The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

“What were you doing, Kat? Why would you deliberately upset your father?” Emma’s voice dripped with annoyance as she forcibly pulled her daughter away from the proximity of Sofia and Carlo.

Frustration seethed within Emma, for she realized that Kat’s impulsive actions could potentially jeopardize her carefully laid plans. The girl’s foolishness threatened to undo everything she had worked so hard to achieve.

Ever since the harrowing incident involving Sofia’s kidnapping, Carlo had begun to harbor doubts about Emma. She could sense the flicker of suspicion in his eyes, an unsettling shift in his trust. Emma was keenly aware that her husband no longer held her in the same regard as he once did.

“Mom, how could you expect me to put on a facade of congratulations and smiles when I despise her with such intensity?” Kat retorted angrily, her voice laced with a venomous disdain.

Emma’s patience wore thin, her frustration boiling over. “You need to exercise restraint, you foolish girl. Consider the timing and the circumstances. It is Sofia’s moment, and we must act accordingly. Otherwise, your father will cast us aside without hesitation. Can’t you see that he has begun to show compassion for his long-neglected daughter?” Emma scolded, her tone filled with a desperate urgency.

Emma clenched her fists tightly, the hatred for Sofia burning fiercely within her heart. In her mind, Sofia had become a mirror image of her mother-a woman who had come between Carlo and Emma, causing immeasurable pain and suffering. Emma harbored a chilling resolve to repeat history, ensuring that Sofia would meet the same fate-suffering, anguish, and ultimately, death.

Emma couldn’t bear to leave Sofia be, as the girl gradually secured her place in Carlo’s affections and gained a stake in the Ricci Empire. It was an intolerable reality that Emma refused to accept. She knew she had to act swiftly and employ a cunning plan to ensure her own dominance and maintain control over the empire she had worked so ruthlessly to secure.

“Mom, if you hadn’t convinced me to reject Leonardo’s proposal, I would be standing beside him right now. I deeply regret my decision. Just look at him, Mom. Any woman would give anything to be by his side, and I was such a fool to let him slip away,” Kat rambled incessantly, her eyes fixated on the charismatic mafia king, Leonardo Morelli.

Kat had been content with her refusal at the time, knowing that Leonardo wouldn’t take their relationship seriously. But witnessing his changed demeanor around Sofia had sparked a longing within her, a desire to reclaim what she had let go.

A foolish thought, indeed. Emma sighed.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Emma followed Kat’s gaze, her eyes landing on Leonardo. To her surprise, he was engaged in a conversation with Evelyn Anderson, his former girlfriend. A spark of intrigue ignited within Emma’s mind. Perhaps Evelyn could prove to be a useful ally in her own plans.

“Kat, hold on! I understand your desire to win Leonardo back, but darling, your father would be livid if he discovered you flirting with your sister’s… well, half-sister’s husband. We must exercise caution, even though I may not be particularly fond of Sofia. But we need a strategic plan to make her life a living hell once again,” Emma whispered, a sly smirk forming on her lips. Kat nodded in comprehension, fully aware of the stakes involved.

“By the way, do you know Evelyn Anderson, Leonardo’s ex-girlfriend?” Emma inquired, her curiosity piqued. Kat shook her head, signaling her lack of knowledge regarding Evelyn’s existence.

“Then go and befriend her. She could prove to be invaluable in achieving our goal,” Emma retorted, her gaze fixed on Evelyn Anderson. As far as Emma knew, the Anderson family was known for their cunning and deceitful nature, and she presumed Evelyn to possess those traits as well.

Evelyn had once shattered Leonardo’s heart, and Emma found it amusingly surprising that she still harbored a desire for him. From Emma’s vantage point, Evelyn’s eyes burned with determination, a hunger to reclaim Leonardo. Emma couldn’t help but roll her eyes inwardly, pondering what was wrong with these girls. Both Evelyn and her own daughter, Kat, had rejected the same man in the past, only to now yearn for his affection. These foolish girls couldn’t seem to make up their minds about what they truly wanted in life, Emma mused with a cringe of contempt.

Unlike them, Emma had always known that Carlo belonged solely to her, as she had wrested him from the clutches of Sofia’s mother. And now, she would reclaim him once more, solely for the sake of her daughter. Sofia had no place in Carlo’s life, and Emma was determined to ensure he forgot about her existence.

Kat, initially confused, soon deciphered her mother’s intentions. She slowly maneuvered her way towards Evelyn as Leonardo left her side, opting to join Sofia instead. Emma observed with a cunning smirk as Evelyn and Kat extended their hands, sealing a newfound alliance.

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

As the night grew late, Sofia and Leonardo finally arrived home, their steps heavy with the weight of the evening’s events. Sofia’s mood remained cloaked in a somber shadow, her thoughts clouded by Kat and Evelyn’s audacious flirtation with her husband. Yet, amidst the gloom, a flicker of relief danced within her. Leonardo had refused to engage with Kat, a stance that Sofia held steadfastly. Forgiveness for such a betrayal would be an insurmountable hurdle. Leonardo was her world, the one she loved beyond measure, and she knew she could never survive his unfaithfulness.

Once inside their private sanctuary, Leonardo guided Sofia towards their bedroom. With a deliberate motion, he locked the door behind them, enclosing them in an intimate cocoon of seclusion. A simmering tension lingered in the air, palpable and enticing. Leonardo turned his gaze towards Sofia, his voice laden with a dark intensity. “So, baby girl, you’ve been a very naughty girl tonight, haven’t you? Are you prepared for your punishment?” His words, delivered in a heavy and low timbre, resonated through the room, sending shivers down Sofia’s spine, eliciting goosebumps that prickled across her skin.

Was he serious? Every time he punished her, a wave of irresistible desire crashed over her, pulling her further into the depths of their passionate connection. She had become addicted to his fervent lovemaking, yearning for the intoxicating blend of pleasure and pain. Her curiosity piqued, Sofia tugged her bottom lip between her teeth, a submissive nod accompanying her unspoken consent.

“I want to hear it, in words, baby girl,” Leonardo demanded, his tone commanding and unwavering.

A sharp intake of breath escaped Sofia’s parted lips as she responded, her voice laced with anticipation, “Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“Good,” Leonardo murmured, his voice a husky murmur as he outlined his desires. “I want you completely naked on my bed, facing the wall, waiting for me until I return.” His words painted a vivid picture in Sofia’s mind, igniting a fire within her. With a grace borne of obedience, she rose from the bed and heard the soft click of the bathroom door opening and closing behind Leonardo. Swiftly, she shed her dress, laying it aside with care. Positioned before the wall, she settled onto the bed, her back facing the room, her anticipation building with each passing second.

In a subtle dance of dominance, Leonardo reentered the room, his presence commanding attention. Gently, he spun Sofia around, guiding her forward until her chest pressed firmly against the cool expanse of the bed.

Leonardo began planting wet kisses on Sofia’s shoulder. She sucked in a surprised breath and exhaled sharply. He traced her spine with his knuckles, gently drifting over it, sending shivers down her body. His lips trailed down, causing goosebumps to erupt along the way, heading towards her intimate area. He caressed her buttocks and parted her thighs. She gasped aloud as he unexpectedly flipped her onto her back. She watched in awe as his eyes never left hers, and his tongue licked her moistness. She bit her lip to stifle a sharp cry as his skillful tongue created sensations that were almost unbearable. However, she desired even more. He groaned, his voice resonating through her core. He sucked her clitoris and thrust his finger inside her opening.

“Ah… Leonardo!!!” she couldn’t help but moan his name.

“Yes, baby?” He looked up, still holding her thighs apart.

Confusion filled her eyes as she looked at him. Was this her punishment?

He understood and explained, “Babe, your punishment is about to begin. But before that, I need to prepare your body to handle what I’m going to give you.”

His warning sent shivers down her spine.