The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

“Yeah, let’s go,” Leonardo said, his voice filled with a sense of readiness.

He wiped his mouth with a cloth napkin, rising from the breakfast table with purpose. Sofia followed suit, stepping out of the room alongside him, her gaze scanning their surroundings.

To her surprise, Mark stood by the door, waiting patiently.

A polite smile formed on his face as their eyes met, and he greeted her, “Good morning, Mrs. Morelli.”

Sofia couldn’t help but feel a tinge of novelty as she adjusted to being addressed by her new title.

Returning the greeting, Sofia replied, “Good morning, Mr. Mark,” her voice tinged with warmth.

However, Mark quickly interjected, insisting she should call him by his first name, “Maam, please call me Mark.”

Sofia nodded, appreciating his friendly gesture.

As the pleasantries continued, Mark turned to address Leonardo respectfully.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Good morning, boss,” he greeted, acknowledging Leonardo’s presence.

“Morning, Mark. We’re going to the shopping mall. Tell the driver to get the car ready,” Leonardo commanded, his tone carrying an air of authority.

Sofia observed the dynamic between Leonardo and Mark, realizing the extent of his influence and power.

“Right away, boss,” Mark responded dutifully, his attention shifting to carry out the instructions.

Sofia couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe, witnessing the seamless coordination and efficiency within Leonardo’s world.

Gently, Leonardo reached for Sofia’s hand, surprising her with the intimate gesture. Her eyes met his, and she found herself getting lost in the depths of his smiling grey eyes. It was a moment of quiet connection that conveyed comfort and assurance.

Together, they made their way towards the parking lot, the anticipation of the shopping trip adding an extra skip to Sofia’s step. Leonardo opened the back door for her, and she graciously slipped inside. Taking his place beside her, Leonardo settled into the seat.

Meanwhile, Mark assumed the passenger seat, quickly instructing the driver to head towards the mall. The car hummed to life as the driver skillfully maneuvered through the city streets. Sofia glanced out of the window, the passing scenery providing a backdrop of familiarity and excitement.

Within minutes, they arrived at the mall, the car smoothly pulling up to the entrance. Mark swiftly opened the door for Leonardo and Sofia, allowing them to step out. Leonardo instinctively reached for Sofia’s hand, intertwining their fingers, as he guided her towards the mall’s entrance. The bustling atmosphere of shoppers and the promise of new clothes filled the air.

Leonardo led Sofia into a luxurious branded store, and her eyes widened in awe as she took in the sight of the exquisite clothes hanging on display. Each garment seemed to exude an air of opulence and exclusivity. The allure of the limited edition pieces left her momentarily speechless.

A sales staff member, clearly captivated by Leonardo’s presence, approached them eagerly.

“Good morning, sir. How may I help you?” the sales lady greeted, her eyes lingering on Leonardo’s striking features.

Sofia couldn’t help but notice the woman’s apparent fascination, biting her lip as she stared at Leonardo. Yet, Leonardo remained impassive, his expression cool and detached.

“I want the best warm clothes available at your store for her,” Leonardo responded, gesturing toward Sofia.

The sales lady’s gaze briefly flickered towards Sofia before returning to Leonardo, her curiosity evident.

“She is beautiful. Is she your sister or niece?” the sales lady inquired, seemingly unable to resist the temptation to pry.

Sofia felt her throat constrict, a mix of surprise and discomfort flooding over her. How could the woman mistake her for anything other than Leonardo’s wife? Did she not look like she could deserve him?

Leonardo’s grip tightened around Sofia’s waist as he pulled her closer, his eyes narrowing at the sales lady. Through gritted teeth, he clarified the woman’s misunderstanding.

“She is my WIFE,” he emphasized, each word dripping with possessiveness.

The sales lady’s face flushed with embarrassment as she stammered out an apology, clearly regretting her assumptions.

Sofia couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the flustered sales lady. She knew firsthand that Leonardo’s commanding presence could be intimidating, even unintentionally. Trying to alleviate the tension, the sales lady redirected her attention towards Sofia, leading her to a section filled with an array of warm clothes.

As the sales lady presented Sofia with various options, she found herself drawn to fur jackets, leather jackets, and fluffy coats. The allure of overcoats, sweaters, and long woolen dresses also caught her eye. Sofia’s excitement grew, but then a realization struck her like a cold gust of wind-she didn’t have any money or a card to pay for the items she desired.

Feeling a mix of apprehension and disappointment, Sofia hesitantly addressed the sales lady.

“Ummm… Excuse me. What will be the price of all these clothes I selected?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Before the sales lady could respond, a deep, authoritative voice resonated from behind Sofia, capturing her attention.

“You need not worry about the price. Just take whatever you want,” the voice said. Sofia turned, her gaze landing on Leonardo, who stood there holding a red woolen dress in his hand.

Leonardo’s eyes briefly scanned the clothes Sofia had selected, and he commented, “Nice choice.”

With that, he added the red woolen dress to the items, leaving Sofia momentarily stunned. She smiled, looking at his retracting back.

Sofia handed over all the chosen items to the sales girl, who assured her that she would return after calculating the bill. Instructing Sofia to wait near the payments section, the sales girl gestured toward the designated area. Sofia followed the guidance, her mind preoccupied with conflicting emotions.

As she made her way toward the payment section, her heart sank at what unfolded before her eyes. There, in a heartbreaking moment, Sofia witnessed another girl in the midst of hugging and kissing Leonardo. It felt as though a sharp pain pierced her chest, and her world seemed to crumble in an instant. The sight tore at her, evoking a rush of emotions she struggled to contain.

Tears welled up in Sofia’s eyes, threatening to spill over as she grappled with conflicting emotions. The anguish she felt surged within her, making it difficult to decide whether to approach them or to retreat and nurse her wounded heart in solitude.

Confusion and despair consumed her as she stood there, torn between confronting them and quietly slipping away. At that moment, doubts plagued her mind.

Was she not enough for him? Did she truly deserve him, or was she simply unworthy of his love? It seemed that maybe Leonardo didn’t want her, and the pain of that realization washed over her like a tidal wave.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Sofia turned on her heel, her footsteps guiding her away from the heart-wrenching scene. With a heavy heart, she approached a staff member, desperately seeking an alternative exit. The staff member kindly directed her to another door, understanding the distress that clouded her expression.

Stepping out of the shop, Sofia found herself consumed by a torrent of tears. She didn’t want anyone to witness her vulnerability, her heartbreak. In a frenzy, she fled from the mall, seeking solace in a secluded corner where she could release the flood of emotions that threatened to engulf her.

Finding refuge in a secluded spot, she sank to the ground, the weight of her emotions crashing over her like a tidal wave. Sofia allowed herself to cry, her tears becoming a testament to her pain and shattered hopes. The world around her blurred as she sobbed, her heartache echoing through her entire being.