Whilst Sofia was in her deep slumber, she felt as though she was floating weightlessly on a bed of the softest clouds. She was embraced by a warm and comforting layer that surrounded her in a cocoon of tranquillity. Sofia held onto the snug cover tightly, unwilling to let go of the dream. However, her peaceful rest was interrupted by someone shaking her and calling out her name. Sofia gradually opened her eyes, still feeling the remnants of her comforting dream.As her eyelids gradually lifted, she struggled to adjust to the blinding brightness that flooded her vision. She squinted, and blinking repeatedly she attempted to clear her vision until her eyes finally adjusted to the intense light. It was then that she noticed a young woman standing directly in front of her, regarding her with an expression of complete disinterest.Sofia quickly got up from her bed and sat there for a moment, mentally slapping herself for sleeping so late. She knew she was supposed to wake up early and make
As the clock struck afternoon, the grand mansion was eerily quiet, save for the soft shuffling of the servants' footsteps. It was a lonely place, once occupied only by the reclusive Leonardo. But now, Sofia had to start her first day in this sprawling estate. After having breakfast, Leonardo checked some mail and looked at some documents on his laptop.Sofia hadn't still come down. So Leonardo sent a maid to call her for breakfast because it was already eleven in the morning.Leonardo was so engrossed in his work that he lost track of time and everything else around him. However, his attention was soon drawn to the refreshing aroma of body wash and shampoo that filled the air. He glanced up from his laptop and saw Sofia standing before him, looking down with a natural beauty that was accentuated by her lack of makeup.Even quite beautiful compared to the previous night. She looked dainty and slim, with curves in all the right places. Leonardo would have questioned her age if he hadn'
Sitting beside her was starting to become bothersome for Leonardo. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something different about his feeling. Despite this, her fragrance was incredibly enticing, causing a fluttering sensation in his chest.Leonardo found himself distracted while trying to check his emails due to the presence of his wife beside him. Despite his best efforts to concentrate, he couldn't resist stealing glances at her from the corner of his eye. Meanwhile, she seemed lost in thought, staring out of the window without any discernible focus.As they drove towards the airport, Leonardo couldn't take his eyes off Sofia. He stole a few glances at her while Mark kept a watchful eye on the road. Finally, they arrived at their destination, but Leonardo was so lost in thought that he didn't even realize they had reached the airport. When they pulled up to the entrance, Leonardo motioned for Sofia to get out first, and Mark quickly opened the door for her. Sofia
Sofia was standing at the funeral, tears streaming down her face as she mourned the loss of her beloved grandmother. She couldn't believe that she was gone and that she would never see her again. Sofia had always loved her grandmother so much. She was the only mother figure Sofia had in her life after her mama.After her mama and grandpa died, her grandmother had been the one who really cared for her. Sofia remembered how her grandmother had asked her many times to come and live with her, but her dad and stepmother, Emma, had always said no. Sofia had always wanted to live with her grandmother more than anything, but now it was too late.Sofia felt numb as she stood behind the crowd at her grandmother's funeral. She saw her father, Emma, and Kat standing in the front row, while the priest chanted something that was lost on Sofia. All she could feel was the pain inside her, consuming her every thought and emotion. Nobody noticed Sofia standing there, lost in her grief and sorrow."Why
Leonardo opened the car door, and Sofia got in the back seat. He quickly followed her, and Mark closed the door and sat in the front passenger seat. Leonardo turned to Sofia with a softer expression on his face."How are you feeling? Are... you ok?" He asked, looking into Sofia's eyes. Sofia couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort as she gazed into his kind and caring gaze. His eyes were the most beautiful she had seen since her mother's. Sofia's voice trembled as she managed to gather the courage to ask him the question that had been gnawing at her mind. "What... What just happened?" In a calm yet grave tone, he replied, "Sofia, there was a shot. Someone has targeted you." The words hit her like a ton of bricks, and her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She had never imagined that the things she had only heard about in movies and books could actually happen to her.Leonardo's stern gaze remained fixed on Sofia's face as he assured her, "Rest assured, you have no need to worry
Leonardo returned to the room, his gaze naturally drawn towards Sofia, who stood before him, a vision of ethereal beauty. The transformative power of her recent shower was evident as droplets of water clung delicately to her damp hair, glistening like precious gems in the soft lighting.Clad in a stunning pink dress that accentuated her every curve, Sofia emanated a radiant allure that captivated Leonardo's attention. His eyes met her innocent blue orbs, and at that moment, time seemed to stand still.Leonardo found himself struck by Sofia's beauty, an enchanting sight that stirred a powerful attraction within him. It was as if she possessed a divine charm, an aura that transcended the boundaries of the mundane. Leonardo felt drawn to something greater, an inexplicable connection that defied rationality.As their eyes locked, Leonardo's gaze lingered, taking in every detail with a mix of awe and desire. The subtle scent of freshness and the touch of pink against Sofia's skin intertwi
After their intense kiss, Leonardo reluctantly released Sofia when he sensed her need for air. As he pulled away, he couldn't help but notice her lips were red and swollen, a clear indication of their passionate moment together. As he wanted to kiss her again, the sudden sound of the doorbell interrupted his thoughts. Despite feeling frustrated and angry, he composed himself and made his way to the door.As soon as Leonardo opened the door, he saw that room service had arrived with their dinner. He invited the waiter to bring the food inside and stepped out for a brief moment. Upon returning to the room, he noticed that Sofia was standing there, looking quite embarrassed. She was blushing a deep shade of crimson, bowing her head down, and fidgeting with her fingers.He knew that things had become awkward between them after the kiss. The room service staff had left after setting the table for them. Leonardo locked the door and returned to find that Sofia was still standing in the same
Leonardo couldn't help but notice Sofia's perplexed expression and wondered if she was thinking about their wedding night. He regretted acting like a demon that day and scaring her. He couldn't help but think that maybe she regretted marrying him or had negative thoughts about him."I am sorry, baby girl. I was drunk last night," he said hesitantly, rubbing his nape in embarrassment. Sofia bit her lips nervously. Leonardo couldn't take his eyes off her even though she seemed to be scared."I won't do anything, Sofia. I promise. At least not without your consent," Leonardo assured her desperately, hoping to ease her worries. "I respect you and your boundaries." He wanted her eyes back on him. He yearned so badly.Leonardo gently patted the soft comforter of the queen-sized bed, beckoning Sofia to join him. Without hesitation, she obliged and positioned herself on the right side of the bed, her back facing towards him. As she nestled into the plush pillows, she curled up into a tight b
“You’re not telling her anything,” Domenico added, his tone less of a suggestion and more of a command. “She’ll be broken, Leo. She’ll never be the same after this—and neither will your marriage. You can’t do that to her.”His voice cracked slightly, frustration and desperation laced in every word.“I can’t watch her fall apart,” Domenico continued, his eyes pleading. “You know how much her self-respect means to her. She’s strong, but this… this would destroy her.”Leonardo looked away, guilt tightening his chest. “But… what if she finds out?”Domenico didn’t hesitate. “How?” he snapped, stepping forward. “How the hell is she going t
Leonardo didn’t answer. Instead, he unbuckled his seatbelt, yanked the car door open, and stepped out without a word.“Where are you going?” Domenico frowned, confused.Sighing, he unfastened his own seatbelt, turned off the engine, and pushed the door open. He stepped out onto the sidewalk, his eyes instantly locking on Leonardo.The mafia king was pacing slowly, hands in his pockets, head low. The road was nearly deserted—just the occasional car speeding by. Above them, the night sky was star-scattered and dark, the moon absent. Street lamps cast pale yellow pools of light on the sidewalk, flickering faintly. It was quiet, almost eerily so.“What’s going on, Leonardo?” Domenico pressed, his voice taut with tension. Panic had begun creeping up his spine ever since Leonardo had admitted he’d done something that could break Sofia’s heart.Leonardo stopped pacing. He looked out at the road like he was hoping it would swallow him whole.After a heavy silence, he finally muttered, “I slep
Domenico drove like a man possessed, the tires screeching against the asphalt as he pulled into the clinic’s private entrance. The second the car stopped, medics were already rushing out. Leonardo had called ahead.Leonardo barely got out of the car before two nurses approached with a stretcher for Rusty, who was unconscious and pale from blood loss. Domenico helped them load him onto it, his jaw tight as he watched his injured man disappear behind hospital doors.Leonardo winced as he clutched his shoulder, blood still seeping through his shirt. A nurse tried to usher him inside, but he waved her off.“Get Rusty stable. That’s the priority,” he muttered.“You both need care,” she insisted.“I said, treat him first.”Domenico rolled his eyes. “For once, don’t be a stubborn bastard.”Eventually, the Italian don allowed them to clean and dress the wound—nothing deep, but enough to sting and tear the fabric of his day. The bullet had grazed him, but the tension in the room made it feel d
The musty air inside the warehouse was thick with dust and diesel fumes. Shafts of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the rusted ceiling, cutting across crates of firearms marked with foreign stamps. Leonardo adjusted the cuffs of his black linen shirt, stepping around a crate with slow, measured confidence.Domenico stood at his side, expression unreadable, arms crossed, and a Glock holstered beneath his leather jacket.Anthony Gonsalvis lit a cheap cigar and grinned, the oily kind of grin Leonardo had always distrusted. “Everything's here, Don Morelli,” Anthony said, waving a hand toward the open crates. “Fresh stock. No serials, no loose ends. Clean work.”Leonardo gave him a long, quiet stare. “I don’t give a damn about the wrapping, Anthony. What’s the price?”Numbers were exchanged, fake smiles offered. Domenico crouched beside a crate, pulling out a semi-automatic and inspecting the chamber. Everything seemed legit—too legit.Then came the sound.A sharp whistle. Tires scre
The soft rustling of the curtains filled the quiet bedroom as the moonlight streamed in through the open windows, casting silver streaks across the floor. The night air was cool and still, carrying with it a sense of calm that the couple hadn’t felt in days. Dinner had been quiet, filled with concerned glances from Leonardo’s parents and affectionate giggles from their children, Vincenzo and Lucia. But now, in the sanctuary of their room, it was just the two of them—no distractions, no interruptions.Sofia sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her fingers over the blanket absentmindedly. Leonardo stood by the door for a moment, watching her. She looked fragile in the dim light, her hand resting protectively over her belly, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.He finally walked toward her, kneeling in front of her like a man seeking redemption.“I owe you an apology,” he said softly. “Not just for last night, but for all the times I let my anger win. For making you feel like y
When Leonardo finally arrived home in his disheveled state, guilt weighing heavy on his shoulders, he found Sofia waiting for him near the front door. Her phone trembled in her tight grip, and the moment she saw him, she shot to her feet, rushing toward him.She threw herself into his arms, her body shaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Where were you the whole night, Leonardo?” she cried, her voice breaking. “Who does this to his pregnant wife after a small fight, huh?”Her sobs echoed in the hallway as she pressed her face against his chest. Leonardo’s heart shattered at the sound of her pain. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as though he could shield her from everything—including himself.“I’m sorry, amore mio,” he whispered, lowering his head and pressing his lips to her hair. “It won’t ever happen again. I swear.”Sofia pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his stormy grey eyes with her tear-filled blue ones. Her voice was soft, but the words st
Leonardo stared at Ava, his heart sinking with helplessness. He still couldn't believe what had happened. The reality of his marriage, his love for Sofia, stood like an immovable wall between them. No—he loved Sofia, more than words could ever express, and the mere thought of betraying her, even if he didn’t remember every detail of the night, made him feel like a criminal.God, what have I done?He turned his gaze away, guilt consuming every corner of his mind. Ava was sitting on the edge of the bed, the sheet pulled around her like a fragile veil, watching him with eyes full of something that looked like hope. But staying here any longer would only be a bigger mistake. Whatever happened last night—it shouldn’t have.“I have to go,” Leonardo muttered, already stepping toward the door.His hand had just touched the knob when a trembling voice froze him in place. “Leo…” Ava whispered, her voice broken. “I’m very alone.”He stood still, his back to her. The image of Sofia’s face flashe
Ava reached out, her fingers tracing lightly along Leonardo’s chest as she whispered soft, seductive words into his ear. But even in his dazed state, his reaction was immediate and fierce—he jerked away, his eyes clouded and nearly closed, yet his actions were furious as he shoved her hand aside with surprising strength.“Ouch,” she muttered, stunned more by the rejection than the force. His body was firm, solid like carved marble, and every part of her ached with longing. She had dreamed of this moment for years, and now that he was here—in her home, in her bed—she couldn't accept defeat.But it was clear: he wasn’t yielding.Frustrated, Ava stepped back and signaled her driver, who had been waiting just outside the door. Without exchanging a word, he entered the room and silently helped her undress Leonardo—his limbs heavy, his consciousness fading. She administered another dose of the sedative, watching his breathing slow as the drug took effect.Only then did she dismiss the drive
Sofia didn’t want to call her—not now, not ever. It went against every ounce of pride she still had. The very idea of reaching out to her to ask about her own husband made her stomach twist with humiliation. But her instincts as a wife were louder than her ego. Something deep within her, something raw and unexplainable, told her she had to find Leonardo—and that she would do whatever it took.With a shaky breath, she tapped the name on her phone screen. The dial tone rang only twice.“Ava, hi,” she said softly as the call connected, trying to sound composed.There was a pause before Ava responded, her voice low, almost too calm. “Sofia,” she said, the way one might say the name of an unexpected guest. “What makes you call me today?”Sofia hesitated, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Um… is my husband with you?” she asked carefully, every word laced with tension.There was a sharp inhale from the other side.“Your husband? And you don’t know where he is?” Ava’s tone instantly shifted