#shortstory #ShortDrama #AImovie #fulldrama #RomanceDrama
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:02A two-year anniversary, Luca invited a bunch of hometown friends over for dinner after some wine, Vivian spoke first
00:07during the game, in Italian.
00:08Oh, ha avuto una relazione segreta con qualcuno qui presente.
00:12Everyone burst out laughing. Luca didn't move his glass. He answered softly in Italian.
00:16Anche io ci sono passato.
00:18Under the table, Vivian lightly touched his shoe.
00:20Parla più piano. Si sederà accanti a te.
00:24Lei è una persona di fuori, non capende.
00:28What are you talking about?
00:30Your friend said he's seeing someone. Everyone's teasing him.
00:34But Luca never knew that I lived in Sicily with my mother as a kid. I spoke Italian before English.
00:41If you like it, eat more. You've always loved this flavor, right?
00:44Vivian was laughing and switched back to Italian.
00:46Luca, la tua ragazza è davvero facile da ingannare. Giochiamo senza di lei e lei non si arragna le mani
00:50un po'.
00:52Luca answered in Italian.
00:54Ha proprio questo carattere.
00:56Crede a tutto quello che le dicono e resta chiusata come una pietra.
00:59The tone was a kind of disdain and mockery I had never heard before.
01:02Vivian stretched out her foot under the table and slowly rubbed his leg.
01:04Allora, ieri si rari da me. Come mai non ti sei annato con me?
01:07Quando ti metti a tormentare gli altri non finisce mai.
01:09Hai così tanti modi. Quasi mi fai sfacciare.
01:12The whole table burst into knowing you after.
01:15Eh, Elena è ancora qui.
01:17Che cosa c'è da temere? Tanto non capine.
01:19La pietra.
01:22Che cosa c'è?
01:23back to me, his eyes were soft and warm. Babe, they're telling a joke from back home. I'm
01:27listening. I swallowed my disgust and nodded. Really? Must be funny. Looking at his gentle
01:37face, I remembered when we first got together. Back then, he'd study my way of speaking on
01:42his phone, afraid I'd feel like an outsider in his world. He held me tight and said seriously,
01:47Babe, I'll never make you feel like an outsider in my world. I was so moved back then. To
01:55protect his ridiculous so-called thoughtfulness, I hid the fact that I knew Italian. But now
01:59that language had become the secret code for him to cheat with another woman right in front
02:02of me. You look pale. Are you okay? I'm fine. Just hot. I'll go to the bathroom.
02:16The moment I closed the door, I leaned over the sink and readied.
02:21I looked at my messy reflection. Then my eyes landed on the shelf care bottles, half hidden,
02:25was a torn square wrapper. It still smelled like Luca's cologne. I closed my eyes, took a breath,
02:32flushed it down, and canceled next week's Miami tickets with Luca. Then I opened a chat I hadn't
02:37touched in a long time. Enzo, make arrangements. I'm coming back to New York. To our Luca, may he be
02:44this happy every day. When I walked back, he casually took my arm. What took so long? I missed
02:52you. Before, I would have held his hand. But now, smelling the alcohol on him, I just felt sick.
02:57Nothing. Just a phone call. I gently pulled my arm away. Elena, you're so considerate, taking work
03:04calls even at dinner. Statera, non me ne vaggo. Vieni in camera da letto a cercarmi quando lei
03:10si sarà addormentata. Perché così di fretta? Appena la faccio addormermare, vengo. Ricorda
03:14di lasciare la porta chiusa. Luca squeezed my thigh under the table, but replied in Italian.
03:18Two years of love, just like this cold dinner. Decent on the surface, disgusting underneath.
03:23Late night, after dinner, Vivian patted my shoulder. I drank too much to drive. Mind if I crash
03:27here? No problem. The guest room sheets were just changed. Elena's always so generous.
03:31She seemed surprised I agreed so easily. Luca quickly chimed in. He tried to kiss me
03:36out of habit, but I turned away. I'll clean up. With the kitchen water running, I heard
03:46a very soft door close outside, then Luca's lowered voice. Go shower first. I'll come later.
03:52After doing the dishes, my phone buzzed. A message from Enzo. Finally came to your senses.
03:57I'll handle the paperwork. Come back anytime.
04:00I looked at the screen and let out a slow breath. Hearing the faint sound of water from
04:05the guest room, I went to the master bedroom and pulled out a suitcase I thought I'd never
04:08use again. The master bedroom had thin walls. From the guest room next door came muffled
04:13sounds. I sat on the edge of the bed, hands on my knees, my stomach cramping worse and
04:17worse. I gripped my phone and called Luca. It rang for a long time before he picked up,
04:22but it was Vivian's voice on the line, breathing heavily. Luca's in the shower. What do you
04:27want? She wasn't even pretending anymore. Put him on. My stomach hurts. After some rustling,
04:33Luca's impatient voice came on. Elena, what are you making a fuss about in the middle of
04:37the night? He used to worry if I so much as frowned. Now I could barely stand from pain
04:43and he just thought I was being dramatic. Elena. Luca, my leg is cramping. Are you doing
04:47this on purpose? It's just dinner. Take some medicine. I can't leave right now.
04:53I forced myself into a coat. When I left, Vivian's shameless laughter seeped through
04:58the guest room door. I stumbled to the hospital. The ER doctor frowned.
05:04Acute gastric bleeding. Where's your family? No family. I can handle it myself. Cold fluids
05:10dripped into my vein. I took out my phone and refunded the custom necklace I'd planned
05:14to give him for our anniversary. Then I transferred all my savings into the overseas account Enzi had
05:18sent me. The screen lit up. A message from Lika. Vivian wasn't feeling well, so I went
05:23to check on her. Sorry, I was harsh earlier. Two years ago, he'd feel guilty just glancing
05:28at someone else. Now, fresh from another woman's bed, he could still call me babe without flinching.
05:32I didn't reply. I silenced and turned off my phone. At dawn after the IV, I went back to
05:38that home that no longer felt like home. Luka was at the stove in an apron, wearing a smile
05:43too perfect to fault.
05:47Babe, where did you go so early?
05:49He reached to hug me, but I stepped aside. His hand froze for a second, then he asked casually,
05:54Why do you look so pale?
05:56When he came close, I smelled the body wash I'd bought him, now mixed with another woman's
06:00scent. The guest room door opened. Vivian was wearing my bathrobe, red scratches visible
06:04on her collarbone. Morning. This robe is so comfy. Luka says I look better in it than
06:08you do. Don't talk nonsense. Sei pazzo? Vai subito a cambiarti vestitili.
06:12Che cosa c'è da aver paura, tanto non campiende. Non eri così cattivo ieri sera.
06:16Watching their little show, I ignored them and walked into the master bedroom. I dug out
06:22the jewelry box from the back of the closet. Inside were the old rings he gave me when he confessed.
06:29I threw them and every gift he'd given me over two years into the trash. Enzo sends
06:34someone to pick me up, as soon as possible. After my shower, Luca had already set out
06:39breakfast. Vivian had changed back into her own clothes and sat in my seat drinking milk,
06:43totally at ease. Elena, come eat. Luca made breakfast just for you.
06:47I pulled out another chair and sat down, staring at the burnt eggs without touching them.
06:51Tonight's our two-year anniversary. I booked a restaurant and invited some friends to celebrate.
06:55He reached for my hand, but I pulled away and picked up my water glass.
06:58Okay?
07:00He visibly relaxed.
07:03Vivian stirred her coffee, her eyes dimming.
07:07Luca, if you're celebrating, I won't have much appetite alone. Mind if I join? Elena won't mind,
07:12right?
07:13That's not really appropriate. Tonight is for me and Elena.
07:17Bring her.
07:18I set down my glass and calmly cut through his act. More people, more fun. We'll fill
07:23the table. Luca blinked, then smiled with relief and put his arm around my shoulders.
07:27I knew you were the most understanding. Let's all go tonight.
07:31At 7 p.m., we arrived at the restaurant. Luca had booked the entire floor and invited a dozen
07:35friends. The moment I walked in, I felt something was off. Vivian was already there. She was wearing
07:40a tailored gown and the watch on her wrist sparkled under the lights. I recognized it immediately.
07:44A month ago, Luca had been ecstatic over an auction catalog late at night, covering my
07:48eyes and saying,
07:48Elena, I want a rare watch. Only that kind of watch is worthy of the woman I love most,
07:51worthy of our two-year anniversary.
07:53Back then, I thought I was the happiest person alive. But now that Patik Philippe,
07:56meant for his most loved, was openly on another woman's wrist.
08:00Someone greeted me awkwardly.
08:03Elena!
08:04Everyone's eyes darted between my simple white shirt and the dazzling Vivian. Luca's face darkened.
08:09He walked over quickly and demanded in a low Italian voice.
08:12How did you put it? I said it was for Elena.
08:13Allora, se le prendi in presta un orogio? Cosa ce capite di orogio? Anche se gli o metti
08:17addosso è solo uno spertio.
08:19Luca gritted his teeth and said nothing. Then he turned and smiled, pulling me to the main
08:23seat.
08:24Babe, sit down. You're the star tonight.
08:28Luca, it's your two-year anniversary. Didn't you get Elena a gift?
08:31The room went silent. Luca instinctively looked at Vivian's wrist. Vivian held her glass,
08:36smirking like she was enjoying the show. Luca cleared his throat and pulled out a small
08:39box. Inside was a ridiculously cheap watch.
08:42Of course I did. Babe, happy two years.
08:44The style was pathetic compared to the Peta Philippe. He used to cross the city to find
08:48my favorite cake. Now even his half-hearted effort felt careless. I didn't reach out. I
08:53just let him put the watch on my wrist. Anyone could see the difference. The atmosphere grew
08:57more awkward.
08:58You're fubbing Elena off with this cheap thing? She deliberately pulled up her sleeve and flashed
09:03her limited edition Peta Philippe. You didn't blink when you bought this for me. But for your
09:07girlfriend, you're this cheap? Want me to take it off and lend it to Elena for a couple
09:10days? The room fell dead silent.
09:13Vivian, shut up. What kind of occasion do you think this is?
09:17Vivian didn't back off. She leaned in even more arrogantly.
09:21Why so nervous? Feeling guilty?
09:25When you had me unable to get out of bed yesterday, you didn't think of her at all. Luca looked
09:29at me. I found it all ridiculous. This was the man I had humbled myself for, loved sincerely
09:33and compromised for again and again. Yet in front of the other woman, he couldn't even
09:36say one word to defend me.
09:37My phone buzzed softly in my hand. A message from Enzo.
09:41Miss, the cars are downstairs.
09:44I looked at the message and the weight on my chest all night finally eased. I tapped the
09:48screen and replied with two words. Come up.
09:52Then I took off that insulting cheap watch and tossed it into the plate of leftovers in front
09:56of me. Babe, what are you doing?
09:58Elena, you don't do it anymore, right? You don't really think that Luca loves you, right?
10:01She only thinks that you are easy to manipulate, easy to deceive, ready to do the favor.
10:04That's why she still keeps you with her.
10:05I looked up at her and said nothing. Seeing me silent, she got bolder, raising her wrist
10:09to show off the watch.
10:10Sai perché sta con me? Perché posso darle emozioni. E tu? Tu viri solo indorno a lui
10:14come una babysitter, servendolo senza dire una parola.
10:17Quel tuo pezzo distrutto non vale nemmeno le mie bricille. Anche per lui sei ugualmente a buon
10:21merco.
10:21I finally lifted my eyes and spoke slowly.
10:23Hai finito di parlare? Perfect. Fluent Italian. Ice cold. Vivian's smile froze instantly.
10:27Luca's hand jerked, spilling wine onto his own hand. The color drayed from his face bit by bit.
10:30You speak Italian?
10:34Vivian finally forced the words out, her voice cracking. I leaned back in my chair,
10:37looked at them, and said calmly, I understood every word from the very first sentence. Luca
10:41froze. For two years, they had said so many filthy things in front of me in Italian. The flirting,
10:46the insults, the betrayals he thought were hidden. I had heard it all. The next second,
10:51he seemed to snap out of it. He shot to his feet and attacked first.
10:54Elena, what exactly are you trying to do?
10:58You understood, but you pretended not to. You watched us talk every day. Don't you think
11:02that's twisted? No wonder you were always so easygoing. You were faking it all along.
11:06He stared at me, eyes red, as if he were the one wronged.
11:10Don't be fooled by her. She's not as innocent as she looks. She just plays sweet and harmless
11:13to keep me soft, so I'll keep supporting her.
11:15People exchanged glasses. Some began looking at me differently. Luca saw this and kept going.
11:20All these years, she's lived in my place, spent my money, used my connections to get by. Now
11:25that the truth's out, she's causing a scene to squeeze more out of me. He even laughed at the
11:29end, mocking me, or maybe just trying to feel brave. Elena, did you count on me not wanting
11:33to let go? Is that why you dare talk to me like this? Vivian caught on and immediately piled on.
11:39Oh, turns out she's just a woman who's been faking weakness and now wants to cash in during the
11:42breakup? No way, she always seems so quiet. Who knows? The quiet ones are often the most calculated.
11:47True, Luca's already been good to her. Listening to those murmurs,
11:49I suddenly smiled. Why are you smiling? Luca saw me smile and panicked even more. I slowly
11:54took out my phone, opened the photo album, enlarged a picture. It was the photo I'd taken
11:57in the bathroom last night, an open condom wrapper lying quietly by the sink. 24 hours,
12:01two boxes. When you were going at it in my bed, in my bathroom, in my home, did you remember
12:04today was our two-year anniversary? He stared at the photo, trying to defend himself, but
12:07no words came. Vivian's face changed too, but she forced a cold laugh. So what if you
12:11know? She crossed her arms and stepped forward, eyes provoking. Elena, no matter how good
12:16your act is, you still have nothing. Leave Luca, and what do you have to survive in this city?
12:23Vivian felt a chill under my gaze, but still forced to sneer. Stop acting calm. You're
12:26just some broke girl from out of town. Before she could finish, the door burst open. Six
12:30tall men in black suits stood at the door, cold and stern, blocking the entrance like
12:34a wall. At the front stood a middle-aged man with perfect hair and a dark suit. He looked
12:37calm, with the oppressive heavy air of someone used to power.
12:39Miss, the car is ready. Miss? I stood up, slowly adjusted my cuffs, and without even
12:45glancing at them, replied, Enzo? I'm here. Enzo stepped forward and finally fixed his
12:49eyes on Luca. His gaze was cold as a knife, with undisguired contempt. Mr. Luca. He pulled
12:52a document from his briefcase and tossed it on the table in front of Luca. These are the
12:55complete financial records, license guarantees, and relationship protection records. Luca
12:57looked down blankly, hands shaking as he opened the file. After just two pages, his face
13:01went completely white. His bar's initial $500,000 came from a Morelli family offshore private
13:04account. The Enzio personally went to City Hall for it. The investors he thought admired
13:07his project were just doing the Marecki family a favor. In fact, they were just showing respect
13:10to the Marecki name, because I had always stood behind him, clearing away problems he never
13:13even saw. Impossible. Luca's hands moved slower and slower until the papers slipped and scattered
13:20across the floor. No, this can't be. His voice shook, his eyes full of disbelief. Vivian stared
13:25at Enzio, then at the trained men in black, finally realizing something was very wrong.
13:29Who the hell are you people? You don't have the right to know. Then he turned to me, respectful
13:33again. Donna Landro asked me to tell you everything is ready in New York. You can
13:37go home tonight if you wish. Elena, who are you really?
13:41Elena Moretti, of the Moretti family. In every word of Italian you just said, I understood
13:46it all. The air seemed to freeze. Luca's expression shifted from shock to confusion to
13:50undertrollable fear. Vivian opened her mouth, but no words came out. In this circle, everyone
13:54knew what the name Morelli meant. Not just rich people. It was a force that even New York's
13:58underworld and high society didn't dare provoke. And they had just surrounded such a person.
14:02Luca staggered back, muttering,
14:03How? How could it be you?
14:08I looked at him and suddenly found it laughable. He wasn't sad about losing me. He was breaking
14:13down because he'd lost someone whose value he couldn't even imagine. The next second,
14:16he rushed over, grabbed my wrist, and burst into tears.
14:19Elena, let me explain. It's not what you think. I was just, I was stupid. The one I love
14:22is you. I really love you.
14:23He held on so tight his nails almost dug into my skin. I looked down at his hand and said
14:27coldly,
14:27Let go. I won't let go. You can't just leave. Elena, we had two years. You can't
14:30leave me over one impulse. Luca, are you crazy for this kind of woman?
14:34Before she could finish, two bodyguards stepped up and pinned her against the table.
14:37Let go of me. You dare touch me?
14:39Enzo finally turned and gave her a cold look. Say one more word and you won't walk out
14:42that door. Vivian froze and shut her mouth. The room was terrifyingly quiet. I raised my
14:46hand and pied Luca's fingers off one by one. Crying, he tried to lunge at me again,
14:49but the bodyguards blocked him. Elena, don't go. Give me one more chance. I know I was wrong.
14:52I'll listen to you from now on. I don't want anything else. Just you. I looked at him without a
14:55flicker
14:55of emotion. Your mistake wasn't cheating. Your mistake was choosing to let me go to the hospital
14:58alone when I needed you most. The moment you hung up that call, we were over. His lips trembled,
15:02tears falling, as if he finally understood. He truly lost me last night. When I was in too much
15:06pain to speak, he was holding another woman and calling me a bother. I stopped looking at him
15:09and turned to leave. Enzo and the bodyguards followed. Behind me, Luca's cries were close
15:12to breaking. Elena, come back. You can't do this to me. You love me. I didn't stop. The elevator
15:17doors slowly closed, cutting off his voice. Downstairs, a long line of black cars was waiting. I got in
15:22and the door opened the door of the first car. Miss, the private jet leaves in two hours straight
15:26to New York. I sank into the leather seat, closed my eyes, and after a long moment let out a
15:30slow
15:30breath. Two years, just consider it feeding a dog. I took out my phone, blocked Luca and Vivian's
15:35numbers, and deleted every chat history. From now on, that relationship, that city, that absurd dream,
15:41none of it had anything to do with me anymore. When the plane landed in New York, it was still
15:45dark.
15:46As I stepped off, I saw a familiar figure standing not far away. Tall, steady, in a black cashmere coat,
15:49as if she'd been waiting in the wind for a long time. It was Metello. As I approached, she patted
15:52my shoulder
15:52firmly and looked at my pale face for a few seconds, frowning slightly. You've lost weight.
15:56Still alive. Mateo glanced at me, asked nothing more, and opened the car door for me. We'll talk
16:00at home. The car drove into the estate. The iron gates opened slowly. The familiar main house stood
16:04silent in the night, lights blazing. When I walked in, the staff were all lined up. Enzo opened the study
16:09door for me. Father was inside. Don Alessandro Moretti. He sat by the fireplace, holding a whiskey.
16:14His temples were gray, but his eyes were still cold as a hawk's. Done playing? No blame, no extra comfort.
16:18He just said, yeah. Then come back. I looked at him, and the emotions I'd held in all night
16:25silently collapsed. He didn't ask who hurt me or if it was worth it. To him, the answer didn't
16:29matter. What matters that I was back. Your mother worried about you the most. Now you've seen
16:34clearly. Time to grow up. Yes. After that night, I stayed at the Moretti estate. The family doctor
16:40examined me again. Pleading wasn't severe, but old issues had been triggered. I needed rest. Enzo brought
16:43all my private assets, records, and the financial details I'd handled for Luca to the study. I read page
16:47after page, expressionless. Mateo lent against the liquor cabinet and raised an eyebrow. Now
16:51you see how much you lost over the years? Money doesn't matter. What's dirty is my eyes. Mateo
16:56chuckled softly and said nothing. Three days later, Enzo knocked on the study door and placed a new
17:01file in front of me. Miss, all his suppliers, security, and venue partners have terminated
17:03their contracts. The docs have also taken back his territory. How is he reacting? He went to his
17:07turf three times yesterday, trying to hold his people, but it didn't work. What about Vivian? Last night,
17:10she took the last cash from Luca's safe, plus some jewelry and two watches from the apartment
17:13disappeared overnight. As expected. People like Vivian only go where there's meat. Once the
17:18prey loses value, she runs faster than anyone. Luca called the estate 17 times today and tried
17:22to reach Miss Mateo. All blocked. Don't forward his calls to me anymore. Yes, miss. I heard he just
17:27realized his so-called self-made success was all built on roads you paved for him. For him, that hurts
17:32more than going bankrupt. True. People like him can't stand finding out they didn't stand on their
17:36own. They were propped up. I suddenly remembered Luca once proudly telling people,
17:41I despised men who climbed up through women.
17:45But he didn't know that his most glorious two years were spent under my protection.
17:51Nothing could be more ironic. A week later, the Moretti family held a return banquet for me.
17:56It was my formal return to New York high society and the family's power circle.
18:00At 7pm, the main hall was brilliant with light. I changed into a custom black gown,
18:05pinned on my mother's family crest, and put the vintage watch symbolizing the Moretti air back on my wrist.
18:08The Elena who cooked in an apron went to the hospital alone at night and believed love could
18:12win a true heart. Seemed to have died the night she left that city. Mateo who stood behind me
18:16adjusted my shawl and said something almost comforting. You look more like a real person
18:19now than before. Your way of comforting people is still terrible. If you can talk back, you're
18:23recovering well. Midway through the banquet, the hall was full of guests. I stood by the terrace with a
18:27glass of wine, looking at the lights beyond the estate. Behind me came the sound of high heels on the
18:31floor. I turned and met a pair of beautiful, cool eyes. She Isabella Romano, heir to the Romano family and
18:36the Moretti family's most stable partner over the years. Seems you're really back.
18:43Disappointed? Just the opposite. I always thought you'd come back eventually. You're not the type to
18:47wash dishes and buy cusseries for someone else. News travels fast. New York has no secrets,
18:54especially about the Moretti family. By the way, I heard at a charity dinner today that Luca's
18:59businesses have officially shut down. He was photographed arguing with suppliers at the
19:02door. It looked bad. Hmm. You don't look surprised at all. I just took back what was mine.
19:11Very graceful. Thanks. She lightly clicked her glass against mine and dropped the topic.
19:19After the banquet, I returned to my room. My private phone suddenly lit up, an unknown number.
19:23I stared at it for two seconds, then answered. Then came Luca's harsh, almost unrecognizable voice.
19:28Elena, please, please help me. I leaned by the window, silent. I've lost everything. The docs are
19:36calling in debts. That bastard Vivian took all my money. I have nothing left. Elena, I know I was
19:40wrong. I really do. Can you come back or let me come to New York to find you? Please give
19:46me
19:46another chance. I'll do anything. Listening to his crying, I felt only distance. Are you done?
19:54Luca, what do you want right now? Me or the Moretti name? There was a brief silence. So short,
20:00it was almost nothing. But that instant was enough to give me the answer. No, Elena, that's not it. I
20:03love you. I've always loved you. Really? When you were rolling in my bed with Vivian, you loved me? When
20:07you put the watchman for me on her wrist, you loved me? When I called you with stomach bleeding and
20:10you
20:10thought I was a bother, you loved me? Finally, he broke down, crying so hard he could barely speak.
20:14I was wrong. I was so wrong. Elena, please help me. Please help me. For the sake of our two
20:19years,
20:19let me $500,000. No, even $200,000. I'll pay you back. I swear. I closed my eyes. The call
20:23felt
20:23absurd. He said he missed me, thought of me, regretted everything. But in the end, what he
20:26really wanted was money. Our past? Our past? You think you deserve to talk about our past?
20:33When you put that petite version on Vivian in public, did you think about us? When you stood by
20:37while she humiliated me in Italian, did you think about us? When you hung up on me at my worst
20:41pain,
20:41did you think about us? The other end went completely silent. After a long while, his suppressed,
20:47desperate crying came through. Elena, please. I didn't give him another chance. Don't call again.
20:52Hearing your voice just makes me sick. I hung up and blocked the number.
20:58The next morning, I sat on the estate terrace with coffee, flipping through the paper.
21:01In a corner of the local news was a blurry photo. In the photo, a man with messy hair was
21:06portedly
21:06relationship and debt issues. I recognized it at a glass. It was Luca. And the woman he was dragging
21:11by the collar, face slapped twice, was I put down the paper and sipped my coffee. Not Slive,
21:16so he found her after all. But that no longer had anything to do with me.
21:20A month later, Autumn came to New York. She wore a sleek black dress and tossed the auction catalog
21:25onto my lap as she got in the car. There's an emerald brooch tonight. It'd suit you.
21:28I flipped through it and smiled lightly. I prefer to bid on things myself rather than have them
21:33picked for me. You've recovered well. At least you know how to pick things now.
21:39Just as the car pulled out of the hotel, a dark figure rushed from the curb and threw himself in
21:43front of the car. With a sharp scratchel, the driver slammed the brake.
21:45What's going on?
21:47The headlights revealed a gaunt, almost skeletal man. His hair was messy, face salad, clothes
21:52crumpled. He looked like it was Luca. He somehow got my schedule and had chased me here. Bodyguards
21:56rushed out, dragged him from the front of the car and pinned him to the ground.
21:58Let go of me. I belong to Elena. Let me see her.
22:01Elena, Elena, come out and see me.
22:02Is that the guy?
22:05A bad debt that should have been settled long ago.
22:08I stepped out into the cool night air. Luca pinned on the ground, heard footsteps and
22:12looked up sharply.
22:13Elena!
22:14He struggled to get up, but the bodyguards pressed him down harder.
22:18I knew you wouldn't abandon me. I knew you still care.
22:20I stood over him, looking down without a flicker of emotion. In just one month, he seemed to
22:24have aged 10 years. The once handsome face was now just haggard and bitter. Are you delusional?
22:28Elena.
22:29Why would I help you? Luca, I've made it clear. You and I ended a long time ago.
22:34His tears fell instantly.
22:36No, that's not true. Elena, I'm desperate. I'm really desperate. For old time's sake,
22:40just help me once more, okay? I don't want anything. I can stay by your side as a servant,
22:43a housekeeper, anything. Just don't leave me.
22:45Hearing this, Isabella by the car let out a soft laugh. She walked over in her heels,
22:48crossed her arms beside me and looked coldly at Luca.
22:49Stay by her side? What makes you qualified? Luca seemed to notice her for the first time,
22:53his expression shifting. The servants at the Meretti estate speak four languages and can handle
22:56banquets, finances and security. What can you do? Lie? Cheat? Or kneel in the street to stop to cut
23:01like knives? Luca's face turned to ashes. He bit his lip hard.
23:04Still unwilling to give up and turned to me, voice shaking.
23:06Elena, have you forgotten? When a client forced you to drink until your stomach cramped,
23:08I rushed in and drank the rest for you. I stayed with you in the hospital all night.
23:11You said no matter what happened, you'd always stay with me.
23:12He looked like he was grasping at his last straw, his eyes desperate and crazed.
23:15It was not long after we got together. He stormed into the private room, drank half a bottle of
23:18whiskey for me and stayed at the hospital all night. Back then, I was truly moved.
23:22I even thought that even if he had ambition and schemes, at least he once cared for me.
23:25But now, it just felt ironic. Every time you bring up the past, it only makes me laugh more.
23:30I stepped back half a step, avoiding his attempt to lunge at me.
23:32Whatever so-called feelings you had, I already repaid with that $500,000 and two-year-old
23:35for a long time. Luca trembled, as if finally realizing I would never look back.
23:37Elena, you can't be this heartless. You love me. How can you stand next to another man now?
23:40How can you do this to me? He screamed louder and louder, more and more unhinged,
23:43struggling wildly as if he wanted to grab me. Take him away. Don't let him dirty my car.
23:45Yes, miss.
23:48Elena! Elena, you'll regret this! You can't do this to me!
23:53I turned back to the car. Isabella handed me a wet wipe.
23:56All cleaned up? I took the wipe and slowly cleaned my hands. Clean.
24:02She nodded and got in the car. Let's go. The auction's about to start.
24:07The door closed and the car smoothly drove back into the night, as if nothing dirty had ever touched it.
24:11The auction was held on the top floor of the peninsula. Isabella and I walked in one after
24:15another, and all eyes immediately turned to us. The Morelli heir officially back in New York,
24:18with the Romano family's eldest daughter by her side. That combination was enough to make everyone sit up.
24:22Halfway through, I bid $8 million on an antique jewelry set to add to my mother's private collection.
24:26$8 million. Sold.
24:28During the intermission, Isabella went to chat with the Naninses.
24:30I stood alone by the Florida-feeling window with champagne, looking at the glittering Manhattan night.
24:36A malicious laugh came from behind me.
24:38Well, well, if it isn't our high and mighty Miss Elena.
24:40I turned around. Vivian was standing not far away, holding the arm of a middle-aged man dripping in flashy
24:44jewelry.
24:44She wore a cheap, ill-fitty dress and smile, but the exhaustion and bruises on her cheekbones were impossible to
24:47hide.
24:48Clearly, she hadn't been doing well.
24:49The man beside her, around 50, was covered in expensive but tacky jewelry and reeked of cologne.
24:52Brother Wendy, look. That's the iris I told you about.
24:55Pretty, right? But her temper isn't great.
24:57Yeah, she's good-looking.
24:58He walked closer, step by step, smiling meaningfully.
25:01Hey, gorgeous. Who are you with? Why not come with me? I promise you'll enjoy life.
25:05He actually raised his hand to touch my face.
25:07I didn't move. I just looked at him coldly.
25:10Are you sure you want to keep that hand?
25:14Feisty, huh?
25:15Wendy, you should teach her some New York manners.
25:18Just as his hand was about to touch my face.
25:20What kind of trash dares to reach out Wendy's face?
25:22A glass of red wine splashed right onto an empties glass, her eyes cold and full of undisguised disgust here.
25:26Wendy, drenched, was about to explode until he saw who it was.
25:29His face went white.
25:30Miss Abella!
25:31You dare touch a Morelli?
25:33I guess that shabby club of yours doesn't need to stay open.
25:35Morelli?
25:35Wendy's legs buffed.
25:36Which Morelli?
25:37His face twisted.
25:38How many Morellis in New York do you think trash like you can name?
25:40Wendy completely panicked.
25:41He turned and slapped Vivian hard across the face.
25:44Vivian was caught off guard, staggered and fell to the floor,
25:46blood appearing at the corner of her mouth.
25:48You bitch!
25:48Wendy, I...
25:49Shut up!
25:52Sorry, Miss Alina, Miss Isabella.
25:54I was blind.
25:55This bitch fooled me.
25:56I'll take her away right now, right now.
25:57But Wendy didn't care about her anymore.
25:58Wendy, you...
25:59He called his men, and they dragged Vivian up like trash.
26:01Let me go!
26:01Let go of me!
26:02Soon, only her fading screams echoed down the hall.
26:05I picked up my glass again and looked at the night outside.
26:06My expression had changed.
26:07Not even a little sympathy for her?
26:08Sympathy?
26:09She could stand here tonight not because she's capable,
26:11but because someone was willing to pick up trash and play with it.
26:13Fair point.
26:14Winter turned to spring.
26:15Snow fell and melted in New York.
26:17I officially entered Moretti Group headquarters
26:19and took on more core responsibilities.
26:20In those three years,
26:21I was no longer the person hiding outside the family,
26:23fooling herself into wanting an ordinary life.
26:25I sat in the office my mother once occupied
26:26and began to truly control the Moretti family's businesses
26:29and underground network.
26:30Ports, security, offshore funds, auction houses,
26:33logividics, all key powers slowly returned to my hands.
26:35And my partnership with Isabella grew closer.
26:37She was a very smart woman.
26:39She knew when to advance, when to retreat,
26:40when to keep distance, and when to stand beside me.
26:42More than a lover, she was a fellow traveler in another sense.
26:45Three years later,
26:45at the celebration for the new Moretti Group headquarters,
26:47almost every power person in the city showed up.
26:49Outside the huge windows,
26:50Manhattan glittered like a stewed at black couture of the lights
26:52and accepted round after round of congratulations.
26:54Congratulations, Elena.
26:55New York's landscape is about to change again.
26:57I'll take that as a good omen.
27:00Midway through the banquet,
27:01I stepped onto the where-if for air.
27:03My secretary, Daniel, followed,
27:05handed me my coat,
27:06and quietly briefed me on the week's schedule.
27:07One more thing, miss.
27:08Go on.
27:09Some news just came in from back there,
27:11about Luca and Vivian.
27:12Hearing those names,
27:13I felt absolutely nothing.
27:15Seeing no objection,
27:16Daniel continued,
27:17Luca, because of long-term debt and mental instability,
27:19got into a street fight with Vivian after finding her.
27:21He pulled a knife and was sentenced to five years.
27:22I heard he lost his mind inside.
27:24He goes around saying he's the man of the Moretti house.
27:26Everyone laughs at him.
27:27As for Vivian,
27:28Wendy messed her up badly.
27:29Later, she got her legs broken over debts.
27:30Now she begs near underground gambling dumbs in Queens.
27:32Basically finished.
27:33I stood on the terrace,
27:34quietly watching the distant sea of lights.
27:36The night breeze blew in,
27:37cool with early spring.
27:38Noted.
27:39In the future,
27:40no need to report news about trash like that.
27:42Yes, miss.
27:43After Daniel left,
27:44the terrace door opened from inside.
27:46Isabella walked out with two glasses of wine
27:47and handed me one.
27:48What?
27:49Standing here alone,
27:50feeling nostalgic?
27:50I took the wine and smiled.
27:52No.
27:52I just realized that once some people and things rot,
27:54they don't even deserve to be remembered,
27:55then gently clinked her glass against mine.
27:57Then here's to turning the page on people and things
27:58that weren't worth it.
27:59To turning the page.
28:02I looked out the outside.
28:03All of New York was bright as day,
28:04traffic flowing like rivers,
28:05like an endless map of power unfolding in the night.
28:07And I stood at the center of those lights,
28:08finally no longer bowing to anyone,
28:10no longer wasting my heart on people who didn't deserve it.
28:12The old Elena who hid her fangs for love
28:13and willingly lived small and humble
28:15had died long ago,
28:16on a night many years before.
28:17What remained now was only Moretti.
28:19I turned,
28:20pushed open the terrace door,
28:21and walked back with Isabella
28:22into the brightly lit crowd.
28:23Behind us,
28:24the night wind howled through the gaps
28:25between skyscrapers.
28:26Everything had ended,
28:26and everything was just beginning.