It would be much better if he accompanied her on the shopping trip. She wanted him to come."Ah... I want to come. I will try, but I cannot commit as I have some important meetings and lots of contracts and deals to read and sign," Leonardo said, cupping Sofia's face between his hands and caressing her jaw with the pad of his thumb."It's okay, I understand," she replied half-heartedly in a dull voice."Look at me, baby girl. Take your friends with you and buy them some stuff from our side. Have fun and shop with them. That way, you won't miss me," he said, and she knew he wanted her to cheer up."No need, Mr. Morelli. I will be fine on my own, and I don't want to spend your hard-earned money on my luxury," she pressed her hand on his chest."It's also your money, Mrs. Morelli. You can spend as much as you want," he said, smiling at her, making her roll her eyes. When would he stop spoiling her like this?"Okay. Go and get ready. Otherwise, you will be late for your office. I am leavi
Sofia found herself surrounded by a myriad of dresses in the exquisite shop, her brows furrowed in a mixture of confusion and anticipation. Domenico had introduced her as Mrs. Sofia Leonardo Morelli, and the attentive staff quickly ushered her toward their finest collection. She moved gracefully through the racks, her fingertips delicately grazing the fabrics as she searched for the perfect attire.A red halter-neck gown caught her attention, its flowing silhouette whispering promises of elegance. She slipped it on, admiring the way the fabric cascaded down to the floor. It was undeniably lovely, yet a flicker of discontent danced in her eyes. Determined to explore other options, she chose a black strapless gown that hugged her curves like a second skin. The dress exuded timeless beauty, leaving her breathless, yet the decision still eluded her. Each garment she tried on was a masterpiece in its own right, further complicating her choice with every new embrace of satin and silk.Yearn
Sofia gracefully stepped out of the trial room, her black knee-length dress hugging her curves, and in her hands, she held the exquisite peach mermaid gown. However, something felt amiss. Domenico, her trusted companion, was conspicuously absent. Confusion flickered across her face as she sought an explanation."Where is Domenico?" she inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern. Leonardo, her enigmatic partner in crime, responded with a furrowed brow before providing an unexpected reply."I sent him back to the office," he revealed, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Someone should, at the very least, continue working."As Sofia examined the gown, meticulously considering the perfect accessories and footwear to match, she couldn't help but feel a sense of completion slipping through her fingers. Finally, having made her choices, she knew her shopping excursion had come to an end. Passing the task of payment to Leonardo, she observed as he handed his card to
Sofia was immersed in the preparations for the grand party, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Leonardo, the enigmatic figure who had captured her heart. Her nerves tingled with excitement as she sat in front of the ornate vanity mirror, surrounded by a team of skilled makeup artists sent by Leonardo's mother, Anna. The artists worked their magic on Sofia's flawless canvas, enhancing her natural beauty.Dressed in a breathtaking peach mermaid gown that hugged her curves in all the right places, Sofia felt like a vision of elegance. The makeup artists skillfully highlighted her features, turning her blue eyes into captivating orbs of allure with a seductive winged look. Shimmering eyeshadows adorned her eyelids, casting a radiant glow that accentuated her mesmerizing gaze. A touch of peach-colored blush was delicately applied to her rosy cheeks, lending a youthful and radiant flush to her complexion. Her lips shimmered with a peach-shining lip gloss, inviting anyone who dared to steal
Emma chimed in, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "I can see it, Sofia. You are glowing and looking more beautiful. My, my! The after-marriage glow suits you," she complimented, a smile gracing her lips. Sofia couldn't help but be taken aback by Emma's words. Emma had never been one to offer praise, and Sofia knew it for certain. She scanned the room, half-expecting to find Kat lurking in some shadowy corner, her piercing gaze drilling into Sofia's very being. Yet, to Sofia's surprise, Kat was nowhere to be seen.Curiosity getting the better of her, Sofia turned to Carlo, seeking answers. "Where is Kat? Has she not come to the party?" Sofia's voice carried a tinge of wonder, for it would be yet another unexpected twist if Kat had indeed chosen to be absent. Attending these high-society gatherings was practically Kat's modus operandi. She would never pass up an opportunity to network with the heirs of wealthy families—an art Emma had instilled in her daughter from an early age,
Carlo's gaze bore into Emma, his expression a mix of fury and disappointment, causing a crimson hue to stain Emma's cheeks with embarrassment. Without hesitation, Emma seized Kat's hand, her grip firm and commanding. "You disobedient daughter, come with me," she admonished and forcefully dragged Kat away from the scene."I apologize, Sofia, on behalf of Kat," Carlo interjected, his remorseful smile tinged with sadness and regret."No, Dad, you don't have to apologize. She is my sister too. I don't mind her," Sofia responded, her smile genuine and forgiving. She had grown accustomed to Kat's insolence, reaching a point where she no longer expected anything more from her half-sister. Their relationship, if it could even be called that, was a mirage of indifference, both existing on the periphery of each other's lives.Carlo's hand tenderly brushed against Sofia's head as he spoke his parting words. "Take care, my child. I'll go and mingle with Alessandro and the other guests." Sofia nod
Leonardo couldn't help but be amused by the sight of Sofia's jealousy. Teasing her had always been a playful pastime, but now, as he witnessed the fiery anger reddening her cheeks, he found himself praying for his safety."Wow! You've become quite quick to change, haven't you?" Sofia remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "That day, you had no qualms about dancing with me. But now that I want to dance with you, you remind me that I cannot."Before Sofia could walk away in a huff, Leonardo firmly grasped her hand, leading her toward the dance floor. With a confident yet gentle touch, he wrapped his arm around her delicate waist, drawing her closer to his frame. The music enveloped them, its rhythm swaying their bodies in synchrony.His fingers traced a tantalizing path over Sofia's bare shoulders, their descent grazing the soft skin of her arm until they reached her wrist. Guiding her hand to rest on his shoulder, he caressed her cheek with the back of his knuckles, his touch both tender and
"What were you doing, Kat? Why would you deliberately upset your father?" Emma's voice dripped with annoyance as she forcibly pulled her daughter away from the proximity of Sofia and Carlo. Frustration seethed within Emma, for she realized that Kat's impulsive actions could potentially jeopardize her carefully laid plans. The girl's foolishness threatened to undo everything she had worked so hard to achieve.Ever since the harrowing incident involving Sofia's kidnapping, Carlo had begun to harbor doubts about Emma. She could sense the flicker of suspicion in his eyes, an unsettling shift in his trust. Emma was keenly aware that her husband no longer held her in the same regard as he once did."Mom, how could you expect me to put on a facade of congratulations and smiles when I despise her with such intensity?" Kat retorted angrily, her voice laced with a venomous disdain.Emma's patience wore thin, her frustration boiling over. "You need to exercise restraint, you foolish girl. Consi
“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