Episode 2
Evening at Carter Mansion
Celeste Carter
Come on now, Eliana, have some more cookies. I made your favorite.
Dominic Carter
Tea feels better when the whole family is around.
Eliana Carter
I agree, dad. It’s nice… peaceful.
The door opens. Gianna walks in with her usual flair.
Gianna Marino
Wow! Everyone’s enjoying without me, I see. Tch tch... how rude!
Dorian Carter
Oh? Are you some kind of celebrity that we should've waited for?
Gianna Marino
I mean, I’m not less than one, baby
Dorian Carter
Cringe, girl. Seriously.(rolling eyes)
Gianna Marino
Hey best friend (Gianna put coffee in her cup)
Eliana Carter
Uhh—hi...(little awkward)
Dorian Carter
She’s not your best friend.(interrupts)
Gianna Marino
Oops, my bad. Hello dear sister-in-law. Happy now?( smirking)
Mrs. Carter suddenly notices a faint bruise on Gianna’s cheek.
Celeste Carter
Gianna, dear… what happened to your face?
Gianna Marino
Oops... I guess my foundation didn’t work well today.(smiling faintly)
Eliana Carter
No way, Gia. That’s too deep. Did someone… punch you or something?( concern)
Dorian Carter
The way she behaves, anyone could punch her.(mocking)
Gianna Marino
Oh my, my to-be husband is worrying about me now, huh?( grinning)
Dorian Carter
Stay away from me. I’d rather marry a monkey.
Gianna Marino
Okay then! If you want to lose the chance of having a gorgeous wife, that’s your loss.
Dorian Carter
Self-obsessed girl.( eye rolled)
Gianna Marino
And yes, a monkey should marry a monkey. If you don’t find one, let me know — I’ll personally search one for you.(smirking)
Everyone chuckles a little. Mr. Carter, who had been watching quietly, speaks up.
Dominic Carter
You two fight like cats and dogs. Don’t tell me you're actually planning to marry one another.(teasingly)
Gianna Marino
Sure, uncle! I have no problem. I’ll get a handsome father-in-law, a beautiful mother-in-law, and a cute sister-in-law in the deal.
Dorian Carter
Always the sugar-mouth.
Gianna Marino
What did you say, monkey? Let's get married then
Dorian Carter
Come out of your dreamland, Gianna.( coldly)
Gianna Marino
Aww... what a heartbreak.(smiling still)
Dorian stands up and glares at her.
Dorian Carter
Do you ever stop pretending to be this bubbly? It’s pathetic.
You smile like the world adores you, but everyone just tolerates you.
Do us all a favor — stop trying to be a part of something you’ll never belong to.(mocking harsh tone)
A heavy silence fills the room. Gianna’s smile falters for just a second. But then… she picks it back up.
Gianna Marino
Well, if I can make even one person smile with my “pretending,” I guess it’s worth it, right?(softly)
Mrs. Carter slams her cup down.
Celeste Carter
Enough, Dorian!
She might act silly sometimes, but at least she doesn’t carry the weight of arrogance like you do.(firmly)
Mr. Carter looks at Dorian, disappointed.
Dominic Carter
You’ve grown up, but not into a man. A real man knows how to respect someone
Eliana Carter
Gia… sit with me? (softly, walking to Gianna)
Gianna Marino
Sure, bestie. (smiling again, holding back tears):
Dorian Carter
“She loves attention. I just give her what she wants.”shrugs
Celeste Carter
“No. What she wants is a little kindness. Something you clearly don’t have.”
Eliana Carter
“Gia, you okay?”(mumbling)
Gianna Marino
“Always, sweetheart. I’ve been surviving colder storms.”(whispers with a tight smile)
Dominic Carter
“Dorian, I don’t care what’s going on between you two—but don’t forget this house doesn’t support cruelty. Fix your tongue or leave the table.”
Dorian looks away. Gianna takes a deep breath, walking toward the hallway.
Gianna Marino
“One day... you’ll regret every word he threw at me.
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