The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

“Leonardo didn’t come with you? I hope he’s treating you well,” the twins chimed in unison, their mischievous grins widening. Their synchronized laughter filled the room, an eerie harmony that sent a shiver down Sofia’s spine.

Trying to maintain composure, Sofia mustered a response, attempting to mask the nervous tremor in her voice. “He… he will be here any moment,” she replied, striving for nonchalance, hoping to conceal the fluttering of her heart.

Bella exchanged a knowing glance with the twins before bursting into laughter once again.

“Oh, God! She has a tongue,” she remarked, her amusement evident. The room seemed to amplify Sofia’s embarrassment, leaving her at a loss for words. She knew all too well that they were teasing her, toying with her vulnerability.

“Enough, you two,” Anna intervened with a warning laced in her voice, her authority cutting through the jovial atmosphere. The room momentarily fell silent, the twins’ laughter subsiding, as they locked eyes with their aunt.

“Aunt Anna, we’re not children anymore,” Bella retorted, her voice tinged with a hint of defiance. She rolled her eyes in exaggerated fashion, a gesture dripping with young rebellion. “We’re just trying to help her relax.”

As the banter settled, everyone took their respective seats around the opulent table. Butlers glided gracefully into the room, clad in immaculate attire, each carrying plates adorned with culinary masterpieces. They moved with silent precision, serving the meticulously crafted dishes one by one, each plate a work of art. The butlers, with a poised elegance, inquired about each item on the table, their knowledge of the cuisine rivaling that of connoisseurs. Sofia watched in awe, feeling as if she had stepped into a world of regality and refinement.

“You know Sofia?” Bella’s voice was barely audible, a mere whisper that cut through the ambient noise of the crowded room. Sofia shifted her gaze, meeting Bella’s piercing eyes as they sat side by side.

“Leonardo and I grew up together,” Bella continued, her tone laced with an air of superiority. “Despite being four years younger, I knew him inside out. And let me be frank, Sofia, you don’t fit his tastes. He craves someone classy, beautiful, and absolutely stunning.” Bella’s scrutinizing gaze traveled up and down Sofia’s figure, as if assessing her worth. Her words landed like venomous darts, stinging with each syllable.

Sofia felt her heart sink as Bella’s cruel assessment echoed in her ears. The weight of the words bore down on her, threatening to crush her spirit. She fought back tears, refusing to let them betray the pain that brewed within. How could Bella be so audacious, so unapologetically insulting?

“Bella, why don’t you enlighten Sofia about Evelyn ?” Aldo interjected, his voice laced with amusement.

Sofia winced at the mention of Leonardo’s ex-girlfriend, her wounds still raw and tender. The twins, seated on Sofia’s other side, observed the unfolding scene with a smug grin.

Sofia’s hands trembled uncontrollably, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil swirling inside her. She released the fork she had been clutching, its metallic clang shattering the tense silence. Confusion washed over her.

Why did people always feel the need to belittle her, especially when meeting her for the first time? It was reminiscent of the treatment she had endured from her half-sister, Kat, and her friends before her marriage, a painful reminder of a past she longed to forget.

Sofia’s senses heightened as she heard a deep, manly voice resonate through the room. It was familiar, unmistakable. She turned her gaze towards the doorway, her heart skipping a beat when she laid eyes on Leonardo, accompanied by a tall, lean man. A wave of relief washed over her, momentarily eclipsing the fear that had gripped her moments ago.

Leonardo’s lips curved into a smile as he locked eyes with Sofia, but it swiftly transformed into a frown as he noticed the remnants of terror etched on her face. Sofia could almost feel his penetrating gaze pierce through Bella and the twins, their presence suddenly made uneasy by his deathly stare. Urgency propelled Leonardo forward, hastening his steps until he stood by Sofia’s side.

Drawing closer, Leonardo leaned down and pressed a tender kiss upon her cheeks. His hands gently cupped her face, his thumb caressing her flushed skin. With a tender strength, he lifted her face slightly, ensuring their eyes met.

In a hushed, soothing voice, he whispered, concern lacing his words, “Are you okay, baby girl? Did anyone say something to you?”

The room fell into a collective hush, punctuated only by scattered gasps emanating from the onlookers seated at the table. All eyes were fixed on Leonardo and Sofia, each person conveying a unique blend of surprise, curiosity, or apprehension. Sofia felt her cheeks grow warm, the telltale sign of embarrassment coloring her complexion, as the weight of their attention bore down upon her.

“I can see, Leonardo, your priorities have shifted,” Anna complained, her tone laced with a hint of disappointment. Her eyes flickered disapprovingly towards Sofia, who sat beside her son. “Your mum is sitting here, and you went to meet your wife first.”

Leonardo let out a low, melodious chuckle, his deep voice resonating in the room. With a suave demeanor, he gracefully walked around the table, navigating the maze of chairs and bodies until he reached the opposite side. There, his mother sat beside his father, exuding an air of quiet authority.

“No, Mum,” Leonardo replied, his voice tinged with affection. “My preference will always be you. But yes, a new name has been added to the list.” He leaned in and planted a tender kiss on his mother’s cheek, their bond palpable in that fleeting moment.

Anna’s face softened, revealing a glimmer of understanding.

“I am happy for you, dear,” she said, her voice filled with maternal warmth. She enveloped him in a tight embrace, her love embracing him as a shield against the dangers that awaited him beyond their familial sanctuary.

After exchanging pleasantries with his father, his uncle, and his aunt, Leonardo turned his attention back to Sofia. His gaze hardened, and he addressed Aldo, who occupied the seat next to her.

“Aldo!” he said, his voice carrying a subtle warning. With a quick understanding, Aldo swiftly vacated the seat, granting Leonardo his rightful place by Sofia’s side.

A lean man, exuding an aura of quiet confidence, approached Sofia with a friendly smile. “Hi, I am Domenico Russo,” he introduced himself, his voice tinged with a subtle Italian accent. “Leonardo’s best friend and, of course, his second-in-command.”

Sofia returned the smile, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and intrigue.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Russo,” she replied graciously, her voice filled with genuine warmth.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Domenico nodded, his gaze briefly lingering on Bella, a fleeting moment of fascination, before he turned his attention to Leonardo’s parents, paying his respects to them.

The butler arrived promptly, swiftly replacing the empty plate with a pristine one, and skillfully served Leonardo his meal. With a determined grip, he lifted the fork and knife, ready to indulge in his food.

“Why aren’t you eating, angel?” Leonardo inquired, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity as he addressed Sofia, his attention fixed on his meal.

Sofia, her delicate features slightly contorted in displeasure, voiced her grievances, her pout accentuating her dissatisfaction. “Why were you late? I called you, but your phone was switched off. You promised me you would be punctual.”

A deep, resonant chuckle escaped Leonardo’s lips, his laughter as rich and textured as his voice.

“I apologize, angel. I found myself entangled in an urgent last-minute meeting,” he explained, his skilled hands adeptly slicing a succulent piece of steak.

He gently nudged it toward Sofia’s parted lips, prompting her to receive the morsel obediently. It was crucial for her to oblige swiftly, lest her lipstick tainted the savory bite.

Caught off guard by his audacious gesture, Sofia blinked in surprise, her innate shyness resurfacing. What was he thinking, behaving so intimately in front of his own family? It was as though they were the only two people in existence. However, her gaze inadvertently fell upon his hand clutching the fork. She gasped, her eyes widening as she noticed his knuckles, bruised and broken, with fresh droplets of crimson still seeping from the wounds.

Sofia’s delicate hand reached out and clasped Leonardo’s, her eyes fixated on his wounded and bloodied knuckles. Concern etched across her face, she couldn’t help but ask, “What happened to your hands?”

A nonchalant smirk tugged at the corner of Leonardo’s lips as he brushed off her worry with a dismissive wave. “Nothing to worry about, baby girl. It’s not as serious as you think,” he replied, his voice laced with a casual tone. He gently pulled his hand away, trying to divert her attention.

Unconvinced, Sofia watched his every move intently. She could sense the hidden truth lingering beneath his nonchalant facade. As Leonardo settled himself at the table, he began to eat, a silent invitation for Sofia to join him. Despite his gesture, she knew deep down that there was something he was concealing, something far more sinister than he let on.