Rossetti estate
20:44was ablaze with lights.
20:45Northern elders had gathered
20:46and forced to welcome my return.
20:48Janna, welcome home.
20:49I lifted my crystal glass
20:51and swept my gaze over the crowd.
20:52Some of them were
20:53father's loyalists,
20:55some new blood upstarts,
20:56and others who once scoffed at me.
20:58The Rossetti Prince of Esa,
20:59who'd betrayed the North
21:00and run off to the South.
21:02Thank you, everyone.
21:03I've learned a lot
21:04these years in the South.
21:05Oh, for instance?
21:06For example,
21:07their port runs on bribes
21:08to Marine Customs officers,
21:09and I have that list now.
21:11Their arms deals hinge
21:12on three key brokers,
21:13one of whom now works for me.
21:14Two-thirds of their casino cash flow
21:16was never declared.
21:17By tomorrow morning,
21:18the tax office will deliver
21:19a friendly tax audit notice
21:21right to Holloway Estate.
21:22Silence fell over the room
21:23before a low ripple
21:24of impressed laughter
21:25and applause broke out.
21:36A true Rossetti.
21:39Looks like Don Holloway
21:40is going to choke
21:41on his wife's kindness.
21:45Wife?
21:46I never married him.
21:50What about the child?
21:52Is he the Rossetti heir
21:54or the Holloway's
21:55unborn little Don?
21:58Dominic,
21:59we can't choose blood,
22:00but loyalty's different.
22:02This child will bear
22:03only one last name,
22:05Rossetti.
22:06In truth,
22:06I thought of getting rid
22:07of the baby that day,
22:08but the doctor told me
22:10that the baby was growing
22:10strong and healthy.
22:12I listened to the tiny heartbeat
22:13through the stethoscope
22:14and realized that though
22:15Raphael might be his father,
22:16I was his mother.
22:18I would not sacrifice my baby
22:20for his stupidity.
22:21So,
22:21I paid off a nurse
22:23and forged a report.
22:24I knew that my baby
22:25and I deserved a clean start
22:26far away from all of this.
22:29In the Holloway Estate
22:31in Nereval,
22:32Raphael sat in his study
22:33with stacks of urgent reports
22:34littering his desk.
22:38Don Holloway!
22:39The Northern Mafas
22:40are at it again.
22:41They hit our casinos
22:42in Vizera with tax raids
22:43and we're bleeding money.
22:46Where's Natalia?
22:47I need her report now!
22:50Mrs. Sullivan,
22:52she said she has a headache.
22:54The report's not done yet.
23:00Another headache again?
23:01She's always having headaches,
23:03fevers,
23:03and bad moods.
23:04What else is she good for?
23:05When Gianna was around,
23:06this crap never touched my desk.
23:12Tell her I want that report
23:14on my desk tonight.
23:20Raphael's forces
23:21were dangerously affected,
23:22but he didn't fight back in time
23:24because Natalia had
23:25her claws on him again.
23:28Don Holloway,
23:29the Northern Mafas
23:30are at it again.
23:30They hit our casinos
23:31in Vizena with tax raids
23:32and we're bleeding money!
23:34Where's Natalia?
23:35I need her report now!
23:42Mrs. Sullivan
23:44said she has a headache.
23:47The report's not done yet.
23:49Another headache again?
23:51She's always having headaches,
23:53fevers,
23:54and bad moods!
23:55What else is she good for?
23:59When Gianna was around,
24:00this crap never touched my desk!
24:11Tell her I want that report
24:12on my desk tonight.
24:16But when Natalia
24:17finally stood at his door,
24:19fearfully clutching
24:20the report to her chest,
24:21his anger miraculously collapsed
24:24at the sight
24:24of her pitiful act.
24:29Forget it.
24:30Just leave it here
24:31and take some rest.
24:36Natalia placed the papers down
24:38but didn't leave.
24:39Instead,
24:40she slipped behind him
24:41and gently
24:41massaged his temples.
24:43Don't wear yourself out,
24:44Raphael.
24:46It's all Gianna's fault
24:47that she's cruel to you.
24:48On Harvestite Eve,
24:50Natalia twirled
24:50before the mirror,
24:51resting the gown heavy
24:52with gold grain
24:53and glittering gems.
24:55Ever the pallor
24:56of her cheeks
24:56couldn't dull
24:57the gleam
24:57and vanity
24:58in her eyes
24:58as she turned
24:59to Raphael's hill
25:00expectantly.
25:01Do I look good?
25:03Raphael seemed
25:04carried away.
25:05In his mind,
25:06a reminder struck him
25:07that this gown
25:08should have been mine.
25:11Have you memorized
25:12the rills?
25:13The offering sequence,
25:14the invotations
25:15and interactions
25:16with the elders?
25:16Relax.
25:17I've got it all
25:18in my brain now.
25:19It's just a show,
25:21isn't it?
25:27At Harvestite
25:28festive squares,
25:28Raphael led Natalia
25:29toward the altar
25:30through the sea
25:31of onlookers.
25:33She tripped
25:34on her hem.
25:35Raphael barely
25:35caught her in time.
25:37A hushed,
25:37stifled laughter
25:38rippled through the crowd.
25:40The ceremonial weight
25:41slipped from her
25:41trembling hands
25:42and spilled to the floor
25:43as she raised
25:44the sheaf high.
25:46Under thousands
25:47of pairs of eyes,
25:48her face was nervously
25:49pale like a sheet.
25:52She lifted the heavy
25:53golden pitcher
25:54with violently
25:54shaking hands.
25:56Her lips fumbled
25:57through the sacred words
25:58in a squeaking voice.
25:59Like a frightened mouse's
26:00Raphael,
26:00urgently hissed,
26:01Hurry up.
26:02But her grip faltered
26:04and the golden pitcher
26:05tilted a little too far
26:06before a flood
26:06of gold-led oil
26:07cascaded into the bracer
26:08with a swoosh.
26:09A pillar of fire
26:10erupted into the skies
26:11and waves of scorching light
26:13roared across the ground.
26:17Natalia shrieked
26:18from the pitcher
26:19and crouched down.
26:20She was violently shaking
26:22as she hugged her head
26:22in fear.
26:23The square fell
26:24deadly silent
26:25except for the wild war
26:26of flames in the bracer.
26:28Raphael in that moment
26:29had struck him
26:30what he truly lost.
26:31Heading straight
26:31for the cellars,
26:32he knew he had to drown
26:33himself in liquor
26:34to burn this night
26:35from his memory.
26:37At midnight,
26:38Natalia found him
26:39a drunken wreck
26:39among shattered bottles
26:40muttering in pain.
26:42Gianna,
26:44my baby,
26:46my son.
26:51Seven years later,
26:52at the Montrava
26:53International Financial Hub,
26:55I stepped in
26:55while taking father
26:56by the arm.
26:57Right now,
26:58I was the undisputed leader
26:59of Northern Silencio.
27:01Luccaro said
27:02his little fingers
27:02tickled my right palm
27:03for attention.
27:04What is it, my angel?
27:07Mother,
27:08that man's been staring
27:09at you the whole time.
27:10It was Raphael.
27:11Gone was the golden prince
27:12of Southern Silencio,
27:13and what stood in his place
27:14now was a haggard,
27:15gaunt man.
27:16Natalia stuck to him
27:17and glared at me
27:18with wide, wary eyes.
27:19I turned away,
27:20unbothered.
27:21Don't mind him.
27:22But Raphael stepped forward
27:23anyway and shoved Natalia aside
27:25when she tried
27:25to hold him back.
27:27He staggered on unsteady feet
27:29and reeked of heavy liquor.
27:32Gianna,
27:32it's been seven years.
27:38Come with me.
27:39We can start over.
27:41I swear that this time
27:43I won't...
27:43I stepped back
27:44to avoid his touch
27:45and shot him
27:46in icy glare.
27:47Raphael Holloway,
27:48you're drunk.
27:50Please show some respect.
27:53Sensing the shift,
27:54Luca stepped in front of me.
27:55Raphael's breath hitched.
27:57His gaze locked on Luca
27:58first blankly
27:59before the shock settled in.
28:00Then it turned into wild,
28:02almost mad disbelief.
28:04Kid,
28:06how old are you?
28:09Seven.
28:10You're seven,
28:11aren't you?
28:16This has to be my child.
28:19Gianna,
28:20you kept him.
28:21You still love me.
28:22Don't touch him!
28:24I barked and shielded Luca.
28:28Come on, Gianna.
28:30You gave me a son
28:31and that's all proof
28:32I need that we're...
28:33He's not yours.
28:37No way!
28:38The timing's perfect
28:39and he has to be my son!
28:41You can't lie to me!
28:45So,
28:46you're the trashy man
28:47who made my mother cry.
28:50What...
28:51What did you just say?
28:52I know what you did.
28:53You abandoned her 17 times
28:55and even gave my grandma's gemstone
28:57to another woman.
28:58You threw away her dignity
28:59on the most important
29:00special day of her life
29:01and nearly made her lose me.
29:02Did you tell him all this?
29:03She didn't need to.
29:04The Rossetti family's
29:05intelligence web
29:06reaches further than anything.
29:10Listen to me, kid.
29:11I know I've been absent
29:12all these years
29:13but we can start over.
29:14You can have anything you want.
29:15Toys, cars, castles.
29:17As long as you're the mom with me,
29:18I can give you...
29:19No thanks.
29:19There's nothing I need.
29:21Least of least, a father.
29:24His mouth opened to speak
29:26when Luca stepped forward
29:27and curled his little hand
29:28around my fingers.
29:29Touch my mother again
29:30and I'll make sure
29:32you and that woman beside you
29:34disappear from Silencio.
29:36Gianna, our son!
29:38He...
29:38He's not our son.
29:42He's my child,
29:44a Rossini heir.
29:46Let's go, Luca.
29:47Yes, mother.
29:51Wait, Gianna!
29:53He ran after her,
29:54refusing to give up.
29:59Raphael looked hurt
30:00like he'd been stabbed
30:01in the chest.
30:07Raphael's face
30:07was deathly pale
30:08while his lips parted
30:10to find a way
30:10to save his health.
30:12Raphael!
30:13Did you just tell her
30:14you'd like to start over?
30:18If you want her child,
30:19what about our baby?
30:21The commotion had drawn
30:22every eye in the ballroom.
30:24I watched it all
30:25with a cold,
30:26amused smile
30:27curled up on my lips.
30:29Natalia, let go!
30:31I was just...
30:35Just what?
30:37I'm carrying your baby
30:38all away!
30:41She grabbed his hand
30:42and pressed it to her stomach
30:43before raising
30:44her tear-streaked feet.
30:50You promised my father
30:52you'd take care of me forever
30:54and swore you'd give us
30:56a family!
30:56And now,
30:58you stand here
30:59with the audacity
31:00for a mega chance!
31:01From the woman
31:02you abandoned
31:03right in front of me!
31:05Don Holloway
31:06is surely
31:07loyal.
31:09One hand on the ex-wife
31:11and another on the pregnant
31:12sworn sister's belly
31:14carrying his child.
31:15Enough, Natalia!
31:16The towering champagne glasses
31:18are still in the hail of shards.
31:38It's all your fault!
31:40Vile Raphael!
31:42Your child and I are dying!
31:45She spat the words
31:46with her face twisted in pain,
31:47looking nothing like
31:48the soft, fragile lady
31:50she used to be.
31:51Get the doctor.
31:52Though I loathed them,
31:53they were in my territory
31:55and I had no choice
31:56but to murmur to the guards.
31:58She's lost the child.
32:00The hemorrhage damaged
32:01her uterus
32:03and she'll likely
32:04never carry another.
32:05Moments later,
32:06the Rossetti family's
32:07private doctor arrived
32:08but it was too late.
32:09The Rossetti family
32:10does not tolerate pests.
32:12Pointing a finger
32:13at the pale Raphael
32:14and the unconscious Natalia
32:15on the ground.
32:16Seize them
32:16and throw them out.
32:17His voice was firm
32:18and decisive
32:19as he instructed.
32:23Apologies for the scene.
32:24Let the party continue.
32:25I calmly watched them go
32:27before turning back
32:27to my guests.
32:28The Holloways
32:29are too close
32:29and you're so gracious
32:30to come to us.
32:31I heard it was a boy
32:32the last heir
32:32of the Holloways.
32:33Everything's gone now.
32:36At the International
32:37Youth Invention Expo,
32:39Luca stood tall
32:40in his suit
32:40on the bright stage.
32:41Mr. Rossetti,
32:42would you like to say
32:42a few words?
32:46I want to say
32:47thank you
32:47to my mother.
32:49She's my greatest
32:50role model.
32:52I smiled and applauded
32:53as my eyes
32:54drifted down
32:54to a newspaper.
32:55A headline flashed
32:56on the front page.
32:58An attached photo
32:59showed him disheveled,
33:01hollow-eyed,
33:01and unkempt.
33:07When the ceremony ended,
33:09Luca bounded down
33:10the steps toward me
33:11with his trophy.
33:14Mother, I did it!
33:20You've always made me proud.
33:23Just as we turned to leave,
33:24I caught a glimpse
33:25of a familiar figure
33:26in the corner
33:26who seemed to be Raphael.
33:28He looked even more haggard
33:30than the last time we met
33:31and was dressed
33:31in a rumpled suit.
33:35It's him again.
33:41Come on, sweetheart.
33:42Your father made
33:43dinner reservations
33:44and he's waiting for us.
33:45Okay!
Comments