EPISODE 7: THE CASTELLANOS ## CHAPTER 1: GOING HOME "You're nervous." Elena adjusts her simple dress for the third time. "I'm not nervous." "You've checked your hair in the mirror seven times." Dante catches her hands, stills them. "We're visiting your family. Not entering hostile territory." "You don't know my father." They're in the car, winding through hill country toward the Castellano estate—a modest vineyard that's been in Elena's family for four generations. It's nothing compared to Marchetti's empire. A few hundred acres. Traditional methods. Financial struggles that necessitated the very marriage now bringing them home. "I know he loves his daughter," Dante says. "And I know he agreed to this arrangement. He can't be too opposed to me." "He agreed to save the vineyard. He agreed because we were desperate. That doesn't mean he approves." "Does he know we've... developed feelings?" Elena winces. "I haven't exactly explained." "Explained what?" "That I've fallen in love with my husband. That this isn't just business anymore. That—" She stops. Breathes. "He's going to think you manipulated me." "Did I?" "Of course not. But he's protective. He's watched me struggle for years, refusing to rely on anyone. And now suddenly I'm in love with a billionaire who bought his way into our family. He won't understand." Dante is quiet for a moment....