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Chapter 166. Shattering Faith

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last update Last Updated: 2025-04-06 03:10:23

Ava didn’t knock. She barged into Leonardo Morelli’s office, pushing past his startled assistant who tried, and failed, to stop her.

“Leo!” she called out, breathless, clutching the handle of her handbag like it could steady her.

Leonardo didn’t look up from his desk. The light from the tall windows behind him bathed the room in a golden haze, highlighting his sharp jaw and perfectly pressed suit. He was every bit the mafia king—cold, composed, and commanding.

He exhaled sharply when he heard her voice. “Ava, I’m busy,” he said flatly, not bothering to mask his irritation. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“I know,” she replied, stepping in further. Her tone was soft but determined. “But I had to come. You can be angry at me later, but right now… you need to hear this.”

Leonardo finally raised his head, his expression unreadable. “If this is about a deal or your family’s shares—”

“It’s not,” Ava cut in. “It’s about Sofia.”

His jaw tightened at the mention of his wife’s name.

“I saw he
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  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   Chapter 170. No Escape

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  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   Chapter 169. Last Chance

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  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   Chapter 168. Insecurity

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  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   Chapter 167. Wicked Scheme

    The bar was dimly lit and half-empty, just the way he liked it.Leonardo sat at the far corner, swirling a glass of whiskey between his fingers. The burn in his throat did nothing to dull the ache in his chest.His mind kept replaying her words. I was scared. I didn’t know how to tell you. And then his own: You’re not the Sofia I married.He wanted to hate her. But the image of her trembling on the staircase, her eyes wide with guilt and pain, haunted him.But still, it felt like the cruelest betrayal—by the woman he loved most. How could she do this? If she didn’t want the baby, the least she could have done was talk to him first, share her fears, her doubts. The baby was his, too. It wasn’t just her choice to make. Maybe, together, they would have found a way. But deciding everything on her own? That was unfair. Unfair to him. Unfair to their family. Unfair to the innocent life growing inside her—their unborn child.Leonardo sat at the far end of the dimly lit bar, his fingers cl

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   Chapter 166. Shattering Faith

    Ava didn’t knock. She barged into Leonardo Morelli’s office, pushing past his startled assistant who tried, and failed, to stop her.“Leo!” she called out, breathless, clutching the handle of her handbag like it could steady her.Leonardo didn’t look up from his desk. The light from the tall windows behind him bathed the room in a golden haze, highlighting his sharp jaw and perfectly pressed suit. He was every bit the mafia king—cold, composed, and commanding.He exhaled sharply when he heard her voice. “Ava, I’m busy,” he said flatly, not bothering to mask his irritation. “You’re not supposed to be here.”“I know,” she replied, stepping in further. Her tone was soft but determined. “But I had to come. You can be angry at me later, but right now… you need to hear this.”Leonardo finally raised his head, his expression unreadable. “If this is about a deal or your family’s shares—”“It’s not,” Ava cut in. “It’s about Sofia.”His jaw tightened at the mention of his wife’s name.“I saw he

  • The Mafia's Substitute Bride   Chapter 165. Tough Decision

    It was a usual morning, and Sofia was getting ready for a meeting early in the day. Leonardo had cautioned her not to overwork herself, and she had assured him she was fine and wouldn’t let anything happen to the baby. They hadn’t told Vincenzo and Lucia about her pregnancy yet, deciding to wait a few months before announcing it to the family.Suddenly, Sofia’s phone rang—it was her gynecologist. Her heart instantly filled with unease, as Dr. Martinez didn’t usually call her directly.“Hey, Doc,” Sofia answered.“Good morning, Sofia,” Dr. Martinez’s voice came through the speaker. “How are you feeling today?”“I’m fine, Doctor,” Sofia replied skeptically. “What’s wrong?”There was a brief pause before Dr. Martinez sighed. “Sofia, can you come to my clinic today?”“Okay…” Sofia answered, her grip tightening on the phone.“And don’t come alone, okay?” Dr. Martinez advised.Sofia’s heart started pounding. “Doctor, is everything alright with my pregnancy?” she asked, her voice laced with

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