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
"Yeah, let's go," Leonardo said, his voice filled with a sense of readiness. He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, rising from the breakfast table with purpose. Sofia followed suit, stepping out of the room alongside him, her gaze scanning their surroundings.To her surprise, Mark stood by the door, waiting patiently. A polite smile formed on his face as their eyes met, and he greeted her, "Good morning, Mrs. Morelli." Sofia couldn't help but feel a tinge of novelty as she adjusted to being addressed by her new title.Returning the greeting, Sofia replied, "Good morning, Mr. Mark," her voice tinged with warmth. However, Mark quickly interjected, insisting she should call him by his first name, “Maam, please call me Mark.” Sofia nodded, appreciating his friendly gesture.As the pleasantries continued, Mark turned to address Leonardo respectfully. "Good morning, boss," he greeted, acknowledging Leonardo's presence."Morning, Mark. We're going to the shopping mall. Tell the driv
Returning to the payment area, Leonardo waited anxiously for Sofia to emerge. However, his attention was abruptly diverted as a familiar female voice called out his name. Startled, he turned to face the source of the voice, his eyes widening in surprise and apprehension. It was Diana, his ex-girlfriend, standing before him.Before he could react, Diana closed the distance between them and enveloped him in a hug, pressing her lips against his. Leonardo's mind went blank for a moment, completely caught off guard by her actions. He gently pushed her away, a mix of shock and anger flashing across his face."What are you doing, Diana? You should know that I am married," Leonardo stated firmly, his voice laced with a hint of irritation. The whole world knew about his marriage to Sofia, as it had been a grand affair covered by the media, and even their parents had made it a significant event.Diana seemed undeterred by his response, leaning against his chest once again. He firmly grasped her
Sofia's heartache consumed her, tears streaming down her cheeks in an unending torrent. She desperately tried to wipe them away, but they continued to flow, betraying her emotions. Each sob that escaped her lips echoed her inner turmoil."Why did I feel bad?" she questioned herself between broken sobs, her voice barely audible. She knew she shouldn't have been affected by Leonardo's actions, yet the pain gnawed at her heart. Her mind battled with conflicting emotions, unable to reconcile the hurt and confusion she felt. In her mind, she berated herself for thinking that someone like Leonardo could ever be interested in her.As her tears cascaded down her face, Sofia's self-doubt intensified. She couldn't help but compare herself to the woman Leonardo had been kissing. The image of a stunning, perfectly dressed woman taunted her, highlighting her own perceived inadequacies. She felt invisible, overshadowed by the radiance of someone who seemed to embody perfection.Her gaze dropped to
Leonardo's heart pounded in his chest as fear gripped him tightly. He had searched tirelessly for Sofia, but she remained elusive. Now, with his men by his side, they scoured every shop and store near the mall, desperately hoping to find any trace of her. His mind raced with worry, realizing that someone was after Sofia, someone who wanted her dead.As Leonardo's men fanned out in different directions, he felt a mix of frustration and anxiety building within him. He instructed them to inform him immediately if they discovered any sign of Sofia. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as he prayed silently for her safety, his mind consumed by thoughts of the danger she could be facing.Lost in his thoughts, Leonardo walked past a secluded corner when something caught his eye—a car parked nearby, its number plate bearing an unusual mark. His heart skipped a beat as he observed a group of individuals forcefully dragging Sofia toward the vehicle. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprinted toward
Ava’s lips pressed into a thin line before she snapped, her composed facade crumbling. "Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"Arthur, unbothered, merely tilted his head with a knowing smile. "Oh, my apologies, Miss Johnson. I forgot to introduce myself properly." He extended a hand with smooth politeness. "Arthur Walton, Mrs. Morelli’s assistant."Ava’s nostrils flared, her eyes darting between Arthur’s outstretched hand and his self-assured expression. With a defiant huff, she crossed her arms over her chest, making no effort to accept the gesture. The blatant rudeness only made Arthur’s soft smile more triumphant."Well," Arthur said, unfazed, "if you’ll excuse us, we have a meeting to attend." He turned to Sofia, his voice dipping into a more respectful tone. "Ma’am, we should hurry."Sofia gave a small nod, allowing him to take the lead. But as they moved past Ava, she couldn’t resist glancing over her shoulder one last time. The sight of Ava’s flushed face—anger pra
Sofia refused to let anything sour her mood before such an important meeting, so she chose to ignore Ava as they crossed paths in the hallway. But Ava’s voice, sweet and laced with amusement, sliced through the otherwise serene atmosphere."Sofia, wait!" Ava called, her words trailing after her like a deliberate taunt.Sofia exhaled sharply, sensing Arthur’s puzzled glance beside her as they continued walking."Just a minute, Arthur," she murmured, halting in her steps. She turned to face Ava, who sauntered toward her with a slow, deliberate sway of her hips, a victorious smirk curling at the corners of her lips."What a pleasant surprise, Sofia," Ava teased, her honey-coated tone dripping with mockery. Her eyes gleamed with an unmistakable challenge. "Is it just a coincidence that I seem to be running into you more often these days?"Sofia met her gaze head-on, unruffled. "That was actually my question," she replied smoothly, standing tall with quiet confidence. A faint smirk tugged
With a heavy heart, Sofia pushed aside her disappointment—there was no time to dwell on it. The day had to go on. She made her way to the garage, summoning the drivers together."How are the cars performing?" she asked, pen in hand, noting down their reports. Her tone was firm yet composed. "Remember, one of Dad’s cars is due for maintenance this week. Make sure it's scheduled on time."Tony, the head driver, gave a sharp nod. "Yes, ma’am. I’ll take care of it."Satisfied, Sofia wrapped up the briefing and turned toward the kitchen, checking on breakfast preparations. The cook reassured her that everything would be ready on schedule, allowing her to shift her focus to the most important part of her morning—her children.Heading to their room, she expected to wake them herself, but to her surprise, Bella was already there. She moved with gentle ease, nudging Vincenzo awake while smoothing Lucia’s hair, coaxing them into their morning routine."Thanks, Bella," Sofia said sincerely, touc
The evening had been filled with the lively chaos of children, their laughter echoing through the villa as they reunited with their cousins after so long. Bella had assured Sofia she would handle their bedtime, allowing Sofia to retire early. The promise of a quiet moment alone was tempting, but even in the solitude of her room, Sofia's mind refused to rest.Lying on the bed, she stared at the ceiling, the dim glow from the bedside lamp casting long shadows across the room. Her thoughts swirled, replaying the day’s events and the unspoken distance that lingered between her and Leonardo. The crack of the door opening broke the silence, and without turning, she knew it was him. His presence was something she could always sense—familiar, yet lately, it carried a weight that hadn't been there before."Angel," he called softly.Sofia shut her eyes tighter, feigning sleep. She couldn't face him—not tonight. There was too much unsaid, too much buried beneath the surface. If he wasn’t ready t
"She has come around over the years," Bella said with a soft smile, remembering those hard days. "Now she's been very nice to me," she assured him."Strange," Leonardo taunted, his tone skeptical."Shut up. My mother-in-law isn't a bad person, okay?" she protested."Whatever," Leonardo scoffed. "I'm just glad she's good to you.""Yeah, she's happy to have me as her daughter-in-law," Bella grinned proudly.Leonardo watched his cousin with a rare sense of contentment. Seeing Bella so happy, so at ease, brought him a measure of peace he hadn’t realized he needed. He had always worried about her—her future, her choices—but knowing she had found a loving husband in Matteo reassured him that she had chosen wisely.“She takes me everywhere, even to all those fancy kitty parties,” Bella said with enthusiasm, her eyes shining. “She introduces me to all her friends, as if she’s showing off a prized possession.”Leonardo chuckled, his lips curling into a smirk. “Oh, so she likes you because she
"Bella, let's go," Sofia said, holding her arm, but Bella didn’t budge, determined not to let go of this matter.Sofia sighed, looking at her fuming face. "Bella, forget him. Let's go. I have a lot to talk to you about. By the way, I have to complain. Why did you come after such a long time?" she asked with a hint of reproach in her voice.Bella's eyes shifted from her cousin to Sofia, and her expression softened."Aww, I'm sorry, Sofia. I'm so emotional. You missed me! Someone in the family actually missed me," she spoke dramatically. She was such a drama queen, but Sofia loved her sister-in-law."You are such a sweet angel. Leonardo named you correctly," Bella said, suddenly making a puppy face.Now Sofia wanted to roll her eyes at these two dramatic cousins. She couldn't decide whether Bella was on her side or her cousin’s. How quickly she changed."By the way, let's go and leave this stupid Leonardo Morelli alone to go to hell," Bella grimaced, casting a brief glance at her cousin
Sofia glanced at Leonardo, whose frustration was etched across his chiseled face. His stormy eyes locked onto her, a silent warning flickering beneath the surface."Bella, it's a matter between husband and wife. You shouldn't interfere," Leonardo interrupted just as Sofia opened her mouth to speak. His voice was low and firm, carrying the authority he wielded effortlessly. "We'll sort it out on our own."Bella's sharp gaze snapped toward him, unyielding."Leonardo, if you think I'll leave Sofia alone, then you're mistaken." Her voice was steady, but there was steel beneath the calm. "Sofia, you don't need to worry, and you don't have to leave this house. If anyone should leave, it's Leonardo."Bella squared her shoulders, stepping protectively in front of Sofia — a fierce pillar of unwavering support.Leonardo's scowl deepened, his jaw clenching. "Your habit of sticking your nose where it doesn't belong hasn't changed." His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. "In case you've
Leonardo's hand shot out, gripping her wrist with restrained force. His stormy grey eyes locked onto hers. "Stop it, angel. That's not funny.""I'm not joking," she snapped, yanking her hand away."I made it very clear to you baby girl from the very beginning... divorce is not an option in our marriage." His voice was low, dangerously calm, but the warning in his eyes sent chills down her spine."I won't live with you anymore, Leonardo." Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, but she held her ground. "Our relationship is suffocating. You should be happy — once I leave, you'll be free to play the devoted lover with your friend." Her voice dripped with mockery.Leonardo's eyes narrowed into icy slits. "She is only a friend for god's sake."A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Girlfriend, friend, soulmate — call her whatever you want. I saw the way you held her... the way she cried in your arms. Don't insult my intelligence by pretending there's nothing between you.""You think too much,
“Fuck!” Leonardo cursed, pushing Ava away. But she clung to his hand.“Leonardo, she’s angry. I think she misunderstood. Let me come with you and explain—”“No,” Leonardo cut her off coldly, shaking her hand away. “I can manage.”Without another word, he bolted out of the room, his heart racing as he hurried after his wife. But by the time he reached the parking lot, Sofia had already climbed into her car and sped off.“Damn it!” he growled, snatching the keys from his driver. He jumped into his own car and followed her, weaving through traffic at a reckless pace.To his relief, she drove straight home. The familiar gates of their villa loomed ahead, but the storm brewing inside the house was far worse than anything he’d faced on the road.Inside, Sofia’s entire being trembled with rage. She didn't know how she had made it home without crashing. Her mind replayed the gut-wrenching image of her husband holding Ava in his arms — comforting her, protecting her — as if she was the most pr