The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

When Leonardo woke up, his eyes fluttered open, and he found himself in an unfamiliar bed. Confusion clouded his mind for a moment until he surveyed his surroundings and realized he was in a hospital room. The sterile scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, and the steady beeping of machines filled the room with an eerie rhythm.

His gaze shifted, and his heart skipped a beat when he spotted Sofia sleeping peacefully on a chair beside his bed. Her hand clasped his, and her fingers were intertwined with his own. Traces of tears glistened on her cheeks, leaving delicate stains that hinted at her previous emotional outpour.

Battling against the pain in his back, Leonardo attempted to sit up. A sharp hiss escaped his lips, reminding him of his injuries. Yet, despite the discomfort, his love for Sofia compelled him to reach out and wipe away the remnants of her tears, hoping to bring her solace even in his own vulnerable state.

The nurses, alerted by his awakening, entered the room to assist him. They approached with gentle steps, their voices hushed as they checked his vitals and administered the necessary medications. Leonardo, aware of Sofia’s need for rest, whispered a request for them to keep their voices low so as not to disturb her slumber.

As the medical professionals attended to him, Leonardo’s mind wandered back to the harrowing incident that had brought him to this hospital bed. The memory of Sofia’s life being endangered sent shivers down his spine. In that split second, without hesitation, he had positioned himself between the bullet and her fragile form. It was at that very moment he realized the depths of his love for her, surpassing even his own self-preservation.

A soft chuckle escaped Leonardo’s lips as he contemplated the profoundness of his emotions. The nurses, glancing at him with perplexed expressions, wondered if he had somehow been affected by his injury. Yet, despite their bemusement, Leonardo couldn’t help but smile. This newfound sensation coursing through his veins was both exhilarating and unfamiliar. It ignited a desire within him to transform everything around him, to cherish Sofia like a precious gem, and to be the unwavering light in his otherwise dark existence.

A rush of overwhelming affection flooded his heart, and he whispered to himself, “She is my angel, the beacon of hope in my life’s abyss.” In that moment, with unwavering certainty, Leonardo realized he was deeply, irrevocably in love.

Eventually, Sofia stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttering open. As she initiated a conversation with Leonardo, an internal conflict raged within him. Should he seize this opportunity to confess his feelings, or would it be better to wait for a more opportune moment? Doubts and worries clouded his mind, fearing that his emotions might be misconstrued as a result of the overwhelming circumstances they had recently faced. He yearned to make this confession special, something that would convey the depth of his love for her.

“You know, everyone was worried about your health, and you didn’t even hesitate before taking that bullet,” Sofia said, her voice filled with concern as she continued to complain.

Leonardo chuckled softly and his eyes twinkled with soft emotion as he stared at her intently. His gaze held a message, though Sofia struggled to decipher its true meaning.

“Your mother was so worried. She cried continuously while you were in the operating room. How could you be so careless? Promise me you’ll never put yourself in danger again. You have so many people who love you deeply,” Sofia rambled on, reveling in the attention she received from him.

“Yeah?” Leonardo interrupted, causing her cheeks to flush. “And who are they?”

“Um… your mother,” she began tentatively.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“And…?” he prompted further.

“Your father?” she replied as she hesitated, knowing that Leonardo and his father had a strained relationship.

Leonardo rolled his eyes in response and sighed. “Ah, huh. And…?” he pressed on.

Sofia opened her mouth to speak, but the words failed to escape her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to confess her love for him. Yes, she loved him, and she realized when Leonardo’s life was in danger.

“Ah, you talk too much,” he said with a teasing smile. “You’ve just recovered from an injury; you should rest.”

Sofia sighed, feigning annoyance. “I suppose you’re right. You need your rest too. You’ve been sitting by my side all night.”

Leonardo sighed wearily and leaned back against the bed. “Why don’t you go home and take a nap, baby? I can see you haven’t rested properly.”

Sofia shook her head. “I’m fine. I don’t need rest. It’s you who needs to take proper sleep and care to recover quickly,” she pouted.

A gentle smile graced Leonardo’s lips as he spoke. “I think it’s the medication making me sleepy.”

“Then take a nap. I’ll be right here with you,” she said softly, clasping his hand as he settled back onto the bed.

When Leonardo roused from his slumber once again, he found himself surrounded by his entire family. His mother, father, cousins Bella, Luca, and Aldo, Uncle Angelo, Aunt Allegra, and his dear friend Domenico were all gathered around him. Sofia stood among them, effortlessly blending into the familial atmosphere. Leonardo couldn’t help but be awestruck by how quickly she had become an integral part of his family.

His mother was the first to approach him, her eyes filled with concern and love. “How’s my baby?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. It was in moments like these that Leonardo realized his mother still saw him as her little boy, despite the fearsome reputation he held as the mafia king.

A gentle smile curved Leonardo’s lips as he reached out and pulled his mother close, brushing away her tears. “I am alright, Mum. Please don’t cry,” he reassured her, his voice filled with tenderness. He enveloped her in a warm embrace, seeking to alleviate her worries and assure her of his well-being.

Bella, Luca, and Aldo approached next, their concern evident in their expressions. In unison, they bombarded Leonardo with questions about his health. “How are you, brother? You scared all of us,” they exclaimed, their voices filled with a mixture of relief and worry.

Leonardo chuckled and gave them a confident high-five. “Relax, guys. I am alright, okay?” he replied, trying to alleviate their concerns.

Domenico, always the light-hearted one, chimed in, mocking Leonardo gently. “Yeah, I can see that,” he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Leonardo knew that beneath the playful facade, Domenico was genuinely concerned for his well-being.

“You almost gave us heart attacks, lying there on your deathbed. Next time, try to come up with a smarter plan instead of scaring us to death,” Domenico quipped, lightly punching Leonardo’s shoulder.

“Ouch!” Leonardo yelped in response to the playful jab.

“Domenico!” Both his mother and Sofia reprimanded Domenico simultaneously, their voices filled with worry and admonishment. Leonardo smirked at his friend, and Domenico nodded back, a hint of understanding passing between them.

One by one, Leonardo’s family members came forward, expressing their concerns and asking about his health. His father remained in the corner, observing the scene with quiet strength. At that moment, Leonardo couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for having his family by his side. It was the first time in his life that he truly recognized the value of their presence. The adage rang true: family was indeed the anchor during times of adversity, and true bonds were forged in the crucible of hardship