The Mafia’s Substitute Bride By Page Slayer
Chapter 44

The Past

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 replace 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 to him.

“Leo! Wait,” Bella called, her voice cutting through the air and causing Leonardo to pause mid-step. He turned to face his cousin, his expression inquiring.

Bella gestured for him to follow her. “Come with me. I want to talk to you,” she said, her tone carrying a sense of urgency. Leonardo nodded silently, his curiosity piqued. He followed Bella as she led him to a secluded corner at the back of the hall, away from prying eyes and curious ears.

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The Past

Leonardo stood in silence, his gaze fixed on Bella as she’ stared back at him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. The tension in the room was palpable, like a smoldering fire waiting to ignite.

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“What’s wrong with you, Leo? Why are you taking sides with that slut?” Bella spat out the words, her voice dripping with venom. The moment they left her lips, Leonardo could feel his blood start to boil, his temper threatening to erupt.

“Mind your language, Bella,” he growled, his voice laced with barely contained rage. “You are talking about my wife.”

Bella’s incredulous gaze locked onto Leonardo as if he had sprouted another head. Her disbelief was written all over her face. “Seriously, Leo? Are you the same Leonardo Morelli? You’re talking about a girl you hated and didn’t want to marry. Did you forget that you were forced into that marriage? You were supposed to marry Kat Ricci but ended up marrying her half-sister.”

Leonardo scoffed, unable to believe Bella’s audacity. He

turned his back to her, his jaw clenched tightly. What was she trying to prove with her words?

“But the reality is that I am married to Sofia, and she is my wife. So what’s your point in discussing this? I don’t want to dwell on whatever happened in the past. I believe in living in the present and thinking about the future,” Leonardo said firmly, hoping Bella would grasp his perspective and drop the topic.

Bella’s frustration mounted as she raised her voice, her words cutting through the air like a sharp blade. “My point is that Kat was still in our class. But that girl is not worthy of being a

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The Pas

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Morelli. And… now I am certain that people were right about

tas

her, that she used to put a spell on men. Because I can see

how you are behaving under her spell,” she spat out, her tone laden with contempt. Leonardo winced at her harshness,

turning to face her directly.

“Shut up, Bella,” he snapped, his voice tinged with anger. “There is nothing like, that. And no, I am not under any spell. In fact, I discovered that the rumors about Sofia were false and fabricated. After spending a few days with her, I could see the genuine innocence within Sofia,” he warned her in a low voice, emphasizing his desire to avoid creating undue stress within their family.

“I just can’t believe that Leonardo Morelli is saying this,” Bella exclaimed, her voice dripping with disbelief. Her brows furrowed in frustration as she threw her hands in the air. “How can you not see her true face? She is a gold digger just like her mother.”

Leonardo sighed, his expression weary. “Bella, please. Sofia is not like that. You’re judging her based on false assumptions.”

“Come on, Leonardo,” Bella persisted, her tone pleading. “You are again making the wrong decision, just like you did with Evelyn and Diana. Don’t let yourself go through that pain again. You still have time, Leonardo. Try to see her real face.”

Leonardo’s patience waned, his voice tinged with irritation. “Enough, Bella! You don’t understand. Sofia is different. She’s not like the others. I know her better than you do.”

Bella’s eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a sneer. Without giving Leonardo a chance to speak further, she turned on her heel and stormed away, the sound of her feet echoing

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The Past

through the room.

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Leonardo rubbed his forehead, feeling a dull ache pulsating. His cousin’s skepticism was giving him a headache. Why couldn’t they see that Sofia was innocent? Maybe one day they would realize their misjudgment and acknowledge their mistake. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his frayed nerves, before making his way back to the living hall where Sofia and his mother were engaged in conversation.

As Leonardo approached them, a surge of warmth filled his heart. Seeing two of his favorite women together, their laughter intertwining in the air, brought a sense of joy to his troubled soul.

Sofia looked up, her eyes lighting up with affection as she spotted Leonardo’s approach.

“Are you ready, Sofia? Can we leave?” Leonardo asked, his gaze fixed on her, studying every subtle movement. Sofia’s eyes shimmered with a mixture of excitement and tenderness as she offered him her radiant smile, nodding her head in agreement. Leonardo couldn’t help but feel a tinge of obsession creeping within him, causing a furrow to form on his brow. What’s wrong with me? He silently pondered, questioning his own thoughts.

“Oh dear, I would love to see you again, and I expect a visit from you very soon. And don’t forget to call me every day,” Leonardo’s mother chimed in, pulling Sofia into a warm

embrace.

“Mum, it seems your loyalties have shifted,” Leonardo playfully taunted, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

His mother playfully slapped his arm. “Oh, hush, Leonardo.

The Past

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Don’t try to be too clever. Remember, I’m your mother, not the other way around,” Anna scolded him, her tone laced with affectionate reproach. Leonardo hissed in mock pain, rubbing his arm, eliciting laughter from both his mother and Sofia, who found his exaggerated reaction amusing.

Leonardo embraced his mother, holding her tightly as if he never wanted to let go.

“I love you, Mum,” he whispered, his voice filled with genuine affection. “I will come to visit you soon, I promise.”

Anna’s eyes brimmed with love and pride as she cupped Leonardo’s face in her hands, her touch gentle and warm. Leaning in, she placed a tender kiss on his forehead. “I love you, my baby,” she murmured, her voice filled with maternal tenderness.

As Leonardo reluctantly pulled away, he held Sofia’s hand, intertwining their fingers, and led her towards the waiting car in the parking lot. They settled inside, the comfortable leather seats enveloping them. The engine roared to life as the driver started the journey towards their destination.

Sofia remained unusually silent, her eyes distant and lost in thought. Leonardo, noticing her melancholic demeanor, decided to break the silence and lighten the mood. He turned towards her, his voice filled with genuine concern. “Sofia, how was your first meeting with my family? I hope they didn’t say anything to make you feel scared or uncomfortable.”

A faint smile appeared on Sofia’s lips as she turned her gaze toward Leonardo, her eyes shining with a mix of gratitude and warmth.

“No, Leonardo,” she reassured him, her voice soft and sincere:

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The Past

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“Your family was very sweet, especially your mother. She reminded me so much of my own mother.” Sofia’s voice trailed off, and once again, she fell into a contemplative silence, staring blankly out the car window. Leonardo sighed.

Leonardo’s touch was gentle yet firm as he held Sofia’s chin, guiding her gaze to meet his eyes. Concern and determination mingled in his expression as he sought to understand her troubles.

“Sofia,” he spoke softly, his voice filled with reassurance, “l need you to share what’s troubling you. Talk to me, my love.”

Sofia’s voice quivered as she hesitated, her lashes casting a faint shadow on her cheeks. “I’ve been thinking about Evelyn,” she finally confessed, her words laced with uncertainty.

Leonardo’s grip on her chin tightened slightly, his gaze unwavering. “Angel, I’ve told you before-Evelyn is my past. She holds no place in my heart anymore,” he asserted, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. “So why does she still trouble you? Is there a lack of trust between us?”

Sofia’s worry etched deeper lines on her lips as she struggled to replace the right words. “Bella… Bella insinuated that you were still in love with Evelyn,” she revealed, her voice barely above. a whisper.

Leonardo’s eyes narrowed, his brows furrowing as he delved. into the painful memories of his past. He understood the weight of this moment, the need to disclose the truth to Sofia.

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