The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Sofia was filled with immense joy. She couldn’t contain her excitement any longer and wanted to share the news of her pregnancy with Leonardo. It was a moment she had been eagerly waiting for. Without wasting a second, she headed straight to his office, determined to surprise him. However, Leonardo’s secretary attempted to intervene.

“Ma’am, Mr. Morelli is currently busy. Please wait for some time. Let me inform him about your presence,” Leonardo’s secretary said, trying to delay Sofia.

“No, no. Please don’t inform him. I want to surprise him. I have news that simply can’t wait any longer,” Sofia replied, her grin revealing her anticipation. She darted past the secretary and made her way directly to Leonardo’s office.

Sofia was Leonardo’s wife, and she knew that this news couldn’t be kept a secret any longer. She was confident that he would be just as overjoyed as she was. Gripping the doorknob, she was about to twist it open when she unexpectedly overheard a conversation from inside the office.

“I’m sure you’re aware of Sofia’s mother and her reputation. You already know why Carlo detested his wife,” Sofia heard Leonardo’s father say. Her heart sank as she listened to their discussion, standing there frozen with confusion.

“Dad, there’s no need to remind me of that,” Leonardo responded with frustration evident in his voice, which seeped through the slightly open door.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

After a long silence, Sofia strained to hear Leonardo’s father speak again. “Leonardo, remember that this marriage was contracted for only three years,” he said, reminding Leonardo of their agreement. Sofia was left dumbfounded, trying to make sense of their conversation.

“I’m well aware of that, Dad,” Leonardo replied in a bored tone, his voice reaching Sofia’s ears. She couldn’t comprehend why she was listening to this unsettling exchange.

“You don’t have to pretend to be in love with Sofia,” Leonardo’s father stated matter-of-factly, causing Sofia’s heart to plummet to the pit of her stomach. He had been pretending, putting on an act of care and possessiveness, but love was absent. Sofia’s hand instinctively moved to touch her stomach, feeling a mixture of emotions.

“I’m not pretending anything, Dad,” Leonardo’s cold and stern voice resonated, further piercing Sofia’s thoughts. It forced her to question the true intentions behind his sweet gestures. He wasn’t pretending, and he didn’t love her. The realization left Sofia bewildered, prompting her to continue listening attentively to their conversation.

“Then why haven’t you obtained her signature on the power of attorney for the Ricci Empire?” his father shouted at him, revealing their ulterior motives.

Now Sofia realized they wanted control of the Ricci Empire.

“How many times do we have to discuss this, Dad? I’m tired of it,” Leonardo calmly responded, his voice unexpectedly composed.

Sofia stood there in shock, her heart pounding in her chest, as she processed Leonardo’s words. He didn’t deny it; he wanted her empire too. The realization suffocated her as if the very air around her had turned thin and oppressive. She needed to escape this place, to get away from Leonardo and his hurtful assumptions about her mother and herself. How could he, too, believe those false rumors?

The tears welled up in her eyes, and her heart ached with the revelation that Leonardo never truly loved her. All his sweet gestures and apparent caring were merely a facade to gain her trust so she would sign those papers. He was after her empire, not her heart.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she broke down in tears and hastily left his office. As she walked away, the pain in her heart intensified, making it hard for her to breathe. She felt lost, with no one to turn to or trust. Everyone around her seemed driven by greed and selfishness, caring only for money and power, and not for love or feelings.

Fear gripped her as she thought about her unborn child. What if Leonardo didn’t want the baby? She couldn’t bear the thought of her child growing up in a loveless environment, just like she had. Determination surged within her – she would protect her baby at all costs.

Realizing that she needed help to escape from Leonardo’s watchful eye, she thought of Rena. With trembling hands, she dialed Rena’s number. Rena answered immediately.

“Sofia, where are you? What did the doctor say? Are you okay?” Rena asked with genuine worry.

“Rena, I need your help. I cannot trust anybody here. I want to escape. I want to run so far away from here that nobody can reach me,” Sofia pleaded, her voice quivering with emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“What happened? Why are you crying? Sofia, calm down and tell me in detail,” Rena spoke soothingly over the phone, trying to provide comfort despite the distance.

“Leonardo doesn’t love me. He’s only interested in my Empire. I’m pregnant, Rena. I can’t bear to stay here with these selfish people who only covet my property and wealth,” Sofia poured her heart out, the weight of her situation evident in her words.

“Okay… okay… take a deep breath and tell me where you are. Enzo and I are coming for you,” Rena assured her, her mind already strategizing to help her friend.

Sofia took a moment to compose herself, wiping her tear-streaked cheeks with the back of her palm. “I am at Morelli Enterprises, and my bodyguards are standing outside the building. I need to leave without anyone noticing. If Leonardo finds out about my plan to escape, he’ll stop me. He’s so powerful, and I can’t fight him. That’s why I need your help to get me out of this place,” she implored, knowing Rena was her only hope.

Sofia anxiously waited for Rena and Enzo to arrive, every passing second feeling like an eternity. Finally, her phone rang, and it was Rena calling.

“Where are you, Sofia? We are here for you. Come to the lobby. We have a plan. We will get you out of this place and take you to a safe location,” Rena informed her with determination in her voice.

Feeling a glimmer of hope, Sofia stealthily made her way toward the lobby, doing her best to avoid drawing any attention. There, amidst the crowd, she spotted Rena and Enzo.

They rushed towards Sofia the moment they saw her, surrounding her protectively as they guided her toward the restroom. Rena embraced Sofia, concern etched across her face. “What’s wrong, Sofia? Why were you crying over the phone? Please, tell me,” she implored.

Sofia took a deep breath and began recounting everything about the conversation she had overheard between Leonardo and his father. Rena let out a heavy sigh. “We never thought about this side of Leonardo. He seemed so in love with you, always caring. But looks can be deceptive, and now it’s proven. Don’t worry, Sofia, we’re here for you. Quickly change into these clothes,” Rena said, handing Sofia a packet, the confusion evident in her eyes.

“You need to wear a housekeeping uniform for the office staff and this large cap to hide your face. We’ll help you get out safely,” Enzo explained. Sofia noticed that both Rena and Enzo were also clad in housekeeping uniforms. She wasted no time and changed into the provided attire.

Carefully and stealthily, they navigated their way toward the exit, Sofia’s heart pounding loudly in her chest as they passed by the watchful bodyguards. Whenever a bodyguard glanced their way, Enzo and Rena skillfully shielded Sofia to avoid any suspicion.

Once they reached a waiting van and settled inside, Enzo asked Sofia, “Do you have any particular place in mind where you want to go?”

Her voice trembled slightly as she responded, “No, I don’t have any specific place. I just want to go far away from here… to anywhere.”

“We have a safe hiding place, babe. If you want, we can take you there,” Rena offered.

“I am so thankful to both of you. That would be great. I just need to escape, and I can’t thank you enough for helping me without any conditions,” Sofia said, her voice weighed down by the emotional turmoil she had experienced.

Enzo and Rena exchanged a knowing look, a silent understanding passing between them that Sofia couldn’t fully grasp. Closing her eyes, Sofia made a silent vow that this time, she would break free from the shackles of her miserable life. All she yearned for now was freedom from pain and suffering.