The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Sofia stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as a wave of humiliation washed over her. The blood drained from her face, leaving her pale and vulnerable. Throughout her life, she had endured countless insults, but never before had she felt such intense shame. This was different; it cut deep into her soul.

Leonardo, her husband in name only, had betrayed her in the most unexpected way. The sweetness he had shown her earlier now felt like a cruel deception. How could he be so tender one moment and then callously cheat on her with his ex-girlfriend the next? The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless.

A surge of anger mixed with hurt coursed through Sofia’s veins. She knew, logically, that Leonardo didn’t owe her anything. Their marriage was nothing more than a contract, a facade for the world to see. But still, she had hoped for more. She had dared to believe in the possibility of love, despite the circumstances.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Evelyn, Leonardo’s ex-girlfriend, stood before Sofia, her victorious smile taunting and triumphant. In that moment, she was the winner of a twisted game, a challenge that Sofia never wanted to participate in. Evelyn’s eyes locked onto Sofia’s, relishing in her pain, savoring her victory.

Leonardo, his face a mask of panic and guilt, called out Sofia’s name.

“Sofia!” His voice carried the weight of regret, but Sofia couldn’t bear another insult, another empty promise.

Without a word, she spun on her heel, determined to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the Gala. She left them behind, her steps quickening, driven by a mix of anger and heartache.

As Sofia hurried through the crowd, tears welled up in her eyes, betraying the emotions she fought so hard to conceal. She brushed them away hastily with the back of her palm, unwilling to let them fall. Every step felt like a desperate plea for freedom, a way to distance herself from the pain that clung to her like a suffocating shroud.

Her gaze darted around, searching for an exit, a way out of that wretched place. The grandeur of the Gala, once a symbol of opulence and celebration, now felt like a prison. The noise of laughter and clinking glasses became a cacophony of mocking voices, amplifying her sorrow.

Sofia stormed through the crowded hallway, her steps quick and determined. The vibrant fabric of her gown billowed around her, hindering her movements with each step. Despite the obstacle, she refused to be hindered, propelled forward by a mix of frustration and determination.

Leonardo’s urgent voice echoed behind her, desperate to reach her ears. “Sofia, wait. Listen to me, baby girl,” he pleaded, his words strained with an undercurrent of emotion.

But Sofia remained relentless, increasing her speed as if trying to outrun the turmoil brewing within her. Yet, his agility matched her determination. In a swift motion, Leonardo closed the gap between them, catching hold of her hand. He spun her around, forcing her to face him.

The force of his action jolted Sofia, and she jerked her hand away from his grip. Her eyes blazed with anger as she met his gaze, unwilling to back down. “No,” she seethed, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and hurt. “Go to your ex-girlfriend and have fun. No need to follow me.”

She watched as his eyes revealed a pained emotion, a flicker of regret mingling with the intensity of his gaze. Sofia couldn’t fathom why she was so affected, but an unfamiliar fury surged within her, consuming any rational thought.

“Sofia, you misunderstood. Let me explain to you,” he implored, his voice falling flat, weighted with disappointment.

“I don’t need your explanation, Leonardo,” Sofia spat out his name with bitter disdain. Her words cut through the air, heavy with accusation. “I’ve seen everything with my own eyes, and I am not dumb enough not to know that you don’t want me. Hell, you don’t even like me.”

The sheer intensity of her anger fueled her actions, causing her to throw her hand in the air, a gesture of frustration and defiance. She no longer cared about the curious eyes that lingered nearby, drawn to the scene unfolding before them. Sofia’s anger demanded an outlet, and she would not be silenced.

Leonardo extended his hand once more, reaching out to bridge the widening chasm between them. However, Sofia held up her hand, halting him in his tracks. The tension between them crackled in the air, their conflicting emotions sparking like a live wire.

His fist clenched, the muscles in his jaw visibly tightening as he struggled to maintain his composure. “Sofia, you are getting everything wrong,” he gritted out, his voice strained with a mix of frustration and urgency. The corners of his eyes betrayed his escalating temper, a sign that he, too, was on the edge.

“Stop lying, Leonardo,” Sofia accused, her voice laced with bitterness. Her eyes bore into him, searching for any sign of deceit. “That day, in the mall, I saw you kissing a girl, and now you were hugging your ex-girlfriend in a room. Oh, sorry I disturbed your precious time with your EX-girlfriend.” Her emphasis on the word “EX” was deliberate, intended to deliver a blow to his heart. She spat out the words, her teeth grinding with anger, and then turned on her heel to leave.

Leonardo was frustrated and shocked. Sofia was not ready to listen to him. Everything was spiraling out of control, and Sofia had taken it all the wrong way. It wasn’t what she assumed; something entirely different had transpired.

******************

A few minutes ago…

As he ordered their drinks and patiently waited for them to be prepared, Evelyn approached him, her presence casting a shadow over his already troubled mind.

“Leonardo!” Evelyn exclaimed, her voice dripping with familiarity and possessiveness. She brazenly wrapped her hand around Leonardo’s forearm, refusing to let go. Annoyance flickered across his face, and he slowly peeled her hand off his arm, unable to hide his exasperation. He could sense her scowl burning into him, but he made a conscious effort to ignore her, refusing to acknowledge her audacity.

“Leonardo, I want to talk to you. Please come with me,” Evelyn pleaded, leaning on his shoulder in an attempt to assert her influence. Leonardo shifted away from her, his movements deliberate and purposeful. He had reached his limit with her shameless flirting and her disregard for his marital status.

“Why don’t you understand that there is nothing left to discuss between us?” Leonardo’s voice held a tinge of frustration. His eyes met Evelyn’s, unwavering and determined. “So it would be better if you stopped playing your games and moved on.”

Evelyn’s desperation was palpable as she continued to plead, her voice teetering on the edge of desperation. “Please, Leonardo, just talk to me once.”

Taking a deep breath, Leonardo relented, knowing that he had to bring an end to this once and for all. “Okay,” he said, his tone tinged with resignation. He turned to face Evelyn, his expression resolute.

“Not here,” Evelyn whispered urgently, glancing over her shoulder. Her eyes, large and pleading, held a mixture of desperation and caution. The bustling crowd that surrounded them seemed oblivious to the turmoil brewing within her. “I have so many things to tell you,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “There are so many people around us. If someone hears, it will be news.” Her lips pouted, forming a delicate curve that once would have stirred Leonardo’s heart.

There was a time when Leonardo would have been defenseless against those puppy eyes, when her every word would have melted his resolve. But now he stood before her, a changed man, no longer the foolish Leonardo who had been captivated by the beauty and fame of Evelyn Anderson.

He remained silent, his expression guarded, as she reached out and gently took his hand, holding it as if her lifeline depended on it. The touch was familiar, evoking memories of a time when their love had burned brightly. Evelyn’s voice quivered with a mix of anxiety and desperation as she pleaded, “Please give me one chance to explain myself. It will lessen the burden on my chest.”

Leonardo sighed, his weariness evident. He nodded begrudgingly, his gaze piercing through her facade. “Fine,” he relented, his tone tinged with a hint of resignation. “But I don’t have much time. I can give you only five minutes to explain yourself. But don’t expect that I will forgive you,” he added with a blunt honesty. He had no intention of misleading her with false hope.

“I know that my sin is not forgivable,” Evelyn murmured, her voice filled with remorse. She bowed her head, her slender frame expressing a genuine sense of regret.

With a solemn nod, Leonardo followed Evelyn as she led him toward a nearby room. They stepped inside, the door closing behind them, creating a temporary haven away from prying eyes. He waited in silence, the weight of his emotions heavy upon him, while she collected her thoughts.

But before she could utter a single word, the air changed between them. In a sudden and unexpected gesture, Evelyn’s hand flew around Leonardo’s neck, her grip tightening as she attempted to pull him closer. Her eyes, once pleading, now blazed with a mixture of longing and desperation. She would never change and would go dirty to have Leonardo.