Sofia raised her head as Leonardo entered the opulent living area. Her eyes lit up, and a radiant smile graced her beautiful face. It was impossible for Leonardo not to smile in return; every time he saw her innocent expression, his stone heart came alive. The way Sofia's eyes sparkled when she looked at him made him feel like the center of her universe.But a nagging fear haunted Leonardo's mind. How would he ever survive if she decided to leave him once their contract marriage was over? The thought sent a chill down his spine, disrupting the warmth he felt in Sofia's presence. He realized he had unconsciously furrowed his brow, mirroring the worry that had replaced Sofia's smile.Oh, my angel, your smile is everything to me. I must find a way to bring it back to your face, he pondered, shaking his head slightly as if to dispel his troubled thoughts. With determination, he continued his stride toward her.However, his progress was interrupted when he heard Bella's voice calling out t
Leonardo's gaze hardened as he delved into the painful memories of his past. He knew he had to be honest with Sofia, to reveal the depths of his heartache. With a deep breath, he whispered, "Yes, I was in love with Evelyn."Sofia's eyes remained fixed on Leonardo, capturing his attention completely. He found himself momentarily lost in the depths of her captivating blue eyes, but he quickly composed himself, clearing his throat to continue."I was only nineteen at the time, Sofia," Leonardo began, his voice tinged with a mixture of regret and resignation. "I was in college and foolishly gave my heart to Evelyn. However, she betrayed my trust and cheated on me with a famous NFL player."As he recalled the pain of Evelyn's betrayal, Leonardo's gaze shifted, glancing out through the window, as if seeking solace in the outside world."But it has been seven years since then," he said, a hint of carelessness entering his voice. "I have moved on, and the wounds have healed. I have forgotten
Leonardo's fingers hooked into the waistband of her panties, causing Sofia to gasp in surprise. With a sudden jerk, he ripped the sheer fabric into shreds and discarded it carelessly. His gaze trailed hungrily over her exposed form as he began undressing himself.Efficiently, his suit jacket was discarded, the tie forcefully removed and tossed aside, its destination lost in the chaos of the room. Impatience fueled his actions as he hastily unbuttoned his shirt, leaving him only in his black boxers, showing his boner poking the thin material of his black boxers.Sofia's anticipation grew, her thighs clenching involuntarily as she felt the raw desire pulsating between them. Leonardo crawled onto the bed, urging her to lie on her back. His lips found hers, claiming them with an intensity that left her breathless. They kissed passionately, his mouth exploring every inch of hers, his tongue seeking and entwining with hers, igniting a fire that consumed them both in its intoxicating embrace
Sofia was hungry, so she decided to have breakfast first before calling Leonardo. She pulled out a chair at the dining table and sat down. Sofia informed the servant that she would be fine with anything for breakfast. They served her an array of dishes, and her taste buds rejoiced at the sight of so many delicious foods spread out before her. Once she had eaten her fill, she set down her fork and spoon, bidding farewell to the dining room as she made her way back to her room.Sofia indulged in a lengthy shower, luxuriating in the warm water cascading over her body. She lingered in the bathtub, fully immersed in the soothing comfort, while her chosen playlist filled the air from the speakers discreetly mounted in the bathroom's corners. After emerging from the refreshing bath, she slipped into a fresh set of clothes and turned on the television to pass the time. As she sat there, she anxiously awaited Leonardo's call or message. Though a romantic movie played on the screen, her mind was
Domenico nodded sympathetically, his expression conveying understanding. "I can understand, ma'am," he responded gently."Call me Sofia," she corrected him abruptly, wanting to assert some familiarity amidst her distress.Domenico's face showed a hint of concern, and he responded, "Oh no, ma'am! I am not permitted to address you by your name. I value my life too much," he said with a chuckle, leaving Sofia perplexed. What did he mean by such a cryptic statement?Sensing her confusion, he continued, tapping his chin as if deep in thought. "So, the issue lies in your desire to spend quality time with your husband while he fails to provide you with the attention you seek. Hmmm..." Domenico's words trailed off, indicating his contemplation of the matter.Then, he turned his gaze toward Sofia, mustering a gentle smile, and spoke with the utmost politeness, "Given that you are married to the most successful and affluent man in the country, you must understand the immense responsibilities an
Leonardo's breathing became heavy, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. His heartbeat thudded in his ears, the sound echoing in his head as his pulse raced into his cardiac chamber. Sweat dotted his forehead, evidence of the adrenaline coursing through his veins."Tell me, baby girl," he whispered, his voice husky with desire. He leaned in closer to Sofia, his face mere inches from hers, his eyes filled with a mixture of longing and anticipation. With one swift motion, he kicked the door open, the force of it propelling them forward as he continued to hold her securely in his arms. Taking purposeful strides, he carried her toward the bed, his movements confident and deliberate.Reaching the bed, Leonardo gently placed Sofia down, his touch tender yet possessive. He was about to pull away, but Sofia's hands clung to his neck, her fingers entwined in his hair, refusing to let go."What, baby girl?" he asked, his voice a low murmur. He brushed a strand of hair away from
Sofia's disappointment dissipated as she entered the bathroom, the cool water splashing on her face like a gentle wake-up call. With renewed vigor, she hastily freshened up, determined to seize the moment. As she walked down the hall, her footsteps seemed lighter, her heart was sad and missing her husband.To her surprise, the gloomy corridors led her to a heartwarming sight. There he was, Leonardo, seated at the breakfast table with his laptop open before him. His typically unreadable demeanor softened, and his tea sat neglected, growing colder with each passing moment."You haven't left for your work?" Sofia inquired, taking a seat beside him, her smile radiant and genuine. It had been an entire week since they had the chance to share breakfast together, and her joy couldn't be contained.Leonardo chuckled, playfully teasing her, "Why, baby girl? Are you not happy to see me?" He knew all too well the happiness he brought to her by being there, breaking his routine for this special o
"Sofia, you missed so many classes. If you need any assistance or notes, you can ask me," Rena's words broke through the air, laced with sincerity and genuine concern. Sofia lifted her head, her eyes meeting Rena's with surprise. The kindness radiating from Rena's offer struck a chord within Sofia, for it was a gesture she had never experienced before."Thanks, I really appreciate that," Sofia's voice carried a soft gratitude, her heart warming at the thought of someone extending a helping hand. In that moment, Rena's genuine nature pierced through the superficial facade that often dominated the halls of their school."I got you, girl. So... friends?" Rena's hand extended toward Sofia, an invitation to forge a connection. Sofia hesitated for a moment, her mind wrestling with the skepticism bred from past experiences. But the sincerity in Rena's eyes and the warmth of her gesture melted Sofia's reservations. With a tentative smile, she reached out and clasped Rena's hand in hers."By t
Sofia was pleasantly surprised and deeply gratified. As Arthur had said, they truly proved to be an excellent team. Together, they had handled the negotiation seamlessly, leaving the client with no choice but to finalize the agreement."I told you, Sofia. I already knew this deal was ours—after all, our boss is truly exceptional," Arthur said smugly, though his voice carried genuine admiration.His words were undeniably flattering, bringing a smile to Sofia’s lips. Recognition for one's achievements was always gratifying, and his praise only fueled her determination to prove herself worthy of the trust placed in her."Thank you, Arthur. We both made it happen. Your support was invaluable," she responded politely, appreciating his unwavering assistance.Arthur chuckled, his bright smile widening. "You're welcome, ma’am," he said with playful formality. "So, do I deserve a lavish meal at my favorite luxury restaurant?" he asked, his eyes filled with hopeful expectation.Sofia let out a
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,