But Sofia didn’t have time to sulk over the lies of her husband. Shaking off the lingering disappointment, she quickly took Vincenzo and Lucia to their rooms to get them ready for school. After helping them dress, she guided them downstairs, ensuring they had their bags packed and everything they needed for the day."Bye, Mom!" Lucia shouted joyfully, adjusting the straps of her backpack."Bye, Mommy!" Vincenzo added, running ahead with his lunchbox in hand.Sofia crouched down and placed a soft kiss on each of their foreheads. "Be good at school, my loves. Listen to your teachers and take care of each other.""We will!" Lucia promised, flashing a bright smile before hurrying towards the waiting car.Sofia walked with them to the driveway, where the car and their bodyguards stood ready. She watched as the chauffeur held the door open for them, ensuring they got inside safely. As the car pulled away, she waved, maintaining her warm smile until they disappeared from sight.Once they were
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
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
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.
“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'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,
Sofia's heart pounded in her chest as the rain pelted against the windows, matching the rhythm of her mother's sobs. She could hear her mother's footsteps pacing back and forth in the living room, waiting for her husband to come home. Then, suddenly, the sound of a car pulling up to the house cut through the storm."Mama, he's here!" Sofia whispered, barely audible over the sound of the rain. She watched as her mother rushed to the door, wiping away her tears and plastering on a fake smile."Welcome home, dear," her mother said, her voice shaking. Sofia's father strode into the house, a beautiful woman in his arms. Sofia recoiled at the sight of her father's mistress, but her mother put on a brave face."Who is this?" her mother asked, trying to keep her tone light. "Is everything alright?""Everything is fine," her father sneered, pushing her away. "Can't a man have a little fun?"Sofia's mother's face fell. "Please don't hurt me," she begged. "I just wanted to make sure you were
*Seven Years Later*“Sofia, come to my room quickly.” Sofia heard her stepmother, Emma, calling her. She felt a pang of hunger in her stomach, but she knew she had to obey her stepmother's command. Sofia covered her plate and placed it on the slab before leaving. She couldn't risk facing the consequences of disobeying her stepmother.After her mother's death, her life became a living hell. Her stepmother didn't provide her with enough food to eat or proper clothes to wear. Sofia wasn't allowed to enjoy any luxuries in her father's mansion; she was treated as nothing more than a housemaid. Emma, her stepmother, justified her actions by claiming she was disciplining Sofia, fearing that without her mother, Sofia might turn out to be whore due to her mother's poor family background.Sofia was confined to the house and forbidden from attending any social gatherings or her friends' birthday parties. She wasn't even allowed to have any friends. Today after gathering all the leftover food from
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
But Sofia didn’t have time to sulk over the lies of her husband. Shaking off the lingering disappointment, she quickly took Vincenzo and Lucia to their rooms to get them ready for school. After helping them dress, she guided them downstairs, ensuring they had their bags packed and everything they needed for the day."Bye, Mom!" Lucia shouted joyfully, adjusting the straps of her backpack."Bye, Mommy!" Vincenzo added, running ahead with his lunchbox in hand.Sofia crouched down and placed a soft kiss on each of their foreheads. "Be good at school, my loves. Listen to your teachers and take care of each other.""We will!" Lucia promised, flashing a bright smile before hurrying towards the waiting car.Sofia walked with them to the driveway, where the car and their bodyguards stood ready. She watched as the chauffeur held the door open for them, ensuring they got inside safely. As the car pulled away, she waved, maintaining her warm smile until they disappeared from sight.Once they were
Sofia got up early in the morning, knowing it was a very significant day for her. Her first try in the pubs and casino had been successful, and now she was going to open more outlets. For this, she needed more investors.Leonardo had assured Sofia that they needed to share responsibilities and take care of their children together, but today, she decided to give him some time to get used to the idea.Sofia headed to the bathroom and took a relaxing shower, letting the warm water soothe her nerves. Once dressed casually in her daily wear, she went to the kitchen. She instructed the chef on what to prepare for Leonardo, their children, and herself for breakfast and packed lunches. The kitchen was bustling with activity as the chef and staff hurried to follow her instructions.The chef moved efficiently, chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients while the aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. Sofia watched as he arranged a healthy breakfast spread, making sure to include Lucia and Vinc
“Baby, you don’t have a choice. You’ll only get rid of me when I die,” Leonardo's voice carried a possessive edge, making Sofia's pulse race with conflicting fear and longing.“You say all these intense things, but you can’t even promise not to see Ava after today?” Sofia's voice wavered, frustration lacing every word.Leonardo exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ava needs help with her business. I’m yours, Sofia. You have nothing to feel insecure about.”Sofia’s chest tightened at his words. No matter what, he always found a reason to stand by Ava.“Let’s call it quits, Leonardo. You go to your childhood friend, and I’ll go my way.” Sofia’s voice cracked as she tried to free herself from his grip.Leonardo’s eyes darkened. “Look at me, angel,” he commanded. But Sofia averted her gaze, staring past him as she pushed against his chest. Yet, he stood firm as if rooted to the ground.Grasping her chin, Leonardo tilted her face upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You’re my
"What's wrong with that? I was with her because she needed me," Leonardo replied, his voice low with frustration."And what about me? I needed you too!" Sofia shot back, her voice cracking with raw emotion.Leonardo groaned, dragging a hand through his hair as if trying to push away the tension pressing down on him. His broad shoulders tensed, his posture rigid with frustration as he glanced away.“Sofia, not this again. I’m tired of having the same fight every day.” His voice dropped to a rough whisper, as though the argument weighed as heavily on him as it did on her.“Because you never give me the answers I need!” she shot back, her voice trembling with the raw ache swelling inside her. “You always run the moment I demand an explanation. And you expect me to just trust you?”Leonardo’s jaw clenched as he stepped closer, his presence radiating heat and tension. “I told you—I was helping Ava. That’s all it was. It's Not like was cheating on you, so why are you so angry?” His voice wa