The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Leonardo’s eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he locked onto Domenico’s. Leonardo’s fists involuntarily clenched, his knuckles turning white as his frustration surged. He yearned to strike Domenico, to obliterate that infuriatingly smug smile from his face.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“What do you mean?” Leonardo finally replied, his voice laced with a touch of confusion.

Domenico’s gaze hardened, his chin jutting forward in a defiant challenge. “I mean, the way you were behaving with Sofia, it wasn’t an act, was it?”

Leonardo’s hesitation grew, his mind grappling with the complexity of his emotions. He hadn’t expected Domenico to notice, to question the cracks in his icy demeanor. The truth was, he didn’t have an answer himself. Leonardo couldn’t comprehend why Sofia had the power to unravel him, to soften the edges of his hardened soul. It was as if a storm of conflicting feelings raged within him whenever she crossed his path.

His silence hung in the air, a veil of uncertainty enveloping the room. Leonardo knew he couldn’t brush off the inquiry, but he also couldn’t reveal his own confusion. How could he explain a phenomenon he didn’t understand himself?

Unwilling to disclose his vulnerability, Leonardo averted his gaze, choosing to deflect the question rather than face his own inner turmoil. With a deliberate motion, he swirled the amber liquid in his glass, the ice cubes clinking softly against the crystal sides. Raising the glass to his lips, he took a measured sip, the bitter taste momentarily distracting him from the weight of the conversation.

“Leo, what’s wrong? Talk to me. I know you weren’t just acting back there. You have to pretend to be in this marriage for three years, but that concern and care for your wife-it wasn’t fake,” Domenico said, his tone laced with genuine concern.

Leonardo recognized that this time Domenico was speaking as his friend, not merely his business partner. Domenico, after all, held the position of second-in-command in Leonardo’s Mafia world.

“I don’t know, Domenico. I don’t know what’s happening to me,” Leonardo confessed, his voice tinged with confusion. “But there’s something different about Sofia. She’s unlike any other girl I’ve ever met. When she cries, my heart aches. When she’s hurt, I want to burn this whole world down.” Leonardo ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his actions.

“I’m also trying to understand what I truly feel for her. However, deep down, I’m terrified of experiencing another heartbreak,” he admitted, his voice betraying a mix of vulnerability and apprehension.

Exhaling sharply, Leonardo locked eyes with Domenico. The latter observed Leonardo’s face intently, as if searching for answers within his friend’s troubled expression.

Leonardo tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Domenico with a challenging gaze. Domenico shook his head, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.

“I could tell, you know,” Domenico said, his voice laced with amusement. “The moment that bastard mentioned his boss wanted Sofia dead, and you unleashed your fury upon him, I knew something had changed. It was clear then and there that you had developed feelings for your wife.”

Leonardo’s mind flickered back to the haunting memory of when his men had brought in a man involved in Sofia’s kidnapping. During the interrogation, the henchman callously revealed their intention to kill Sofia. In that instant, Leonardo had lost control, his rage consuming him as he unleashed a brutal blow upon the goon’s face. It took the combined efforts of his men to restrain him from delivering the killing blow.

Domenico scratched his chin, his brows furrowing in confusion. “But I’m puzzled, my friend. Before your marriage, you despised Sofia with every fiber of your being. And now, I find myself wondering what could have transpired in Rome. It’s barely been a week since your wedding, and yet your heart has taken a complete 180-degree turn.”

As Domenico spoke, Leonardo’s anger surged once again, his fist shooting toward his companion’s face in a fit of fury. Reacting swiftly, Domenico instinctively raised his hands in a defensive posture, shielding his face from the impending blow.

“Hey! Hey! Hold on. I was just curious. If you don’t want to tell me, I won’t ask,” Domenico pleaded, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Leonardo clenched his fist tightly, his eyes piercing into Domenico’s. The air grew heavy with tension as he spoke, his words sharp and commanding, carrying the weight of authority. “And it’s Sofia Leonardo Morelli to you. Take her name with respect.”

Domenico’s face paled slightly, realizing his mistake. He stammered, desperately trying to rectify the situation. “Okay, boss. Please let me know if you want me to address her as ‘ma’am’ or something else. I don’t want to have a punch on my handsome face,” he blurted out, a hint of panic in his voice.

Both men shared a moment of brief amusement, their laughter echoing through the dimly lit room. The tension began to dissipate, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere.

Leonardo shook his head, a weary sigh escaping his lips. He couldn’t help but question why he was feeling this way, why emotions he had kept locked away for so long were now bubbling to the surface. It was as if a tornado of conflicting feelings was swirling within him, threatening to consume him entirely.

Domenico’s voice softened, his tone filled with sincerity. “But on a serious note, I really want you to figure out your feelings for Sofia before it’s too late. Let your guard down and set aside your fears. Allow yourself to feel what your heart truly desires,” he advised, his eyes conveying a sense of understanding.

Leonardo took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling in sync with the weight of his emotions. His eyes darted across the dimly lit room, searching for solace amidst the shadows. He had known heartbreak all too well, the searing pain that had consumed him for years, leaving scars that still lingered. The thought of subjecting himself to another emotional whirlwind terrified him, threatening to shatter the delicate balance he had finally achieved.

In the eyes of the world, Leonardo was the embodiment of a heartless man, his ruthless reputation echoing through the alleys of the city. He had built impenetrable walls around his heart, shielding it from vulnerability, from the risks that came with love. Yet, deep within his guarded exterior, a flicker of trepidation lingered, a fear of surrendering his heart to someone who wouldn’t handle it with care.

With a heavy sigh, Leonardo gathered his resolve and decided to seek solace in the living room of the Morelli mansion. Each step he took seemed burdened with the weight of his past, his mind a swirling storm of memories and apprehension. As he entered the opulent room, the atmosphere changed, the scent of wealth and power enveloping him like a suffocating embrace.

His eyes swept across the room, observing the luxurious furnishings and the portraits of Morelli family ancestors adorning the walls. It was a grand display of opulence, a stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions raging within him. But amidst the grandeur, Leonardo’s attention was abruptly seized by a scene that made him freeze in his tracks.