Sofia and Domenico stepped out of the imposing mansion that belonged to the Russian mafia, an opulent private jet awaited them on the tarmac, engines humming softly in the background.“I think you should go back and help him. I will be alright,” Sofia told Domenico, her concern evident in her voice. She couldn't shake off the worry for Leonardo, who was now alone, surrounded by numerous armed men and the ruthless Don Adrik. In her heart, she prayed fervently for his safety, hoping he would return to her soon.“Don't worry. He will be alright. He is Leonardo Morelli. No one can touch a single hair on his head,” Domenico reassured Sofia with unwavering confidence.“He is alone there and surrounded by fifty armed people. Don Adrik is also very dangerous. I am scared for Leonardo's safety. Please, I beg you to go back to him,” Sofia pleaded, her eyes filled with anxiety.Domenico's expression softened, but he remained resolute. “I am sorry. I have orders to take you home safely. Your saf
Leonardo's eyes were consumed by an insatiable longing to see Sofia's face as he stepped foot in Genoa. He was in a frenzied hurry to reach home, every fiber of his being throbbing with the pain of separation from his beloved wife. He felt as though he couldn't survive another minute without her presence, craving to lay his eyes on her, to feel her touch, to know that he was truly alive. Each passing second without her felt like a slow and agonizing death.Rushing toward the airport exit, Leonardo's heart raced with anticipation. His car awaited him, and he swiftly settled inside, urging the driver to go faster. The long drive to his home felt unbearable, his patience worn thin by the relentless yearning that consumed him.As the car came to a stop before his opulent mansion, Leonardo wasted no time. He leapt out of the vehicle and dashed inside, his eyes searching for Sofia. His father and uncle sat in the grand hall engaged in conversation while his cousins lingered nearby. However,
Leonardo's arms tightened around Sofia, enveloping her in a protective embrace. His voice, a mixture of reassurance and concern, resonated in the space between them."We will be alright, baby girl. We will find a way to work through this, just as we have overcome our differences before. There is a solution to everything, but for now, I need you by my side. Promise me you won't try to walk away," he pleaded, his gaze intense and searching.Sofia shifted against his chest, a silent affirmation of her commitment. Leonardo pulled away slightly, his eyes locking onto hers, searching for answers to the questions that haunted him."Why did you try to run away from me? What were you thinking? Do you realize you could have killed me?" His words carried a tinge of coldness as he recalled the pain of her escape.Sofia gasped, her voice trembled as she spoke, her emotions pouring forth. "I... I was afraid of being hurt again. When I overheard your conversation with your father, I thought you wou
"That's not fair," Sofia protested, her voice tinged with frustration, as Leonardo turned his back on her.His deep laughter reverberated through the air, causing her heart to race."Everything is fair in love and war, sweetheart," he announced shamelessly, his confidence evident in every word.Sofia took a deep breath, feeling the need to be heard. She mustered her courage and made a decision. With a determined look in her eyes, she reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting it slide off her shoulders and fall to her side."Leonardo, I miss my husband," she confessed, her voice desperate and vulnerable.He chuckled, dismissing her emotions as mere tricks. He removed his coat and loosened his tie, yet still avoiding eye contact, trying to resist her charms.Undeterred, she walked slowly toward him, her eyes locked on his. As he unbuttoned his shirt, she took a stand in front of him, encircling her arms around his neck, drawing her body closer to his.He reacted immediately, gri
The following day, Sofia slowly stirred in Leonardo's embrace, her eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Her head nestled under his chin, and his arms held her tightly as if not wanting to let her go. She relished the comforting warmth of his body against hers, a contented smile playing on her lips as she basked in the intimacy of the moment.She attempted to untangle herself, but Leonardo let out a soft groan, tightened his grip, and gently shook his head, silently urging her to stay. His voice, still husky with sleep, murmured, "Stay a little longer.""Let go of me. I need to use the bathroom," she said, her voice muffled against his chest, her fingers lightly tracing circles on his skin."But come back soon, okay?" Leonardo replied, his eyes still closed. He loosened his hold on her, allowing her to slip out of bed. As she stood up, she realized she was completely naked, feeling a slight blush creep into her cheeks. She picked up a soft, flo
"Sofia…" Leonardo tried to speak, but she glared at him fiercely, causing him to falter and stop mid-sentence."I said that I don't want to listen to either of you!" she exclaimed with a heavy voice, her emotions threatening to spill over. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she struggled to keep her composure while reprimanding the two men she loved more than life itself. The conflicting emotions within her heart weighed heavily, torn between her love for both of them and the exhaustion caused by their constant disputes.Leonardo tried to comfort Sofia, gently massaging her shoulder. "Okay... okay... you just relax and calm down. I won't say anything," he assured her, his touch comforting. "If you want, I apologize to Mr. Ricci. But you stop crying," he added in a low voice, and Sofia's heart melted at his concern.Carlo, however, remained skeptical, accusing Leonardo of putting on a facade. "Stop acting in front of her, Leonardo. I know that you are not an emotional kind
The doctor's office was suffused with tension as Leonardo kept intimidating the doctor with his demanding demeanor. Sofia, feeling a mix of concern and embarrassment, rubbed her forehead, worried that his behavior might hinder the doctor's examination."I want to be assured about everything. I don't want to have any doubts. Run more tests if needed, but make sure she and my baby are fit and fine. I can't afford to take any risks," Leonardo asserted, his commanding aura filling the room.As Sofia anxiously observed the situation, she knew she had to intervene before he overwhelmed the doctor. She whispered-yelled at him, trying to catch his attention. "Leonardo!"His gaze turned toward her, and his demeanor softened as he addressed her with an endearing nickname. "Yeah, baby girl! You just sit and relax. I will handle everything."Flustered and embarrassed, she blushed at his choice of words, especially in front of the doctor. She leaned closer, speaking near his ear in a hushed tone.
When Leonardo returned home, he found Sofia lazing on the couch, deeply engrossed in working on her class project. Hearing the door click shut, she slightly lifted her head from the laptop and directed her gaze toward her husband.As Leonardo approached, Sofia closed her laptop and got up, a bright smile illuminating her face. He closed the remaining distance between them, and she eagerly stepped closer, their bodies coming together as he wrapped his arm around her waist and gently pressed his lips against hers.She smiled against his lips, savoring the sweet intimacy of their greeting, and asked as they pulled away, "How was your day?""As usual, it was the same. But now I feel my night will be better," he said with a loving smile, his other hand finding its place around her as she took his bag and jacket. Sofia playfully rolled her eyes, earning a soft chuckle from Leonardo."How was your day?" he inquired, pecking her forehead."It was good. I cracked a new deal, and I feel it will
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,