After My Fake Death, He Went Mad with Regret Episode 1

Episode 1 · 27 episodes · Gemma, Santino Vitale, Carina

Episode 1 recap

At graduation, Marco Ricci bypasses Gemma and proposes to her adopted sister, Carina. An hour later, powerful Santino Vitale proposes to Gemma. They spend five seemingly devoted years together. Outside his study, Gemma overhears Santino telling a friend that he only married her to protect Carina's happiness. Inside, she finds Carina's name written on every page of his prayer book. Gemma immediately calls to arrange a fake death and new identity, but Santino catches her on the phone.

Episodes

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Episode 1 scene by scene

00:00: Two Proposals at Graduation
Gemma expects her close friend Marco Ricci to propose at the graduation hall. Marco kneels and proposes to her adopted sister Carina instead. An hour later, powerful Santino Vitale steps forward and proposes to the heartbroken Gemma.
00:15: Five Years of Devotion
Over the next five years, Santino dotes on Gemma across high-rise penthouses, fine dining restaurants, and rainy city streets. He puts her first in daily life. Gemma lives alongside him in what looks like deep, affectionate marital bliss.
00:24: A Secret in the Study
Gemma stops outside Santino's study and overhears his conversation with a friend. Santino states coldly that marrying anyone is identical without Carina. He adds that as long as he is around, Gemma will never disrupt Carina's happiness.
00:46: The Pages of the Prayer Book
Once Santino leaves, Gemma steps inside the study. She opens the prayer book Santino copies by hand each night. Gemma inspects the page margins and finds Carina's name written densely on every single sheet, shattering her five-year dream.
00:56: A Secret Call for Escape
Standing before the mansion's French windows, a disillusioned Gemma makes a mysterious phone call. She requests a new identity and plans a fake death to escape Santino entirely. Right as she hangs up, Santino enters and coldly questions her.

Key lines from episode 1

“If I can't have Carina, marrying anyone is the same. And as long as I'm here, Gemma will never get in the way of Carina's happiness.”
Santino · Santino explains his true motives to a friend inside his private study.

“Who was that on the phone?”
Santino · Santino confronts Gemma right after she finishes arranging her fake death.

How episode 1 ends

Gemma hangs up after finalizing her escape plan, but Santino suddenly steps into the room behind her. He demands to know who she was speaking to on the phone. Can Gemma deflect his suspicion without exposing her plan to fake her death, or will Santino uncover her secret exit right away?