Sofia gently shook Leonardo, and he slowly stirred awake, his eyes blinking open. "I can't seem to get any sleep. I want to go for a walk. Will you accompany me?" she asked softly.He peered at her with one eye, looking down at her face. "Are you serious, angel? At this hour?" he inquired, his voice still heavy with drowsiness."Do I look like I'm kidding?" she retorted, narrowing her eyes playfully."No! You're serious," he whispered, removing his arms from around her and sitting up on the bed. He rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms upward, letting out a big yawn. Throwing his legs over the side of the bed, he stood up on his feet and ran his hands through his dark hair to tame it."Okay, babe, let's go for a walk," he finally said in his still-sleepy voice, and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for waking him up in the middle of the night. But it was all for the sake of his birthday surprise. She got up instantly and walked over to him, holding his hand."I'm ready," she
Finally, the day they had both eagerly awaited had arrived - the day when Sofia and Leonardo would officially become husband and wife. Leonardo couldn't contain his happiness; Sofia would now be his forever, not just as his wife and love but also as the mother of their future child. He was determined to ensure she never had a reason to complain, and he was ready to give her the world.Never in his wildest dreams did Leonardo, once known as the heartless, ruthless, and merciless Leonardo Morelli, imagine that he could fall in love so deeply that it would completely transform his life. He was no longer the same man he used to be before marrying Sofia. With her and his newfound family, he felt like a changed person, unafraid to express his love openly.His heart swelled with excitement as he eagerly waited at the altar, ready to take each wedding ritual and vow to make Sofia his for eternity. Domenico, his best man, and Bella, the bridesmaid, stood by his side, witnessing this beautiful
Carlo stood there, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions – betrayal, anger, and heartbreak. His mind couldn't grasp the fact that Emma, the woman he loved so deeply, could be capable of such cruelty. He felt like he had failed to fulfill her every wish, questioning himself if he had ever been enough for her. A surge of guilt washed over him, making him wonder if he could have done something differently to prevent this situation.His love for Emma was so profound that he would have willingly sacrificed his life if it could satisfy her desires. But now, seeing what she had done – kidnapping Sofia, his precious daughter – Carlo knew that Leonardo, whoever that was, would show no mercy to her. The anger within him boiled, and the word "fucking" slipped out as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.Carlo took a deep, heavy sigh, trying to gather his thoughts and calling Emma on the phone. But to his dismay, her phone was out of reach, leaving him feeling even more helple
"But Emma, what about...." Lana's voice quivered with a mix of uncertainty and suspicion, her eyes narrowed as she questioned Emma's true intentions. Deep down, Lana sensed that Emma might not assist her in seeking revenge against Sofia, and that thought troubled her greatly. Her doubt was evident in the way she hesitated before speaking.Emma's face contorted into a scowl as she impatiently looked at Lana. She couldn't afford Lana's impulsive actions jeopardizing her well-laid plans. Emma felt a pang of fear, worried that Lana's impulsiveness might indeed ruin everything she had worked so hard for."Shut up, Lana, just keep your mouth shut," Emma scolded with a hint of irritation, causing Lana's expression to shift into a frown. She glared at Emma, offended by the harsh reprimand, but Emma simply brushed her off, unwilling to entertain any further distractions.Then came Sofia's quiet yet resolute voice, tinged with sadness and confusion. "Emma, if you wanted the Empire, you could ha
"Boss, the signal is getting stronger and coming from that house," Mark said, his voice tense with urgency, as he pointed toward a big house at the end of the lane. Leonardo wasted no time and hurried with his army to reach the house, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. Every second felt like an eternity as he dashed toward the entrance, driven by the need to find Sofia and ensure her safety.As they approached the house, Leonardo's instincts went into overdrive. The eerie silence sent shivers down his spine, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. Danger lurked within those walls, and he braced himself for the unknown.Gesturing to his men, Leonardo signaled for them to proceed with caution, not making a sound as they searched for any possible entrance. However, their efforts proved fruitless, as every opening was sealed shut, leaving them no choice but to break down the door forcefully.Mark heeded Leonardo's signal, forcefully breaking the door, and the team swiftly entered,
"Carlo, just get out of this matter. I will explain everything to you when I come home. At this time, you just go away from here. Let me handle this," Emma pleaded, her panic evident in her voice. Leonardo couldn't help but notice the sudden change in her demeanor – the same woman who had threatened them moments ago now seemed terrified. "No, Emma, we have to solve this right now. Just leave Sofia. We will talk about it and put the gun down. Where the hell did you get this gun?" Carlo's voice carried a mix of concern and frustration as he confronted his wife. Leonardo realized that Emma must have stolen Carlo's gun. The revelation further cemented his belief in the depths of her evil nature. He couldn't comprehend how someone could be so selfish and heartless, not even sparing a thought for her husband's feelings or safety. "Don't give me your lecture, Carlo. I am not in the mood to listen to any of your nonsense. I know that Sofia is your daughter from Lucia, and I hate her for tha
Sofia's heart ached, her emotions conflicting as she fought against feeling anything for the people who had never cared for her. But family ties ran deep, and despite her best efforts, she couldn't deny the pain she saw in her father's eyes. Carlo cried inconsolably, clutching Emma's lifeless body tightly against him. Tears streamed down his face, his cheeks glistening with sorrow, and his body trembled as he silently wept.Sofia turned her teary eyes toward Leonardo, seeking support and understanding. He gently unwrapped his arm from around her, gesturing for her to go to her father. Slowly, she approached Carlo, her heart heavy with the weight of the situation. She had never been in a position to comfort anyone before, let alone her own father. This tragedy was partly due to her own past, and she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.With trembling hands, she placed one on her father's shoulder. Carlo turned his head toward her, his eyes red and filled with tears. "Dad," Sofia whisp
Amidst the awe-inspiring surroundings, Sofia's eyes instantly locked on Leonardo, her soon-to-be husband. He stood tall, exuding confidence and elegance in his black three-piece suit. Her heart skipped a beat as she took in his striking appearance. Her mind playfully wandered into a realm of desire, appreciating every inch of his perfectly sculpted frame."Get a grip, girl," she scolded herself internally, blushing at her perverted thoughts about her future husband. This was her wedding day, after all.As Sofia walked toward the stage, her eyes remained fixated on Leonardo, unable to tear her gaze away. He was the center of her universe, and today, he would become her partner for eternity. Her father, Carlo, let go of her hand when Leonardo extended his, gracefully asking for hers. Her heart swelled with joy as she slipped her hand into his, feeling the warmth of his touch, comforting and reassuring.Leonardo guided her up the small step to the platform where he stood, and she felt a
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
Leonardo was leaving after his meeting with the CEO of SuperTech Innovations, eager to reunite with his wife, when his phone buzzed with a text notification. He pulled it out from the inner pocket of his suit jacket.‘Meet me at the conference room in the left northern wing.’It was a text from Ava.His eyes scanned the hall, finding her standing at a distant corner. Their gazes locked for a fleeting moment before she turned toward the conference room without waiting for a response. Leonardo furrowed in confusion, slipping the phone back into his pocket before following her quietly.As he entered the conference room, Ava stood in the middle of the room with her back facing him. The faint scent of her expensive perfume lingered in the air."What's wrong, Ava?" Leonardo's voice was low with concern. Ava turned abruptly, revealing red-rimmed eyes and streaked mascara. Tears rolled down her cheeks.Leonardo frowned, stepping closer and pulling out his handkerchief and offering it to her.
All heads turned as Leonardo strode in, his usual dominating aura filling the room. He walked toward Sofia, wrapping an arm around her waist before pressing a deep kiss to her lips. Sofia's eyes widened at the unexpected public display of affection, aware they were at an official conference, not in the privacy of their room."I'm sorry, babe. I was stuck in traffic."Liar. But why had he decided to show up at the last moment?Leonardo turned to face the room, his piercing gaze sweeping over the attendees, particularly those who had expressed displeasure with the bid.“Who wants to go against my wife and get blacklisted from doing business worldwide?” His voice was calm, yet the underlying threat was unmistakable.The room fell into a pin-drop silence. Gazes lowered, and no one dared to challenge the intimidating presence of Leonardo Morelli.Sofia suppressed a giggle, watching her mafia husband command the room with ease. He was dangerous and intimidating, but he always knew how to get
Of course, ma’am," Arthur said, regaining his composure. "I'll summarize the key points on the way."Without wasting another second, Sofia grabbed the necessary files, and together, they headed toward the waiting car, both bracing for the high-stakes meeting ahead.Arthur opened the door for Sofia before taking a seat beside her and instructing the driver on the address where they had to go. The engine roared to life, and they sped off toward the company where the bid for the future project would take place. The cityscape blurred past them, a mix of towering buildings and bustling streets.“Alright, fill me in on the specifics,” Sofia said, glancing at Arthur.He took a deep breath and began to outline the key points of their proposal and the strategies they would use to impress potential clients. He did his best to provide all the necessary details. Yet, despite their brief discussion, Sofia still felt it might not be enough to secure the deal.As Sofia entered the conference room at