Deceitful Love ending explained: What was Gabriella's final decision? 

Monica Guerritore as Gabriella in a still from Deceitful Love | Image Source: Netflix
Monica Guerritore as Gabriella in a still from Deceitful Love | Image Source: Netflix

Deceitful Love is one of Netflix’s newest Italian dramas. It revolves around a sensational romance, an intense plot, and many lovable characters. The series explores the relationship between a successful and wealthy hotelier on the Amalfi Coast, living life as it comes.

Her life takes a 360-degree turn after a charming young Italian man, Elia, enters her life. Despite him being in his 30s and Gabriella being 60-years-old, the two navigate their enamoring relationship.

While he’s an overall gentleman - Elia is an enigma. Naturally, her children Stefano and Giulia remain suspicious about his true intentions with their mother. Netflix launched all 6 episodes of Season 1 on October 9, 2024.

The drama features panoramic views of Italy like the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Bacoli. It also showcases continuous friction between Elia and Gabriella’s family. But, while she was dealing with the age gap taboo, her children had problems of their own. Nevertheless, Season 1 of Deceitful Love had a rather satisfying ending, leaving fans and viewers wanting more!


Did Gabriella end up with Elia at the end of Deceitful Love?

Yes, Gabriella ended up with Elia at the end of Deceitful Love. During the ending scene of episode 6. Gabriella decides to meet Elia (a day after court) and relay her decision to him. She heads to the pier in hopes of having a conversation with him - only to find out he planned on leaving the Amalfi coast.

Gabriella beckons him to hear her out and unveils her decision about the same.She bluntly turns down his proposal of marriage (from court) reminiscing over how horrible it was and how unhappy she was.

That was a big no-no for her and instead proposed to simply live in freedom: no labels, just them, with each other. For Elia, it wasn’t a problem because all he wanted was to be with her and make her happy.

The episode ended with a wholesome party celebrating Gabriella’s birthday and it appeared everyone except Guelia joined in; they had accepted Gabriella and Elia’s relationship for what it was.

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The couple have had their aventure romance since getting together early on. Enamored by each other, they would spend days on end in each other's arms, basking in the afterglow of their infatuation.

However, Gabriella wanted more than just a romantic tryst and was all-in for a wholesome, honest, and unfiltered relationship. Sadly, Elia wasn’t the man he claimed to be - there was much about his past that came to light in episode 6 of the Italian drama.

In addition to admitting he initially loved Gabriella for her money, Elia claimed he later developed strong feelings for his lover. Moreover, he also confessed about Marina and her not knowing about her pregnancy until after he’d left her.

During his testimony in court, he makes a tearful confession about how much he wants to be with her and indirectly proposes to her. While the gesture was sweet and made her glassy-eyed, Gabriella needed time to think after a tumultuous court session which brought up many hurtful emotions and words from both sides.


What happened to Elia at court in the finale of Deceitful Love?

Stefano was always suspicious about Elia’s intent from the moment he knew about his mother’s tryst with him. Although her son merely wanted to protect his mother and show him Elia’s true self, he did bring up some pretty traumatizing accounts from both his past and his mother's.

Stefano used the aid of his now ex-boyfriend Mattia to gather evidence against Elia about extorting money and uncovered his checkered past - exposing it in court. Stefano was in the middle of testifying about his findings of Elia and attempting to portray his mother as not being of sound mind when she nonchalantly walked into court.

Both Elia and Stefano were dumbfounded by her entrance. While Stefano wasn’t able to react much since he was testifying, Elia attempted a meek apology before he was called to testify.

Elia admitted to concealing his identity and intentions for dating Gabriella: for the money, the fancy hotels, and sailing. However, he clarifies his admission by mentioning he only did it because of her.

He passionately loved her for who she was and regretted the scathing remarks she had to endure because of his mistakes. As mentioned, he also expressed his desire to marry her and was soon after asked to step off from the stand.

Gabriella appeared ashen and was already quite hurt - not only did she find out about his money problems, but also learned about his former lover Marina from Ibiza and her pregnancy.

This wasn’t something Elia was aware of - he had absconded from her life when she found out about carrying his child. Moreover, in the previous episodes, she’d even tracked him down to find Elia.

Nevertheless, Gabriella had chosen not only to meet with her, but also offer her enough monetary funds to raise her child and disappear from her life overall (as explained at the end of episode 6).

Circling back, after he testified, Stefano decided to take the stand again, recalling the time Gabriella was an “empty shell,” ignorant of her infant daughter and son when there was a fire. Stefano mentions that he doesn’t want to see his mother like an empty shell ever again at the cost of Elia and exits the stand.


What did Gabriella reveal in court at the end of Deceitful Love?

After patiently listening to Elia and Stefano’s testimonies, Gabriella decided to share her part of the story by testifying - revealing a bombshell. She recalled the comments everyone was making concerning her personality and character and claimed she wanted to say something about herself before the case concluded.

Gabriella began by spilling a secret she’d never told her family in all her years: She had a daughter named Chiara as a 17-year-old. Although she was attached to her daughter and desired to keep her, she wasn’t able to. Her children listened with tears streaming down their faces, shellshocked with emotion.

Gabriella claimed she fondly thought about the daughter she couldn’t keep because of her young age. She continued to note how she’d regularly express concern over her child’s whereabouts, but after life caught up, that memory just “faded away.”

That being said, she humbly urges her children not to interfere in her life anymore and live in freedom from her. While she was deeply remorseful for not telling them, she openly declared her love for Elia, choosing him.

This truth of hers caused a rift between her daughter Guilea, who didn’t show up to her mother’s birthday celebration at the end of the finale episode of Deceitful Love.


Also read, "Where was Deceitful Love filmed? Production location where the drama unfolded."

Keep coming back to Soapcentral to remain updated about the endings of the newest shows, soaps and movies!

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Edited by Mudeet Arora