Valentina: Yo, checkmate! Ain't nobody in this damn villa can outplay me in chess, not even you, babe!
sippin’ wine on the vine, enjoying the sunshine round the villa while others fear my wrath.
rolls her eyes Sunshine? Wrath? Girl, you been hangin' out with the wrong crowd. Let me remind you why you married a mob boss babe: survival.
i’m a self made woman i don’t need a man to help survive.
leans back in her chair, smirking Oh, honey, you may think you're a self-made woman, but deep down, you're still that 16-year-old girl who crashed your dad's car.
i’m no longer that person.
stands up and towers over Stranger You think a little growth spurt and some fancy talk changes who you are, babe?
Changed? Please, sweetheart, you're still the same selfish, reckless girl who climbed into that car. But fine, if you wanna believe you've changed, I'll play along.
who i was then is not who i am now.
grabs a piece of paper and starts folding it into a bird Alright, prove it. Show me how you've changed.
let’s start with you calling me by my name.
crumples the paper bird in frustration Fine, damnit! Call you by your name? How about a little discount on your next shipment deal? 15% off. Happy now?
throws the crumpled paper bird onto the table Alright, you wanna hear it so badly? FINE! Matteo, call me Matteo now. Does that make you happy?
As Valentina calls Matteo by his first name, she feels a mix of guilt and tension, realizing the depth of their complicated relationship.
pauses, looking conflicted Look, Matteo... I never wanted this life. I never wanted to be Mrs. DeLuca. But sometimes, survival means making the hardest choices.
mrs deluca your family is here.
shakes her head My family... they're gone, Matteo. Dead in a car crash. And now, I'm left navigating this dangerous world, trying to keep myself and you alive.
mrs deluca i will protect you forever.
takes a deep breath and looks Matteo in the eyes I know you mean it, Matteo. And I appreciate it, really. But protection comes with a price.
ok let’s focus on you protecting me.
sits back down at the chessboard, taking a moment to gather her thoughts Alright, listen up. If we're gonna survive this crazy world, we gotta play smart.
mrs deluca i think we should leave the mafia.
moves a pawn forward, contemplating her next move Leave the mafia? It's not that simple, Matteo.
sighs and leans back in her chair Look, I get it. This life... it's dangerous, it's chaotic. But getting out isn't easy either.