"What's wrong, darling? You look troubled,” Emma asked Carol, her voice laced with false sweetness.
"I was thinking about the contract and Sofia’s wedding. I hope it proves to be a good decision for her. But I have doubts because She is not willing to marry Alessandro Morelli’s son," he said, and his eyes were gloomy as he was pitying his daughter. She went near him and rubbed his shoulder.
margin-left:0.0000pt;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;text-align:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph;">Emma stepped closer to him. “Honey, you’re thinking too much. We’re doing this for her future. I mean, who would marry her anyway, with the kind of reputation her mother has?”She was afraid Carlo would change his decision. She would have buried Sofia with her mother if it were in her hand. Her hatred was so immense she spread the rumor in society that Sofia was a whore, just as her mother was.
Because of Sofia and her mother, Emma couldn't convince Carlo to marry her sooner. But when Sofia's mother died, she came into this house, and she made sure Sofia would live a life worse than hell. Getting Sofia married to Leonardo Morelli was a part of her plan. Leonardo was ruthless, heartless, and a man with no mercy. He was a player who couldn't be loyal to a woman.
Carlo exhaled sharply as if he had a burden on his chest. He took Emma’s hand from his shoulder and affectionately held it in his hand.
“I have never loved Elisa, and I don't even love Sofia. But she is my blood, and I feel responsible for her. I know you took good care of her after Elisa died. But still, we can't change her mother's blood running in her veins. You disciplined her and taught her to be a noble lady. Otherwise, she would have become like Elisa, who liked to go after other men,” he said in his dull voice.
But he didn't know that it was Emma who made him believe that Elisa was a slut. She did it because she wanted him to leave his wife.
'It's good that the dirty bitch died soon. He is mine, and his wealth is for my daughter and me.’ Emma thought inwardly.
Carlo took a deep breath before continuing, "I just hope this marriage will make her responsible and she remains loyal to Leonardo."
“But we can just hope,” Emma sighed dramatically. “However, she will get more money from the wedding as alimony when this marriage contract is annulled. I'll make sure to add this clause to the contract," Emma showed him her most charming smile.
She had already wrapped him around her tiny finger, and she knew it. Carlo loved her more than anything in this world, and he blindly believed in her.
“Thank you, Emma. You are such a nice lady with a golden heart. I am so lucky to have you in my life," Carlo said, kissing my cheek as his eyes shone with pride and love.
Emma giggled. "I will do anything for you, my darling."
*************
The day finally had come. The hall was adorned with opulent decorations, exuding elegance and luxury. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a soft, warm glow over the entire space. Glimmering fairy lights were entwined with delicate white drapes, creating a dreamlike ambiance.
Rows of plush, white chairs lined both sides of the aisle, leading to a beautifully decorated stage at the far end of the hall. Each chair was adorned with intricate floral arrangements, emitting a fragrant aroma that filled the air. Carlo hadn't left anything to make it a grand wedding.
The stage itself was a masterpiece, covered in billowing white fabric and embellished with cascading flowers in hues of pastel. A backdrop of twinkling fairy lights added a touch of enchantment. The focal point of the stage was an exquisite arch entwined with flowers.
Guests, elegantly dressed, filled the hall, their excited murmurs creating a pleasant hum. They took their seats, eagerly awaiting the ceremony to begin. Some mingled, sharing laughter and animated conversations, while others found solace in the serene atmosphere, lost in their own thoughts.
And Sofia, wearing a white gown, was waiting in the bridal chamber for her stepmother to take her to the wedding hall. She hadn't met Leonardo Morelli yet. But she had heard a lot about him. He was a famous playboy and a very successful businessman.
The knowledge that he was one of the wealthiest people in the world scared Sofia to death. She was afraid of having the same fate as her mother and was completely freaking out, wanting to run away from this freaking wedding.
But then she thought about her father. Knowing her wedding was a business deal, she couldn't leave her father in trouble. Her father would be doomed if she escaped because many people and media people had come here for the wedding.
Finally, Emma arrived and took Sofia to the aisle where her father was waiting for her. Her smiling father fazed Soofia. She had never seen her father smiling at her. Her foolish heart became happy at that moment. But it was only for the show in front of these people. He gave her his elbow, and Sofia held it, hooking her hand around him.
“Sofia, I expect you to behave properly in front of these people. Don’t forget I need you to stay in this marriage for three years. So be nice to Leonardo and don't enrage him,” Carlo whispered in Sofia's ear, threatening more than suggesting.
Swallowing a lump down her throat, Sofia nodded her head. A soft, melodic tune began to play, signaling the start of the procession. Carlo walked his daughter down the aisle toward the stage where Leonardo Morelli was standing. Sofia could not focus on decoration, nor was she paying attention to the people around her as she was so nervous and her mind was numb with fear.
Sofia prayed in her heart that she wouldn't do anything stupid to embarrass her dad. When her dad halted, she only realized they reached the stage. She wouldn't dare to look up. Her eyes kept staring down at her feet. Suddenly through her eyelashes, she saw a hand stretched in front of her, offering help to climb up on the stage.
She hesitated at first but took that hand, and he pulled her up on the stage. Sofia stumbled a little and gripped his shoulder with her other hand. Then at that moment, for the first time, Sofia saw a handsome face staring at her as he tried to see behind the veil. Sofia knew he couldn't look appropriately through the veil. But Sofia could see him staring at her face with his cold eyes. His face was unreadable.
She instantly pulled her hand away and took a step backward, standing beside him. The officiant started the rituals. First, he made them exchange their vows which Sofia knew were all fake. He told them to exchange the rings, and quickly, a lady appeared with two gorgeous-looking rings on a plate.
She handed one ring to Leonardo Morelli and another to Sofia. Sofia’s hand trembled as she held the wedding ring, eyes glued to it. She felt she never wanted to get married like this. But it was too late to back out.
The officiant instructed Sofia to give her hand to Leonardo Morelli. Hesitated, Sofia held her shaky hand toward Leonanado. He grabbed it gently and slipped the ring on Sofia's finger. Then he held his hand out before her, anticipating the drama would end soon. Sofia slid the ring without touching or even holding his hand. She was too nervous to touch him.
The officiant announced them as husband and wife. Then, he turned to Leonardo and said the groom could kiss his bride.
Now this was the most difficult part of the wedding for both of them. Sofia panicked but was instantly relieved to see Leonardo Morelli didn't make any move. Then someone tapped on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. He frowned, looking at her.
Leonardo shifted closer as he descended his head. He cupped Sofia's cheeks in his big hand as his lips touched the corner of Sofia's mouth so lightly that Sofia couldn't tell whether it was a real kiss or not.
But Sofia's first kiss was stolen by her husband just like that.
Siena rose from her chair the moment she saw her husband entering the mansion. Though Cristiano’s steps were steady and controlled, she could tell he was drunk from his appearance. Before coming home, Cristiano had parked his car on a deserted street and drank until he couldn’t feel a thing. Even when his bodyguards offered to drive him home, he stubbornly refused, insisting on driving himself, as if he had no fear of death—as if he were daring it to take him and end the misery this life had given him.When he finally arrived home, he expected the house to be quiet, everyone asleep, since it was already past one in the morning. He could have sprawled onto the sofa and spent the night in peace, but the moment his eyes fell on his wife, frustration surged through him, tangled with the confusion clouding his mind.As Siena hurried toward him, she reached for the jacket in his hand. His grip wasn’t firm, and it slipped away from his grasp before he could resist.“Have you had dinner?” she
Siena had been troubled after seeing Fabio. Why had he come now? Why now, when she had finally begun to move on, to forget him? Everything had changed—everything they had once planned together lay in ruins. And yet, here he was, claiming he still loved her, even though she was now married to another man.But what about his engagement to another woman? He was the one who had broken up with her. He had shattered her heart so brutally that she hadn’t believed she would ever find the courage to love again—until Cristiano came into her life.Cristiano. The very thought of him was enough to bring a smile to her face. He had made her believe in true love again and shown her how love could heal.But then Fabio’s words echoed in her mind: “Your husband is not what you think.”What had he meant by that? Was he trying to play with her mind and heart again? Why should she trust a man who had once betrayed her so deeply, humiliating her before the entire college and even her own family by announcin
Cristiano’s mood was black when he returned to his office. But another surprise was waiting for him. His father was waiting for him in his office.“Come with me,” Vittorio said the moment Cristiano stepped in. Cristiano’s jaw tightened. “Where?”“You’ll see,” Vittorio replied smoothly, rising from the chair. He didn’t explain further and led his son to his car. As the car pulled near Hunter’s club, Cristiano’s jaw tightened. He understood. His glare cut toward his father, but Vittorio only chuckled.“I know you’ve been wound up,” Vittorio said, gesturing to the neon-drenched entrance. “The marriage, the new weight of leadership… it must be exhausting. So I brought you here.”Inside, the air was heavy—dim lights flickered over leather booths, the musk of sex and powdery bite of cocaine laced every breath. Hunter emerged from the shadows, tall and grinning, his hand extended. “Boss.”Cristiano clasped it, eyes unreadable.Vittorio smirked, his voice dipped with sly amusement. “Take c
Siena didn’t know how to react at first and froze at the sight of Fabio before her. But within seconds, she recovered, lifted her chin, and strode forward.“Siena, baby,” Fabio jogged after her, grabbing her elbow to stop her.“Don’t fucking touch me!” Siena snapped, yanking her elbow free as she spun on her heel to face him. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at him. “I know you’re upset, but please—listen to me,” he pleaded.“Don’t waste your time, because you don’t even exist for me,” Siena replied coldly.His lips curved into a pained smile, his eyes full of remorse. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice trembling with raw emotion. “I never stopped.”Siena frowned, confusion flickering before her expression hardened. “Stop this bullshit. I’m no longer that naive girl blinded by your love. I’m a married woman now, and I love my husband.” Her calm, steady voice carried more weight than a scream.Fabio stared at her in disbelief, utterly speechless.“So don’t ever follow me agai
Cristiano woke up early and stared at Siena’s sleeping face for a while. She was so different from what he had expected. When his grandmother had slapped her, he thought she would confront him for not standing up for her, but she hadn’t even mentioned it. He had assumed she would be upset about their honeymoon being canceled, yet she surprised him again by saying she was ready to consummate their marriage regardless.All of this stirred something in his frozen heart, a strange feeling that left him unsettled. He detached himself from her, got up, and went to the bathroom without even going to the gym. After getting ready for the office, he left before she even woke up.When Siena woke up, she found the room empty, and the wet bathroom floor told her that Cristiano had already showered and left for the office. Perhaps he had some urgent work and needed to leave early, she thought, and began getting ready for the day. Yet, yesterday morning’s incidents kept coming back, bitter memories l
But he went to his side and sat down on the mattress, slipping off his slippers before lying back on the bed. “Should I turn off the light?” he asked in his deep, husky tone. Siena nodded, biting her lips. His arms stretched out to reach the switch, and then, lying on his back, he folded one arm over his eyes and closed them. Siena lay on her side, her gaze still fixed on him. He didn’t make any intimate moves tonight—not even a touch or a kiss. Was it because she had said she wanted to wait for their honeymoon? Oh God, he was such a gentle man. Her heart sighed with admiration for the man she had married. They hadn’t known each other before their marriage, yet he had told her he loved her—and now, every action of his showed just how deeply he cared. In this moment, she felt truly like God’s favorite, as He had granted her the wish of finding true love. She felt like… like she had already been falling… for him—and who could blame her? He was perfect… in every way. Before she co