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Watch full-length drama films featuring powerful business leaders, hidden identities, family secrets, impossible love stories, revenge, and inspiring personal journeys. Every movie delivers engaging storytelling and memorable characters.
Enjoy high-quality drama entertainment with English subtitles and discover new trending stories uploaded on a regular basis.
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00:00On the eve of my arranged marriage into a mafia family, someone shaved my head bald.
00:04The blonde hair I'd grown for 12 years, hair that used to fall to my waist like a waterfall, was
00:10gone.
00:10All that was left was a blue-tinged scalp.
00:13Scarlett Valenti, who went by Scar on the streets, wore her hair in a high ponytail, an electric clipper in
00:18one hand, grinning lazily a Nico Moretti beside her.
00:21Your fiancé has terrible instincts, such a pampered Upper East Side princess.
00:25Someone slipped into her penthouse suite and she didn't even notice.
00:27How is she supposed to be worthy of you, the future godfather of the Moretti family?
00:32The Moretti Capos and Consigliers, seated around the room, burst into laughter.
00:37Scar, that's not fair. Nico put that custom essential oil by her bed himself.
00:43Who guards against her own fiancé?
00:46Scarlett gave a mocking laugh and waved the clipper in her hand.
00:50The wedding is tomorrow.
00:53Let's see whether this delicate Upper East Side Barbie still deserves the Moretti wedding ring, without all that blonde hair
01:01she wears like a status symbol.
01:07Nico, take away her salon.
01:09And your fiancée's is just a poor little thing.
01:11As laughter filled the room, Nico Moretti looked at me with a thin, perfuctious apology on his face.
01:16Ava, don't be so fragile. In our world, weakness gets you killed.
01:21Scarlett and the others are just welcoming you in their own way. It's a test of your nerve.
01:25Put on a veil tomorrow and no one will know.
01:28Wear the veil and the wig tomorrow. No one will see anything wrong.
01:32You'll still be the Mrs. Moretti I bring home in style.
01:36I tried to move my limbs, still too weak to use, and fix my eyes on that diffuser bottle.
01:42Nico had come to see me in the suite last night and placed it there with his own hands.
01:47This is a custom essential oil from Sicily blended with lavender and chamomile extract.
01:53It's the best thing for sleep.
01:57You'll be busy all day tomorrow, so get a good night's rest.
02:01I thought of how we had grown up together on New York's Upper East Side since childhood, 20 years of
02:06memories between us.
02:08Never in my worst dreams did I imagine that oil had been laced with a powerful sedative meant to knock
02:13me out cold.
02:14When the family members in the room saw I was awake and silent, they hurried to smooth things off for
02:20Scarlett.
02:21Future mistress, don't be angry. Scar was just messing around. She's got restless hands. All of us brothers have had
02:26a taste of it.
02:27Future mistress, we came back from the Chicago front especially for Nico's wedding. We just wanted to surprise you.
02:33I lowered my eyes to the blonde hair scattered across the floor. It had been my pride and dignity as
02:38the Russell family's daughter.
02:39And now Nico Morelli not only shattered it with his own hands, he wanted me to swallow this bloody humiliation
02:45and pretend nothing had happened just so I could become his ornament.
02:49A surprise? This is the surprise Nico Morelli prepared for me.
02:53Scarlett toyed with the clippers, raised a brow, and looked me up and down.
02:58I was just curious what kind of woman could keep our Nico thinking about her for 20 years, so dead
03:04set on marrying her.
03:05Turns out you're nothing but a spoiled little lady who grew up in a greenhouse and has never seen a
03:11street shootout.
03:12Everyone in the room understood what she left unsaid.
03:16So what Scarlett means is, I'm not worthy of Nico Morelli.
03:21Is that it?
03:23Ava Russell!
03:24Scar doesn't mean any harm. She's been blunt like this since she was a kid. She has no filter. Why
03:28do you have to take it personally?
03:29As he spoke, he tossed a black box onto the bed. It hit the edge and sprang open, revealing an
03:34exquisite wig inside.
03:35Stop making a scene. I had this handmade Italian custom wig prepared especially for you.
03:39Scarlett was only joking. It's not like your hair won't grow back.
03:42A joke? What kind of joke requires shaving someone completely bald?
03:46I didn't scream. I didn't lose control. I didn't even say a word.
03:49I bit down hard, forcing myself through the lingering drug haze and the ache in my limbs.
03:53The blood of the Russell family and years of highborn etiquette did not allow me to bow my head.
03:57Under their stunned gazes, I picked up the wig, placed it on my head, and carefully smoothed every shining strand.
04:02When the long hair fell back over my shoulders, I instantly became polished and noble again.
04:07My calmness darkened Scarlett's face, and she cut in from the side.
04:11Nico is taking such good care of you.
04:13Whether I think you're worthy or not, isn't he still marrying you?
04:16So what are you still whining about?
04:18Put on a thick veil tomorrow, wear the wig, and who can tell your hair is gone?
04:22Stop standing there looking so pitiful.
04:24That weak little act is annoying, but from the moment I woke up until now, I had not shed a
04:29single tear.
04:32Nico, are you really gonna let her humiliate me like this?
04:37Nico sighed and came over as if to take my hand.
04:40I jerked away.
04:44Scar's my life and death comrade.
04:45That's just how she is. Her mouth runs, but her heart isn't bad.
04:48Let's put this behind us, alright?
04:50Nico softened his voice again, coaxing me.
04:52Ava, at the end of the day, I'm the one who gave you the oil. This should be on me.
04:56If you want to blame someone, blame me.
04:57That was what he said, but his face carried absolute arrogance, as if he was certain that after loving him
05:02for 20 years, I could never hate him.
05:04I looked at his face, the face I had known since I was three.
05:06When I was 11, children from another family cornered me and tried to steal the necklace my mother had left
05:11me.
05:12Nico grabbed a baseball bat and charged at them.
05:14If anyone dared touch a single hair on my head, he would fight them back.
05:18When I was 17, just after my birthday, Nico graduated from West Point and came to my door with the
05:22family's signet ring, terrified someone else would win me first, desperate to bind me to him for life.
05:28When I was 20, Nico left for Chicago to expand the family's power.
05:31At the airport, he held my hand tightly, eyes red, and said that when he returned, he would give me
05:35a grand wedding.
05:36Then Nico spent four years fighting through Chicago's gunfire, while I waited quietly for him in the estate in New
05:42York.
05:42And now, that diffuser bottle still sat by the bed.
05:44The Sicilian citrus scent that once made me feel safe was wrapped in the sharp smell of sedatives, silently mocking
05:50my stupidity.
05:51Actually, this wasn't the first time I'd seen Scarlett's hostility.
05:54Last year, after begging my father for ages, I finally boarded the family jet and went to a safe house
05:59in Chicago to see Nico.
06:00But after I arrived, Nico showed no surprise at all.
06:02Instead, he spent every day in the war hoose with Scarlett, leaning over city maps and planning operations.
06:07Even seeing me felt like a waste of his time.
06:09I asked his men to announce me three times.
06:11Scarlett simply posted a printed sheet of paper on the iron door of the war room.
06:15It read, Ava, Russell, and dogs, no entry.
06:18Back then, I was furious and hurt.
06:20I fought with Nico, but he only told me coldly.
06:22Scar doesn't mean any harm, she's just direct.
06:24Besides, delaying an operational briefing was your fault to begin with.
06:27That was when I knew the scale in Nico's heart had long since tipped beyond repair.
06:31Nico was still standing by the bed, repeating that line he thought was so affectionate.
06:36Ava, at the end of the day, I'm the one who gave you the oil.
06:39This should be on me.
06:41If you want to blame someone, blame me.
06:43Hearing Nico, Scarlett suddenly grabbed the tactical dagger on the table, drew the blade, and pressed it against her own
06:48long hair.
06:48It's just hair, isn't it?
06:49Fine, I'll shave mine too and keep you to company.
06:52For my partner, a little sacrifice is nothing.
06:55Don't blame Nico.
06:56Scarlett spoke as if she were making some righteous sacrifice, but the blade in her hand didn't press even the
07:02slightest bit into her hair.
07:04I looked at her performance and suddenly laughed.
07:07Then do it.
07:09Scarlett's hand froze.
07:10I leaned forward and pressed her, each word deliberate.
07:13Shave it.
07:14Her blade moved forward by half an inch, but she used no force at all.
07:17It didn't cut even a single strand.
07:19I'm doing this for my partner.
07:20Fine, I'll shave it.
07:21At that moment, Nico leads forward, drew the beretta from his waist, and knocked the dagger out of Scarlett's hand
07:26with the grip.
07:26He looked at me, his face livid, his eyes full of rage.
07:29Enough!
07:30Ava Russell, you are completely out of line.
07:32I froze.
07:33Scarlett is my life and death partner.
07:35A comrade who would take a bullet for me in a street shootout.
07:38Why do you always have to make things hard for her?
07:40She fought for four years in Chicago.
07:42She has spilled more blood than you've shed tears in your entire life.
07:45And you, the moment you see another woman, you turn her into an imaginary enemy.
07:50Scarlett sees far beyond you.
07:52She worries about the safety of the whole family, about whether our brothers live or die.
07:57What do you have in your heart?
08:00Scarlett tugged at his sleeve, pretending to advise him,
08:02Nico, stop.
08:03She is your fiancé after all.
08:05But Nico didn't stop accusing me.
08:07So what if she's my fiancé?
08:08She's been shut inside that estate for too long.
08:10Her world is the size of a needle tip.
08:11Scar was only testing you in her own way.
08:13I know it doesn't feel good, but in this line of work,
08:16courage and mental strength are everything.
08:17Why can't you get past this?
08:19Why force Scar to shave her head with you?
08:21Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to force someone to do that?
08:24I stood there, listening to those words stab straight into my heart.
08:27I had told myself countless times that it was time to let go of Nico Moretti.
08:31But at that moment, my heart still felt like it had been seized and crushed by a hand.
08:35Eva, put away your tantrums.
08:37The Moretti name stands for absolute cold blood and obedience.
08:40I don't need a narrow-minded, bitter woman who haggles over a few strands of hair.
08:44Reflect on yourself.
08:46After that, he left the suite with several men without waiting for my answer.
08:50The instant everyone left, the strength I had been forcing myself to hold onto seemed to drain out of me
08:56all at once.
08:56A dense, suffocating pain spread through my veins and into every limb.
09:01I looked at that brilliant patch of gold on the floor and suddenly realized.
09:05I truly hated Nico Moretti now.
09:08I raised my hand, pulled off that heavy, ridiculous wig and threw it aside, letting my blue-tinted scalp be
09:13exposed to the air again when footsteps sounded outside the suite door.
09:19Darling, tomorrow is your big day.
09:21I asked the kitchen to make you...
09:23When my mother pushed the door open, she was still holding a cup of black coffee.
09:27The cup in her hand crashed to the floor, spilling hot coffee everywhere.
09:31My mother stared at my bald head.
09:33Her eyes went wide and her voice shook beyond control.
09:36Your... your hair?
09:37She looked down and saw the long hair scattered across the floor.
09:41Panic overtook her.
09:42What... what happened?
09:43Who did this?
09:44My hearing was sharp.
09:46I heard Scarlet outside the fire exit, unable to suppress a soft laugh.
09:50Mom, it's alright.
09:51I held my mother's violently shaking hands and comforted her softly.
09:54My mother's tears fell instantly.
09:57The wedding is tomorrow.
09:58How are you supposed to face anyone like this?
09:59All of New York society is watching.
10:01What are we supposed to tell the Morettis?
10:03I looked into her eyes and said each word clearly.
10:06Mom, I messaged Damien Costell.
10:09I'm changing the groom.
10:12After I sent the message, my mother wiped her tears and walked out.
10:17That evening, I received Damien Costello's reply.
10:21Just one sentence.
10:23The wedding goes on.
10:24Leave the rest to me.
10:25The wedding was tomorrow, but that night I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
10:29So I got up early to try on the wedding dress and put on the wig.
10:32I stood in front of the mirror, touching the Vera Wong handmade wedding gown that had taken half a year
10:37to customize.
10:38The exquisite dress made me look impossibly beautiful.
10:42I had imagined countless times what I would look like wearing it to marry Nico.
10:46Now it only felt ironic.
10:48Late at night, everyone in the estate had gone to sleep.
10:51The door was suddenly opened with a key card.
10:53Nico stood in the doorway with Scarlet behind him.
10:56No other men with them.
10:58When he saw me in the wedding dress, a clear flicker of guilt crossed his face.
11:03Ava Russell, we're even now.
11:08What do you mean?
11:09I didn't understand.
11:11I raised my eyes and asked.
11:15That Sicilian oil extract knocked you out cold.
11:19But when he smelled it, the effect was different.
11:24When I poured the oil for you, I left a little at the bottom and didn't clean it up.
11:27Who knew?
11:28Anyway, now we're even.
11:30You lost your hair and something unplanned happened between us.
11:33Nico owes me a huge favor he has to formally repay.
11:38I looked at those glaring marks, then turned to Nico.
11:42Nico took one step forward and spoke.
11:45Ava, Scarlet saved my life three times in Chicago, and now she's been dragged into this.
11:51According to family rules, anyone who saves the boss's life must receive the proper position
11:55and protection within the organization.
11:57I owe her an official explanation.
11:59Why don't we postpone tomorrow's wedding for now?
12:01Postpone again?
12:03Seven years had passed since he promised himself to me when I was 17.
12:06I no longer had years of youth left to waste on him.
12:09Even if I wasn't going to marry him anymore, I still wanted an answer.
12:13Why?
12:14What did you say?
12:16I looked into his eyes and repeated, word by word,
12:19why do I have to postpone again?
12:22What kind of question is that?
12:23Scarlet risked so much for me, and you can't even show this much understand?
12:27Ava, when did you become so cold-blooded?
12:29Scarlet waved a hand beside him, pretending to be magnolias.
12:32Nico, forget it.
12:33I really don't care.
12:34We're life and death partners.
12:35This is nothing.
12:36No.
12:36You've done so much for me.
12:38I must give you a formal explanation.
12:40Once I finish this territorial expansion, I'll make you my underboss.
12:46Have the entire family recognize your position and officially move you into the estate.
12:52Scarlet paused, then looked at me.
12:55Then what about Ava Russell?
12:58Ava is still my fiancée in name.
13:00That doesn't change.
13:01But you are my underboss.
13:03In the organizational hierarchy, your rank is higher than her.
13:06You're moving into the estate as the family's official recognition of your contributions.
13:10No one will dare say a word.
13:12Fine by me.
13:12I don't care about empty titles anyway.
13:14Have you lost your mind?
13:17It's different in my heart.
13:19She is my right hand, but you are my wife.
13:22She may rank higher in the organization, but you are the person closest to me.
13:27Watching the two of them play off each other, I suddenly laughed.
13:30I no longer cared whether I was the person closest to Nico.
13:34I will not postpone the wedding.
13:36Nico's face darkened instantly.
13:39Ava Russell, do you have to be this unreasonable?
13:42Reasonable or not, tomorrow, I will appear at the wedding thing on time.
13:45Nico stared at me for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and nodding.
13:49Fine.
13:50Since you refuse to understand Scarlet and insist on fighting for the title of Mrs. Morati,
13:55don't regret it.
13:57Early the next morning, I sat in front of the vanity mirror,
14:01wearing that Italian custom wig.
14:02The white handmade lace wedding gown made me look upright, elegant, and noble.
14:08When it was time for the ceremony,
14:09my mother supported me as we walked toward the estate gates.
14:12The iron gates opened.
14:14I looked up at the people who had come to receive me
14:16and immediately saw Nico standing at the front.
14:18He wasn't wearing the custom Armani groom suit at all.
14:20He was still in his usual black tactical jacket,
14:22and the group behind him looked absurdering the driveway.
14:24Only two Moretti motor driver driving the family govety.
14:27No band stood splancy beside two ordinary black cars.
14:30They didn't even have a bridal bouquet.
14:31When Nico saw me, he visibly sighed in relief and strode toward me.
14:35There was relief in his voice.
14:36Ava, this morning when I went back to the Morati house,
14:39my mother actually told me our wedding had been cancelled.
14:41On the way here, I kept wondering if you really weren't going to marry me.
14:45Just thinking about it made me panic.
14:46But now that I see you coming out in your wedding dress,
14:49I know you're still sensible.
14:51I looked at the shabby procession behind him,
14:54then at the jacket he was wearing,
14:55and curled my lips.
14:57Nico Moretti,
14:58this is the scale of a wedding for the famous Moretti heir?
15:02Ava, you're the one who insisted on holding the wedding today.
15:04I cannot ignore Scarlet's contributions to the family.
15:07She is about to become my underboss.
15:10The family's resources must go to her purse today.
15:12Your entering today has to be handled quietly.
15:15There is no room for discussion.
15:17Looking at Nico,
15:18I only found it ridiculous beyond words.
15:20He kept saying Scarlet was his partner.
15:23But what kind of partner needed to be compensated
15:25with the treatment meant for a lawful wife?
15:27I lowered my head
15:29and looked at the white wedding gown on my body.
15:32If this is how I'm entering your family,
15:35then what am I to you?
15:36Some dirty secret you keep locked away?
15:39I'm Ava Russell.
15:40I wasn't put on this earth to be hidden in the dark.
15:44I told you yesterday,
15:46Scar's contributions must be formally recognized by the family.
15:49Her position as number two
15:51has to be established first.
15:53These are the rules.
15:53This isn't up to me alone.
15:54As for today's scene,
15:56I truly didn't have time to prepare.
15:57Why are you so obsessed with these formalities?
16:00Didn't have time to prepare?
16:03Nico Moretti,
16:04you promised yourself to me when I was 17.
16:07If we're talking about who came first,
16:09who exactly was first?
16:11Ava, you're still upset about this?
16:13Why can't you be more generous about this?
16:15Scarlet risked her life for me.
16:17I owe her something.
16:18You'll get what you're owed once you're in the family.
16:20The house, the money, all of it.
16:22So why make this so hard?
16:23It's just one ceremony.
16:27My God.
16:28The Russell family's daughter is getting married
16:29and the Moretti sent two lousy cars to pick her up?
16:32The groom isn't even wearing a suit.
16:33There's not even a bouquet.
16:35How is this the treatment for Mrs. Moretti?
16:37At this point,
16:38anyone who didn't know better
16:39would think they were dragging her back
16:40as some servant they had to hide?
16:42The Russells have lost all face this time.
16:43Look at the bride,
16:44dressed so properly
16:45and Moretti doesn't take her seriously at all.
16:46Those comments slapped through the air,
16:47hot and stinging.
16:48As Nico heard the voices
16:49pointing and whispering around him,
16:51his face grew uglier.
16:52Enough!
16:53Ava!
16:54Are you determined to embarrass us here
16:56and make everyone laugh at the Moretti family?
16:58Let go of her!
16:59My mother screamed
17:00and tried to rush forward,
17:01but one of Nico's bodyguards
17:03shoved her roughly aside.
17:04She stumbled and fell onto the grass.
17:07Garlet suddenly stepped out of the car behind Nico,
17:09wearing high heels,
17:10and walked up to me.
17:11Oh, Nico,
17:12why waste words on a spoiled little lady
17:14who has never seen the world?
17:15Since she cares so much about ceremony
17:17and even gets jealous of your underboss,
17:19why don't we let everyone see
17:20Miss Russell's true face?
17:22Let's see what gives her the right
17:24to negotiate terms with the Moretti family.
17:26With a cold laugh,
17:27she reached out,
17:28grabbed my hair,
17:29and ripped the custom wig off my head
17:30with brutal force.
17:32No!
17:35The surroundings fell deathly silent.
17:37Then came the frantic flashes
17:39of reporters' cameras
17:40and the gasps of the crowd.
17:41Oh my god!
17:42She's bald!
17:44The Russell heiress is actually bald.
17:46I clenched my white wedding dress
17:47so hard that my fingertips bled,
17:49yet I refused to shed a single tear.
17:51I looked at Nico.
17:52The second the wig fell,
17:54Nico's body visibly stiffened.
17:55Shock and pity flashed quickly through his eyes.
17:58In the next instant,
17:59that trace of mercy was forcibly suppressed
18:01by the cold blood in his bones.
18:02He clenched his fists
18:03and forced his gaze away
18:04from my reddened eyes,
18:06irritable and stiff.
18:07Ava, will you not be satisfied
18:09until you've dragged
18:09all my dignity through the dirt?
18:11Look at yourself,
18:12so pathetic and ridiculous,
18:13like a freak!
18:15Who else would want you besides me?
18:17Pick up the wig
18:18and get in the car!
18:19Now!
18:22Before I could speak,
18:23the sharp screech of tires
18:24suddenly rang out.
18:25Nico instinctively dodged
18:27behind a bodyguard.
18:28A taser probe grazed past his ear
18:30and slammed deep into the trunk
18:32of the oak tree beside him.
18:33He snapped his head up.
18:35At the end of the driveway,
18:36another procession was approaching
18:38in full force.
18:39Leading it were eight bulletproof Mayboks,
18:40their bodies wrapped white silk,
18:42surrounded by personal bodyguards
18:43in custom black suits.
18:45The pressure they brought
18:46was overwhelming.
18:47A red carpet unfurled
18:48across the ground.
18:49The grandeur silenced
18:50Carrie Black.
18:52At the front of the procession
18:54was Damien Costello.
18:55He wore a handmade white suit
18:57and walked straight toward us.
19:00Suddenly,
19:01he bent and picked up
19:02the wig from the ground.
19:04The next second,
19:05the wig was gently placed
19:07back on my head.
19:08Damien turned
19:09and looked down at Nico.
19:14Morelli,
19:15who gave you the right
19:17to degrade my wife?
19:20Nico Morelli was
19:22absolutely stunned.
19:23He stood frozen.
19:23Looking from me
19:24to Damien Costello,
19:25his voice is trembling.
19:26Ava, what is going on?
19:27Why is Mr. Costello
19:28calling you his wife?
19:29I lifted the hem
19:30of my wedding dress,
19:31walked past him,
19:33took Damien's hand,
19:34and headed straight
19:35toward that grand procession.
19:37Because today
19:37is my wedding to him.
19:39Nico Morelli,
19:40don't delay my wedding.
19:42Her footstep
19:43sounded behind me.
19:44Nico caught up
19:45and tried to grab my hand,
19:46but the Costello bodyguards
19:47pinned him in place.
19:49Behind him,
19:49Scarlet was too shocked
19:50to speak.
19:51What did you say?
19:52You and I have an engagement.
19:54The only person
19:55you can marry is me.
19:56How could you...
19:57I turned back
19:58to look at him
19:58and said every word clearly.
20:01I, Ava Russell,
20:02cannot be someone
20:03else's accessory.
20:04I cannot be a shadow
20:06hidden from the light.
20:07That was a temporary measure.
20:09I explained it to you.
20:10About Scar...
20:11I don't care about Scar.
20:12All I know is
20:13when I was 17,
20:14you promised yourself to me.
20:15I waited for you
20:16for four years,
20:17then three more.
20:18Again and again,
20:19you made me wait,
20:20made me step back,
20:21made me endure.
20:22Nico Moretzi,
20:23I've had enough.
20:24After that,
20:25I turned and got into
20:26the custom bulletproof
20:27myoc in the middle.
20:28The moment the car door closed,
20:30I saw Nico through the window,
20:31his face full of helpless panic.
20:33Damien Costello
20:34looked down at Nico
20:35who was pinned to the ground.
20:36He's carrying a touch.
20:37So, Morelli,
20:37did I just hear you right?
20:39You want Ava to marry
20:40into the Morali house quietly
20:42like a dirty secret?
20:44Nico raised his head
20:45and looked at him,
20:46unwillingness in his eyes.
20:47I'm curious.
20:49What made you think
20:50the only daughter
20:50of the Russell family,
20:51the future mistress
20:52of the East Coast Costello family,
20:54needed to be an accessory
20:55to your Morani house?
20:56Only that she and I
20:58were engaged first.
20:59Damien drew two documents
21:00stamped with family waxleys
21:01from the inner pocket
21:02of in front of him.
21:02This is a marriage contract
21:03witnessed by the commission.
21:05My marriage to Ava Russell
21:07is fully legal
21:07and recognized by all families.
21:10Today's wedding
21:10is known across
21:11the entire East Coast.
21:13As for you,
21:14Nico Morelli,
21:15by rights,
21:16you should be stationed
21:17in Chicago.
21:18Why are you in New York?
21:20No wonder you didn't receive
21:21the annulment letter
21:22signed by Ava Russell
21:23that I had sent to you.
21:24Violating the ceasefire agreement
21:26between families,
21:27crossing territories
21:28without authorization,
21:29and returning to New York
21:30on your own.
21:30That alone is enough
21:32to strip you
21:33of your heir status.
21:34And then there is
21:35your unauthorized use
21:36of family-controlled drugs
21:38and illegal transport
21:39of heavy weapons
21:40across borders.
21:41Tell me,
21:42do you think
21:43the gentlemen
21:43of the commission know?
21:44The wedding car
21:45stopped steadily
21:46at the gates
21:46of the Costello family's
21:47seaside estate
21:48on Long Island.
21:49By the time
21:49the ceremony ended,
21:50night had fallen.
21:51The estate was lit
21:52and decorated.
21:53Guests who had come
21:53to offer congratulations
21:55left one after another.
21:56The door opened
21:57and Damien Costley
21:58walked in,
21:58stopping behind me.
21:59He reached out
22:00and touched the wig
22:00on my head.
22:01Then his lips curved slightly,
22:03his voice carrying
22:03a trace of tender.
22:05Nico Morelli
22:05has been detained
22:06outside by my men
22:07for almost two hours.
22:09He says he wants
22:10to see you.
22:11But I don't want
22:12to see Nico Moretti.
22:14Damien mouthed
22:15something to me.
22:16You're calling to him?
22:17I understood.
22:18He said,
22:19the commission's
22:19legal counsel
22:20is listening inside.
22:22Then I can see him.
22:26Damien arranged
22:27an empty reception room
22:29for me and stationed
22:29bodyguards outside the door,
22:31with surveillance recording
22:32the entire time.
22:33When I pushed the door open
22:35and walked in,
22:36I realized the room
22:37was full of people.
22:38Nico stood in the center,
22:39with his cappies
22:40and consigliaries behind him.
22:42Another shuffled forward
22:43two steps,
22:44his voice close to tears.
22:45Miss Russell,
22:46Nico truly loves you.
22:47He talked about you
22:48every day in Chicago.
22:49All of us brothers heard it.
22:50That's right.
22:51Whenever he went out to fight,
22:52he always carried
22:52the cross you gave him.
22:53He said he would marry you
22:54once he took the territory.
22:55We heard that
22:56for four whole years.
22:57Miss Russell,
22:58he treasured that cross
22:59like his life.
23:00If anyone touched it,
23:01he'd lose his mind.
23:02Miss Russell,
23:03you and Nico
23:03grew up together.
23:05After all these years,
23:06you can't just...
23:06I listened as they listed
23:08all the ways
23:08Nico had been good to me.
23:10but my heart
23:11was like dead water,
23:12not a ripple stirred.
23:14Enough!
23:14She was the only one
23:15in the room
23:16who did not lower her head.
23:17She stood there
23:18with her chin raised high,
23:19her face full of defiance.
23:21Why are all of you
23:22backing down?
23:23What's so great
23:24about Ava Russell?
23:26Ava Russell,
23:27I really unestimated you.
23:29Yesterday,
23:29you were playing pitiful
23:30in the hotel suite.
23:31Today, you've climbed
23:32onto Damien Costello
23:33and married into
23:33the Costello family.
23:34Your skill at playing men
23:36is no different
23:36from those social climbers
23:38desperate to marry
23:39into power.
23:39I never expected
23:40Miss Russell
23:41to be so good at it.
23:42I said nothing.
23:43I only looked at her coldly.
23:45Nico suddenly spoke,
23:47his voice fierce
23:48in a way I had never
23:49heard before.
23:50Scarlett!
23:51Shut your mouth!
23:52Scarlett froze.
23:54She turned to look at Nico,
23:56disbelief all over her face.
23:59What did you say?
24:00I said shut your mouth!
24:01Nico,
24:02have you lost your mind?
24:03Be quiet!
24:06Nico,
24:07you're yelling at me
24:08because of her?
24:09Who am I?
24:09I'm your life and death comrade.
24:11Ava Russell's turned around
24:13and married someone else.
24:14What are you doing now?
24:18Ava,
24:19I was wrong.
24:22I looked at his face
24:23and said nothing.
24:28I know I was wrong.
24:30I shouldn't have let
24:31Scar shave your head.
24:33I shouldn't have said
24:34those things to hurt you.
24:35I shouldn't have...
24:37He paused,
24:38then said again.
24:39But Ava,
24:40Scarlett did save my life.
24:42To Chicago,
24:43I walked into an ambush
24:44and was trapped in a car
24:45about to explode.
24:46When I was about to die,
24:46Scarlett dragged me out of the fire.
24:48She said she wanted
24:48to test your nerves,
24:49so I...
24:49Nico could not finish.
24:51The family members in the room
24:52hurried to speak over one another.
24:54Miss Russell,
24:55Scar saved the boss's life.
24:56The boss owed her a huge debt.
24:57It wasn't easy for him
24:58to refuse her.
24:59Yes, Miss Russell,
25:00the boss has you in his heart.
25:01He just couldn't swallow
25:01his pride.
25:02He didn't know
25:02how to turn Scar down.
25:03After all these years
25:04between you and the boss,
25:05you can't just...
25:06Nico spoke again,
25:07his voice full of pleading.
25:09Ava,
25:09you can hit me or curse me.
25:11Just don't leave,
25:12all right?
25:13I took the essential oil bottle
25:14from my clutch
25:15and threw it onto the floor.
25:16The small bottle rolled
25:17to Nico's feet.
25:18I looked into his eyes
25:20and asked,
25:20word by word,
25:21then why did you use this
25:23to set me up?
25:24The night before yesterday,
25:25when you came to my suite,
25:26I wanted to tell you
25:27our engagement was over.
25:28But you didn't let me finish.
25:30You only placed this oil bottle
25:31by my bed,
25:32said it was the best thing for sleep,
25:33told me to rest well,
25:34and left.
25:35My tone edged
25:35with bone-deep mockery.
25:37I thought it was
25:38your wedding gift to me.
25:39Even if the engagement was gone,
25:40we still grew up together.
25:42I never imagined
25:43you would use it
25:44to scheme against me
25:45and let others trample on me.
25:47Nico's face went white as paper.
25:49I continued.
25:51Every word was like
25:52an ice-tempered dagger
25:53driven into his heart.
25:55I never imagined
25:56you would stand by
25:56and watch someone
25:57take electric clippers
25:59to the hair I'd grown
26:00for 12 years
26:00and shave it all away.
26:02I raised my hand
26:03and removed the wig
26:04from my head.
26:04I placed it casually
26:06on the coffee table beside me,
26:07exposing my bare scalp
26:08and its golden stubble.
26:10The room fell instantly silent.
26:12Every family member
26:13lowered their head,
26:14not one daring to look at me.
26:16That day in my suite,
26:17weren't all of you
26:18laughing so happily
26:19at my bald head?
26:20Why don't you dare look now?
26:24And you.
26:26Do you think a woman
26:27looks good like this?
26:28Nico could not say a word.
26:29His lips trembled violently.
26:32That day,
26:32when Scarlet pretended
26:33she was going to shave
26:34her own hair,
26:35you said forcing someone
26:36to do that
26:37was a grave humiliation.
26:38you told me not
26:39to force her.
26:41Nico Morelli,
26:43do I not have dignity?
26:46Ava,
26:46I didn't mean it that way,
26:48I just...
26:48You just what?
26:50Nico opened his mouth
26:51and could not say
26:52another word.
26:53I looked at the family
26:54members in the room,
26:55then at Scarlet
26:56standing to the side
26:57and said clearly,
26:58you brought all these people
26:59back to New York
27:00from Chicago
27:00without authorization,
27:01carried heavy weapons
27:02illegally,
27:03and used family-controlled
27:04drugs without permission.
27:05Nico Morelli,
27:06do you know
27:07what charges those are?
27:08I bent down,
27:09picked up the oil bottle
27:10from the floor
27:11and held it in my palm.
27:13This addictive
27:13in this bottle
27:14is a family-issued
27:15controlled drug.
27:18Once the commission
27:19investigates,
27:19they'll know exactly
27:20where it came from
27:21and when it was made.
27:22I looked into his eyes,
27:23my tone calm
27:24but filled with pressure.
27:25Nico, wait
27:26and explain yourself
27:27to the commission.
27:28Explain why you didn't
27:29receive the announcement
27:29letter I sent.
27:30Explain why you violated
27:31the ceasefire agreement
27:32and left your post
27:33without permission.
27:34Explain why you used
27:35family-controlled drugs
27:36without authorization.
27:39Nico completely panicked.
27:41Ava, you can't do this.
27:44Everything I did
27:45was for you.
27:46I said nothing
27:47and looked at him coldly.
27:49His eyes were so red
27:50they seemed about to bleed.
27:51I drove day and night
27:53with the brothers
27:53for four days
27:54and four nights,
27:55breaking through
27:56two blockades
27:57to get back here.
27:58All for you.
28:00I wanted to make it
28:01back before the wedding.
28:02I wanted to marry you
28:03in person.
28:04I was afraid you'd be
28:05anxious waiting in New York.
28:08So you rushed back
28:09to shave my head bald?
28:12I continued exposing him
28:14without mercy.
28:17So you couldn't wait
28:18to roll into bed
28:18with Scarlet?
28:23Nico Moralti,
28:24when you say that out loud,
28:25don't you find yourself
28:26ridiculous?
28:31Ava, I truly did it
28:32all for you.
28:33If I didn't care about you,
28:34why would I come all this way?
28:35From Chicago to New York,
28:37we destroyed three SUVs.
28:38The brothers went
28:39three days and nights
28:40without closing their eyes.
28:41Enough.
28:41Everyone froze
28:42at the sudden voice.
28:48A hidden door behind the bookcase
28:50slowly opened.
28:51A man in a gray
28:52three-piece suit
28:53stepped out.
28:53The family ring on his hand
28:55declaring his extremely
28:56high rank.
28:57It was Mr. Lorenzo,
28:58the commission's legal counsel.
29:00The room fell silent.
29:01Nico's face turned ashen
29:02as a corpse.
29:03His body went weak,
29:04his head dropped,
29:05and he could no longer
29:06hold himself like the heir
29:07of the Morati family.
29:08Mr. Lorenzo looked at Nico,
29:10his tone icy.
29:11What an heir of the Morati family.
29:14Mr. Lorenzo did not speak loudly,
29:16yet everyone in the room
29:17trembled like leaves.
29:18Abandon your post
29:19without permission,
29:20just disregarding the rules.
29:22How impressive.
29:23Mr. Lorenzo's gaze
29:24sweat across the room.
29:25He merely raised his hand.
29:27A team of enforcements
29:28in black suits
29:29immediately surged in
29:30from outside,
29:30filling half the room
29:31in a dark mass.
29:32All persons involved
29:33in violating the ceasefire agreement
29:34and suspected illegal
29:35possession of weapons
29:36are to be taken away
29:37and held separately
29:37for investigation.
29:38The family members
29:39on the floor
29:40exploded into panic.
29:42Consigliere,
29:43please give us
29:44one more chance.
29:45Consigliere,
29:46we followed Boss Nico back.
29:48He gave the order.
29:49Please show mercy.
29:51The enforcers didn't care.
29:53Two men stepped forward
29:54for each person,
29:55called the family members up,
29:57and dragged them out.
29:58Cries and pleas
29:59instantly filled the room.
30:01Some sobbed loudly.
30:02Some reached for the hem
30:03of my dress,
30:04only to be kicked away
30:05by an enforcer.
30:06I watched them get dragged
30:07out one by one.
30:08Soon,
30:08half the room was empty.
30:09Mr. Lorenzo's gaze
30:11landed on Scarlet.
30:12Scarlet's face
30:13had gone bloodless.
30:14Malicious assault,
30:15humiliation of an allied
30:16family's daughter,
30:17suspected authorized
30:18use of family equipment,
30:19and abandoning your post.
30:21Under family law,
30:22what should the punishment be?
30:25Consigliere,
30:26give me one more chance!
30:28I earned merits in Chicago.
30:30I saved Nico three times!
30:33Merit gives you the right
30:34to ignore family law?
30:35Merit gives you the right
30:36to break into someone else's residence
30:38and shave her head,
30:39using past service
30:40as arrogance
30:41and disregarding the rules.
30:42Under the law,
30:43what should that merit earn you?
30:45Scarlet opened her mouth
30:46and finally could not
30:47say another word.
30:48Mr. Lorenzo didn't even look at her
30:50as he ordered the enforcers.
30:51Strip her of family status
30:52and expel her
30:53from the organization.
30:54Also, send her information
30:55to every rival family.
30:57Let her fend for herself.
30:59Scarlet's face
30:59lost every trace of color.
31:02Scarlet screamed
31:03and lunged from the floor,
31:04grabbing the hem
31:05of my wedding dress.
31:06Ava!
31:07Miss Russell!
31:09Mrs. Costello!
31:10I was wrong!
31:11I was really wrong!
31:12I shouldn't have shaved your hair!
31:13I shouldn't have said those things!
31:15I'll shave my head too!
31:16I'll do it right now!
31:17Scarlet pulled the clipper
31:18from behind her waist
31:19and tried to shove it
31:20into my hand.
31:21You shave it!
31:22Shave my hair as much as you want!
31:24Throw me out!
31:24Don't let them kill me!
31:26I did not take it.
31:27I let the clipper clatter
31:28to the floor.
31:28I looked down at her,
31:29my tongue flat.
31:30Miss Scarlet.
31:31Family rules stand above everything.
31:33There are no exceptions.
31:35Scarlet froze.
31:36I stepped back,
31:37pulled my dress heel
31:38from her hands
31:39and spoke with bone-deep mockery.
31:40Just now you said
31:41my skill at playing men
31:42was no different
31:43from a social climber's.
31:44Then what do you call
31:45this begging on your knees?
31:47Scarlet trembled all over
31:49and could not say a word.
31:50The enforcer stepped forward
31:52and hauled her up
31:52from the floor.
31:53As she was dragged out,
31:55she kept looking back at me.
31:56The expression in her eyes
31:57shifted from pleading
31:58to venom
31:59and finally
32:00to complete despair.
32:01From beginning to end,
32:02Nico never raised his head
32:04to look at Scarlet once.
32:05Mr. Lorenzo glanced at him
32:06and gave a cold order.
32:07Nico Moretti is suspected
32:09of violating family law,
32:10abusing family resources,
32:11abandoning his post
32:12without permission,
32:13and unlawful entry
32:14into a private residence.
32:16Take him to the underground
32:17holding room
32:17to await further investigation
32:18and judgment
32:19by the commissioner.
32:20The enforcers stepped forward
32:22and hauled Nico up.
32:23As they dragged him
32:23toward the door,
32:24he suddenly looked back at me
32:26and called my name
32:26in a hoarse shout.
32:28Ava!
32:30I did not answer him.
32:31I didn't even give him a glance.
32:33Nico still wanted
32:34to say something,
32:35but the enforcers
32:36had already dragged him out.
32:38The room finally fell quiet.
32:39Mr. Lorenzo looked at me,
32:41his tone softening slightly.
32:42Mrs. Costello,
32:43you have suffered an injustice.
32:45I shook my head.
32:45Thank you, consigliere,
32:47for enforcing the law fairly.
32:48I don't feel wrong.
32:49Mr. Lorenzo nodded,
32:51said nothing more,
32:52and left with the enforcers.
32:53Damien stood outside the door,
32:55leaning against a column.
32:56He was playing
32:56with a gold coin in his hand.
32:58All handled?
32:59When he saw me come out,
33:01he put it away
33:01and asked with a smile.
33:03I nodded.
33:04He looked at me
33:05and suddenly laughed.
33:06I thought you'd go soft
33:07one more time.
33:08I looked up at him.
33:09What do you mean?
33:10Nico Moretti.
33:12If you'd softened just now
33:14and pleaded for him,
33:16Lorenzo might have gone easier on him.
33:17I looked into his eyes
33:18and said every word clearly.
33:20I won't.
33:22I understood the gesture
33:23he gave me earlier.
33:24It meant Lorenzo was in the reception room,
33:26monitoring the entire conversation.
33:28That was why I was startled.
33:30But the moment I decided
33:31to come out and see Nico,
33:32I had already prepared
33:33to ruin him beyond recovery.
33:35Because I hated him.
33:37I hated him for trampling the heart
33:39I had offered him with both hands.
33:42And I hated him even more
33:43for grinding my dignity
33:45under his feet again and again.
33:47If I had not turned around
33:48and married Damien Costello,
33:50those two shabby black cars today
33:52would have been taking me
33:53to the Moretzi house
33:54to become a shadow
33:55hidden from the light.
33:56I looked at the distant night view
33:57of the estate
33:58and repeated it again.
33:59I will never go soft on him again.
34:02For the next few days,
34:04the Costello estate
34:04closed its doors to guests.
34:06People from the Moretzi family
34:07came several times to beg me,
34:09but the bodyguards
34:10stopped them outside the gates.
34:11That day,
34:12I was sunning myself
34:13in the courtyard
34:14when the butler came to report
34:15that Nico Moretzi's mother
34:16was waiting outside
34:17the estate gates
34:18and refused to leave.
34:20I sighed and got up
34:21to walk to the entrance.
34:22Isabella Moretzi
34:23stood on the stone steps,
34:24her hair dishempled,
34:25her eyes swell in red
34:26like walnuts.
34:27When she saw me come out,
34:28she rushed forward
34:29and grabbed my arm.
34:30Mrs. Costello!
34:31Mrs. Costello, please!
34:33For the sake of the bond
34:34you had growing up together,
34:35save Nico!
34:36Mrs. Costello,
34:37you and Nico
34:38were childhood sweethearts.
34:39You grew up together.
34:41When he was 11,
34:42he bought children
34:43from another family for you.
34:45Have you forgotten?
34:46I looked down at Isabella,
34:48my tone flat.
34:49I haven't forgotten.
34:50Isabella lifted her head,
34:52hope flashing in her eyes.
34:54Then you...
34:54I cut her off directly.
34:56I also haven't forgotten
34:57how he protected Scarlet
34:58and scolded me
34:59for lacking grace
35:00when Scarlet shaved my head.
35:02Isabella froze.
35:03I also haven't forgotten
35:04how he accused me
35:05of being unreasonable
35:06when he wanted me
35:06to enter the Moretti house
35:08quietly as an accessory.
35:10Isabella's face
35:10went white instantly.
35:12Nico may have been foolish,
35:13but your Moretti family
35:14never showed me
35:15even a shred of sincerity,
35:16did you?
35:17Since you looked down
35:17on me from the start,
35:19why come beg on that?
35:20I said...
35:22Mrs. Marotti, go home.
35:23Isabella's tears
35:24surged again.
35:25But Mrs. Costolo,
35:26Nico truly loves you.
35:27He was only...
35:28He was only blinded
35:29by that bitch Scarlet.
35:30I said...
35:31Rules are rules.
35:33The family's code of silence
35:34does not make
35:35allowances for sentiment.
35:36Isabella's words
35:37caught in her throat
35:38instantly.
35:39I stepped back
35:39and pulled my wrist
35:40from her hand.
35:41Safe travels, Mrs. Marotti.
35:42I turned and entered
35:43the estate gates.
35:46Behind me came
35:47Isabella's heartbroken cries,
35:48but I no longer cared.
35:50That night,
35:51Damien came to my suite.
35:52He sat across from me,
35:53watching as I removed my wig
35:55and revealed the golden stubble
35:57that had already begun
35:58to grow on my head.
35:59You're surprisingly
35:59at ease with it.
36:00Damien spoke,
36:01his tone carrying
36:02a trace of admiration.
36:03I touched my scalp
36:04and smiled faith.
36:05It'll grow back.
36:06I'm still curious.
36:07Damien leaned back
36:08in his chair
36:08and spoke lazily.
36:09How did you give up
36:10on Nico Moretti
36:11completely overnight?
36:12My hand paused.
36:14I thought I would have
36:15to wait much longer.
36:16I turned to look at him,
36:17confused.
36:18Wait?
36:19What do you mean?
36:20His eyes were serious,
36:21without the slightest hint
36:22of a joke,
36:23as he said each word clearly.
36:25I mean I've loved you
36:26for a very long time.
36:27I froze.
36:28The wig nearly slipped
36:29from my hand.
36:30On your 17th birthday,
36:31when Nico proposed to you
36:32with the family ring
36:33I was at that party,
36:35back then I thought,
36:36that's it.
36:37I have no chance.
36:38Later,
36:38he went to Chicago
36:39and you waited quietly
36:40for him in New York
36:41for four years.
36:42Then I thought,
36:43that's it.
36:44Your heart only
36:44has room for him.
36:46and then you called me
36:47on an encrypted line
36:48and asked if I dared
36:49marry you.
36:50That night,
36:51I was happy
36:52I didn't sleep at all.
36:53Damien smiled,
36:54his eyes full of tenderness.
36:56I've been waiting,
36:58waiting for the day
36:58you finally gave up on him.
37:00I opened my mouth
37:01and could not speak
37:01for a long time.
37:03Then what if I had
37:04stayed foolish to the end
37:05and insisted on
37:06marrying Nico Moretti?
37:07Wouldn't you have
37:08waited for nothing?
37:09Damien raised a brow,
37:10his tone carrying
37:11a bit of dominating
37:11ruggishness.
37:12Even it meant
37:13that going to war
37:14with the Morettis
37:14and turning his wedding
37:15upside down,
37:16I would have taken you away.
37:18His words left me speechless.
37:19I shot him a reproachful look.
37:21You,
37:22that's bandit behavior.
37:24He laughed,
37:25his eyes curving with it.
37:27Stealing a bride?
37:28Who's going to strip me
37:29of my godfather's seat
37:30for that?
37:32I couldn't help
37:32the curve of my lips.
37:34Damien's smile faded.
37:35He looked at me seriously
37:36and gently touched
37:37the short golden
37:38struggle on my head,
37:38his movement
37:39impossibly tender.
37:41Ava,
37:42from now on
37:43no one will ever
37:44make you wait again.
37:45Before your hair grows back,
37:47I've had a Paris
37:47Costure Atelier
37:48make more than
37:49twenty wigs for you
37:50in different styles.
37:51With matching jewelry,
37:53you can wear
37:54a different one
37:54every day.
37:55Look at the tenders
37:56in his eyes.
37:57My own eyes
37:57too early warmed
37:58and I couldn't help
37:59smiling.
38:00Outside the window,
38:01the city lights glittered,
38:02reflecting the tenderness
38:04in the room.
38:04Chicago's cold wind
38:05could not reach
38:06this little courtyard.
38:07From now on,
38:08there would be
38:09no more cold.
38:09The first time
38:11Damien Costello
38:12saw Ava Russell
38:13was at her
38:13twelfth birthday party.
38:14That day,
38:15the roses at the
38:16Long Island estate
38:16were in perfect bloom.
38:18Ava wore a white
38:18floral dress,
38:19her blonde hair
38:20braided into a
38:20fishtail brain
38:21that fell to her waist
38:22and held a newborn
38:23rabble kitten in her arms,
38:24smiling until her eyes
38:25curved like crescent moons.
38:27Damien was fifteen
38:28that year
38:28and had already been
38:29learning family affairs
38:30at his father's side
38:31for two years.
38:32He had seen too many
38:32heiresses smiling falsely,
38:34too many socialites
38:35deliberately pleasing
38:35the powerful.
38:36But Ava was different.
38:37She ran across the lawn
38:39with the kitten in her arms
38:40and accidentally
38:40bumped into him.
38:42She looked up at him,
38:43neither apologizing
38:44nor panicking,
38:45only tilting her head
38:46to ask,
38:47Who are you?
38:48I haven't seen you before.
38:51Damien Costello.
38:52She nodded,
38:52as if she had heard
38:53the name,
38:54or perhaps as if she hadn't,
38:55then stuffed the kitten
38:56into his arms.
38:57Hold this for me.
38:58I'm going to get cake.
39:00Then she ran off.
39:01Damien stood on the lawn,
39:02holding the soft
39:03ragball kitten,
39:04stunned for several seconds.
39:06When the bodyguard
39:06behind him tried
39:07to step forward
39:08and take it,
39:08he waved him off
39:09and stood there himself
39:10waiting for a full 10 minutes.
39:12When Ava came back with cake
39:13and saw him still standing there,
39:14she paused.
39:15You're still here?
39:16You told me to hold your cat.
39:17Ava blinked,
39:18then suddenly laughed.
39:21You're kind of interesting.
39:22That night,
39:23after Damien returned home,
39:25he sat at his desk,
39:26opened a new notebook,
39:27and wrote a line
39:28on the first page.
39:29Ava Russell,
39:2912 years old,
39:30Long Island Estate,
39:31ragdoll kitten.
39:32He told no one.
39:33From that day on,
39:35every move he made,
39:36every negotiation he entered,
39:38every territory he expanded,
39:39was quietly paving a path for her.
39:41On her 17th birthday,
39:42Nico Moretti took out
39:43the family ring
39:44and promised himself
39:45to go in front of everyone.
39:47Damien stood in the corner
39:48of the banquet hall,
39:49holding a glass of champagne
39:50he never touched,
39:51watching Ava blush and nod
39:52with a face full of joy.
39:54His own face showed no flaw.
39:55After the banquet ended,
39:57he returned to his car,
39:58took that notebook
39:58out of the glove box,
40:00opened it to the first page,
40:01and stared at that line
40:02for a long time.
40:03Then he closed the notebook,
40:05shut his eyes,
40:06and spoke in a voice
40:07only he could hear.
40:08That's it.
40:08No chance.
40:09During the four years
40:11Nico Moretti spent in Chicago,
40:12Damien never once
40:13stopped paying attention
40:14to that city.
40:15He sent three groups
40:16of informants
40:17into Chicago's
40:18underground forces,
40:19not to target
40:20the Moretti family,
40:21but to ensure Ava's safety,
40:23even though she knew
40:24nothing about it.
40:25Boss,
40:26Moretti's expansion
40:27in Chicago is going smoothly,
40:29but Scar Volante
40:30has more and more
40:31influence at his side.
40:32She pushed out
40:33two of Moretti's old men.
40:34She's already
40:35Nico's most trusted person.
40:37Damien sat in his office,
40:39turning a gold coin
40:40in his hand.
40:41After hearing the report,
40:43he was silent
40:43for a long time.
40:46Has Ava been to Chicago
40:48once?
40:48She took the Russell family jet,
40:50but Morelli barely saw her
40:52and spent most of his time
40:53in the war room.
40:53Scar even put a note
40:55on the war room door
40:56that said,
40:56Said what?
40:58The informant hesitated.
41:00Ava, Russell, and dogs,
41:02no entry.
41:03The gold coin
41:04in Damien's hand
41:05snapped down
41:06onto the desk.
41:07Boss, should we...
41:08No.
41:09The man she chose
41:11is hers to face.
41:14Unless she asks,
41:16I don't interfere.
41:17Not interfering
41:18didn't mean he didn't know.
41:19During those four years,
41:21he had people compile
41:21a monthly report on Ava
41:23and deliver it to his desk.
41:24The reports listed
41:25which charity daners
41:26she attended,
41:27what new books she bought,
41:28which galleries she visited,
41:30and even what flowers
41:31she planted in the estate.
41:32Damien locked those reports
41:34in the drawer of his study
41:35and never let anyone
41:36touch them.
41:37One night,
41:38his mother walked
41:38into the study
41:39and saw him staring
41:40out the window.
41:41A report lay open
41:42on the di...
41:42With a photo of Ava Rustler's
41:43attending a dinner
41:44attached to it.
41:45You still can't let her go?
41:46Damien said nothing.
41:48She's engaged
41:49to the Moretti family.
41:50Waiting for her
41:51is waiting for nothing.
41:52I know.
41:55But I can't help it.
41:57That night at 11.40pm,
41:59Damien had just finished
42:00a six-hour negotiation
42:01with the Philadelphia family
42:02and returned to his room
42:03to shower.
42:04It was an infonering number.
42:05He answered.
42:06The other end
42:07was silent for two seconds
42:08and then he heard
42:09Ava's voice.
42:10It was not the clear,
42:11laughing girl's voice
42:12in his memory.
42:13It was horny
42:14and exhausted
42:15as if something
42:15had crushed it
42:16over and over.
42:17Damien.
42:19Yes.
42:20Do you remember
42:21what you once told me?
42:24Damien's heightened slightly.
42:26He had said
42:26too many things to her.
42:27Almost every time
42:28he saw her
42:29he would say
42:30one or two lines
42:30that seemed casual
42:31but had actually
42:32been weighed
42:33countless times.
42:34He didn't know
42:34which one she meant.
42:35Which one?
42:36Ava was silent
42:37for a few seconds.
42:38Then she said
42:39word by word.
42:40You said
42:41if one day
42:42you need a better choice
42:43than Nico Morani
42:43I'll always be here.
42:45Damien's fingers
42:46turned white
42:46around the phone.
42:47He did not speak.
42:49Not because he didn't want to
42:50but because he was afraid
42:51his voice would shake
42:52the moment he opened his mouth.
42:54I'm here.
42:56Another silence followed.
42:57Then Ava said
42:58I'm changing the crew.
42:59Do you dare marry me?
43:00That night
43:01Damien Costello
43:02truly did not sleep at all.
43:03He wasn't hesitating.
43:05He had no hesitation
43:06whatsoever.
43:06He was planning.
43:07By four o'clock
43:08the next morning
43:09he was already sitting
43:10at his desk
43:10drafting the two marriage contracts
43:12to be witnessed
43:13by the commission.
43:13Before dawn
43:15he had called the heads
43:16of four families
43:17in New York
43:17Boston
43:18Philadelphia
43:19and Baltimore
43:20telling them
43:20that the Costello family
43:21was holding a wedding
43:22and the bride was Ava Russell
43:23the only daughter
43:24of the Russell family.
43:25No one objected
43:26not because they didn't dare
43:27but because in the
43:28East Coast underworld
43:29no one had ever been able
43:30to take what Damien Costello
43:32wanted
43:32except Ava Russell.
43:33He had waited seven years
43:35and she had finally asked.
43:36From the moment
43:37he decided to marry Ava
43:38Damien treated the wedding
43:40like a battle
43:41not because he wanted
43:42to show off
43:43but because he knew
43:44Nico Moretti
43:45would not let it go.
43:46Raise the wedding security
43:48level to the highest.
43:49Within a two kilometer
43:51radius of the Long Island
43:52estate
43:52every high point
43:54gets a sniper.
43:56On the wedding day
43:57anyone without an invitation
43:59who approaches the estate
44:01is to be restrained
44:02immediately.
44:05Boss
44:06Nico Moretti is still in Chicago
44:08but he will definitely come back.
44:10If he follows the ceasefire agreement
44:12he can only bring a few people.
44:14If he doesn't
44:14Damien paused
44:16his eyes turning cold.
44:17Even better.
44:18Two days before the wedding
44:19he sent Nico Moretti
44:21the annulled letter
44:22Ava had signed
44:23with her own hand.
44:24He sent two copies
44:25one through formal channels
44:27and one by private courier
44:28directly to Nico's safe house
44:30in Chicago.
44:31Did Nico receive it or not?
44:33It doesn't matter.
44:35What he wanted
44:35was a legitimate reason.
44:37If Nico received
44:38the annullsment letter
44:39and still abandoned his post
44:41to rush it back to New York
44:42that was contempt for the rules.
44:44If he didn't receive it
44:45that was his own problem.
44:47Either way
44:47Damien had already won
44:49but there was one thing
44:50he had me calculated.
44:51On the wedding day
44:52Damien wore a handmade white suit
44:54and stood at the estate gates
44:56waiting for his bride.
44:57He had imagined this moment
44:58countless times.
44:59Ava in white too
45:00her blonde hair
45:01like a waterfall
45:02walking out from behind
45:03the iron gates
45:04sunlight falling over her
45:05so beautiful
45:06she didn't seem real.
45:07The iron gates opened
45:08Ava came out
45:09the white gown was beautiful
45:10her posture was upright
45:12elegant and noble
45:13but Damien's gaze
45:14fell almost instinctively
45:15on her head
45:16a wig
45:16he recognized it at a glance
45:18not because the wig was poor
45:20it was the finest custom wig
45:21from Italy
45:22hand woven
45:22every strand
45:23carefully selected
45:24on her head
45:25it was almost flawless
45:26but Damien had watched her
45:27for too many years.
45:29He knew the curve
45:30color
45:30and shine of her hair
45:31he knew how she liked
45:33to tuck it behind her ear
45:34he knew how her blonde hair
45:36moved when the wind blew
45:37this woman wearing a wig
45:39was not the Ava in his memory
45:40the smile on Damien's face
45:42did not change
45:42he walked forward
45:44extended his hand
45:45and spoke in a warm
45:46proper voice
45:47are you ready?
45:48Ava glanced at him
45:49and nodded lightly
45:50she placed her fingers
45:51in his palm
45:52in that instant
45:53Damien felt her fingertips
45:54trembling mightily
45:55he said nothing
45:56he only held her tighter
45:57after the wedding ceremony
45:58ended
45:59he had people investigated
46:00two hours later
46:02the report was placed
46:03on his desk
46:03Nico Moretti
46:04Scarlet Scarvalanti
46:06seductive in the essential oil
46:08electric clippers
46:09blonde hair
46:10all over the floor
46:11after reading the report
46:12Damien was silent
46:14for a long time
46:15then he picked up
46:16the desk phone
46:17and dialed a number
46:18Mr. Lorenzo
46:19I need a favor
46:21it wasn't that Damien Costello
46:23had never killed anyone
46:23when he was 16
46:25he personally watched
46:26his father order
46:26the execution of a traitor
46:27for the first time
46:28the man knelt
46:29on the concrete floor
46:30of the warehouse
46:31crying so hard
46:32his whole body shook
46:33shouting
46:33I was wrong
46:34and give me one more chance
46:35his father did not
46:36look at the man
46:37he only said one thing
46:38to Damien
46:39in our line of work
46:40softness gets you killed
46:41Damien remembered
46:42for 20 years
46:44he had never gone soft
46:45but that night
46:46when Ava walked out
46:47of the reception room
46:48and he leaned against
46:49the column asking
46:50I thought you'd go soft
46:51one more time
46:52she looked into his eyes
46:53and said every word clearly
46:54I will never go soft
46:56on him again
46:57Damien looked into her eyes
46:59there were no tears in them
47:00no hatred
47:01not even resentment
47:02only a quiet
47:03final resolve
47:04as if something
47:05had already been turned over
47:06he suddenly thought
47:07of the way she looked
47:08seven years ago
47:09on the lawn
47:09holding a rag doll kitten
47:10and smiling
47:11until her eyes curved
47:12like crescent moons
47:13that girl was gone
47:14the woman standing before him
47:16had been shaved bald
47:17humiliated
47:18and betrayed
47:18yet still kept her back
47:19straight
47:20and her head high
47:21as she walked out
47:21of that room
47:22Damien smiled
47:23it wasn't triumph
47:24it wasn't relief
47:25it was something complicated
47:27something even he
47:28could not explain
47:29he reached out
47:30and gently touched
47:31the wig on her head
47:32before your hair grows back
47:34I've had a Paris Kutuli
47:35make more than 20 wigs
47:37for you in different styles
47:38with matching jewelry
47:39you can wear a different
47:40one every day
47:41Ava paused
47:42then smiled
47:43the smile was faint
47:44different from the smile
47:45she had worn at 12
47:46while holding the rag doll
47:47kitten
47:47but Damien thought
47:48it was the most beautiful smile
47:49he had ever seen in his life
47:51it's alright
47:52when her hair grows back
47:54when the wound in her heart
47:56slowly heals
47:56when one day
47:58she can smile again
47:59the way she did at 12
48:00he will always be here
48:02three months later
48:03Ava's hair had grown
48:04to ear length
48:05the golden stubble
48:06had become soft
48:07lying against the curve
48:08of her ears
48:08and making her face
48:09look even smaller
48:10she only wore the wigs
48:11Damien ordered from Paris
48:13once
48:13I don't want to wear them anymore
48:15this is fine
48:16it's pretty good
48:18Damien glanced at her
48:19and said nothing
48:20he put the 20 plus wigs
48:22into a wardrobe cabinet
48:23then had the matching jewels
48:24reset into everyday pieces
48:26and had the butler
48:27place them on her venery
48:28every morning
48:29one night
48:29Ava was reading in his studio
48:31and accidentally
48:32pulled open the locked drawer
48:33she saw the notebook
48:34she opened it
48:36to the first page
48:37Ava Russell
48:3812 years old
48:39Long Island estate
48:40rag doll kitten
48:42she froze
48:43she kept turning the pages
48:45Ava 13
48:46birthday party
48:47wearing a pink dress
48:47a white rose
48:48tucked into her hair
48:49Ava 14
48:50sent to Switzerland
48:51for school
48:52plane departed
48:52from Kennedy Airport
48:53weather clear
48:54Ava 15
48:55first family dinner
48:56a little nervous
48:57but performed very well
48:58Ava 16
48:59returned from Switzerland
49:00a little tanned
49:02but smiling happier
49:03than before she left
49:04Ava 17
49:05birthday
49:05Nico Moretti
49:06proposed
49:07she said yes
49:08after that line
49:09there was a period
49:10then she turned the page
49:11the handwriting was new
49:13the ink a different color
49:14clearly written later
49:15Ava 20
49:16waiting for Nico Moretti
49:18in New York
49:18I am still waiting
49:20Ava 21
49:21went to an art gallery alone
49:22I went too
49:23she didn't see me
49:24Ava 22
49:25the Russell family
49:26began urging her to marry
49:28she still refused
49:29to pressure Nico
49:29she is stubborn
49:30Ava 23
49:32she called me
49:32Ava 23
49:33she married me
49:34under that final line
49:35there was a small star
49:37Ava held the notebook
49:38and sat on the study carpet
49:40her tears fell
49:41one by one
49:42onto the page
49:42blurring that little star
49:45when Damien
49:46pushed the door open
49:47this was what he saw
49:48he froze for a second
49:49then walked over
49:50crouched down
49:51gently took the notebook
49:52from her hands
49:52closed it
49:53and placed it aside
49:54who told you to go
49:55through my things
49:55Ava raised her head
49:56and looked at him
49:57her eyes red
49:58her voice a little hoarse
49:59why didn't you tell me
50:00tell you what
50:02that I've liked you
50:03since you were 12
50:04that's too embarrassing
50:05Ava was choked
50:06by his words
50:07torn between crying
50:08and laughing
50:08weren't you afraid
50:09I would really marry Nico
50:10Damien looked at her
50:11and suddenly smiled
50:12there was no triumph
50:13in that smile
50:14no bitterness
50:14only something quiet
50:15and tender like moonlight
50:16I was
50:18but I was more afraid
50:20you would regret it
50:20Ava froze
50:21Damien reached out
50:23and tucked a loose strand
50:24of hair behind her ear
50:25his touch so gentle
50:26it was as if he feared
50:27breaking something
50:28if you chose someone else
50:30that was your freedom
50:31but if you chose me
50:33I would always be here
50:35Ava's tears fell again
50:37she buried her face
50:38in his chest
50:39and muttered
50:39Damien Costello
50:41you really are an idiot
50:42Damien held her
50:43lowered his head
50:44and kissed the top
50:46of her hair
50:46his voice low
50:47and smiling
50:50I know
50:50outside the window
50:51the night wind
50:52over the Long Island estate
50:53was gentle
50:54and the distant city lights
50:56glittered
50:56she had lost the blonde hair
50:57that symbolized her status
50:59but she had found someone
51:00willing to wait
51:0112 years for her
51:02for the rest of her life
51:03there would be no more cold
51:04Thank you