The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Carlo enveloped Sofia in a tight embrace, cradling her head against his chest, offering her solace and reassurance. “Don’t worry, Sofia. He will be fine. Nothing will happen to him. It’s your father’s promise,” he whispered soothingly. “Come, my child. We have to rush to the hospital.” With gentle guidance, Carlo led Sofia toward his car, her movements devoid of conscious awareness as she followed him like a lifeless vessel.

Sofia’s heart pleaded silently to every deity in the universe, beseeching them to save her beloved Leonardo. She was willing to offer her own life in exchange for his survival. “Please, God, just save Leonardo!” she fervently prayed within the depths of her heart.

Upon reaching the hospital, Carlo swiftly ushered Sofia inside, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He inquired about Leonardo’s condition, learning that he had arrived earlier in a separate vehicle and had been taken to the operating room.

Outside the operating room, Sofia spotted Domenico and Leonardo’s parents, their faces etched with anguish and tears mirroring her own. Leonardo’s mother, overcome with grief, wept inconsolably, her sorrow a reflection of Sofia’s own pain.

Instinctively, Sofia ran toward Leonardo’s mother, seeking solace in her presence. Their eyes met, and in a wordless exchange, Anna, Leonardo’s mother, opened her arms to Sofia. Without hesitation, Sofia threw herself into the embrace, finding comfort in the shared sorrow.

Anna’s touch was gentle as she caressed Sofia’s head and back, offering comfort amidst her own choked sobs. “Sofia, don’t cry, my child. He will be fine,” Anna whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of anguish and determination. “I know my son, and he is very strong and brave. He is a fighter. Nothing can happen to him.”

Sofia pulled back slightly, her tear-filled eyes meeting Anna’s, their gazes intertwined. “Mom, he has to be fine,” Sofia managed to say through her sobs. “He has to wake up soon, or else I won’t forgive him for making me cry.”

Sofia’s words tugged at Anna’s heart, and Leonardo’s father, joining them, added his voice to the conversation. “Sofia, don’t worry,” he interjected, his voice filled with a mixture of determination and resolve. “As soon as I received the news, I informed the hospital. The city’s most renowned surgeons are attending to Leonardo. If necessary, I will reach out to doctors from all over the world. So both of you, stop crying. We will do everything we can.”

Anna gently wiped away the tears streaming down Sofia’s cheeks, but they continued to flow uncontrollably, as if her sorrow had taken on a life of its own. The two of them stood there, anxiously waiting for any sign of hope from the operating room, their hearts heavy with worry.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Meanwhile, Carlo had informed Emma about Leonardo being shot. A wicked smile spread across Emma’s face, knowing that one of her greatest obstacles on the path to acquiring the Empire was about to meet his end. She kept the knowledge of their successful tracking of Mak from Carlo, fearful of exposing herself. Emma was well aware that even if she had warned Mak, he would have eventually found Leonardo, and then her own life would have been at risk. She was simply terrified that Mak might implicate her in some way. Therefore, when she received the news of Mak’s death, relief washed over her. That foolish man deserved his demise if he couldn’t even eliminate a mere girl.

Emma eventually arrived at the hospital, joining Leonardo’s mother, Anna, and Sofia. She put on a show of grief, feigning sympathy and offering consolation to the grieving family. Both Leonardo’s mother and Sofia were in tears, and Emma had to put on a facade of comforting someone she despised the most. Carlo’s behavior seemed different, as he sought to console Sofia with a concerned gaze. Emma disapproved of his actions and knew she had to resume her manipulations to brainwash him once again.

The wait stretched on for nearly three agonizing hours until the surgeon finally emerged from the operating room. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone turned their attention to the doctor, awaiting news of Leonardo’s condition.

“We have successfully removed the bullet and stopped the bleeding,” the surgeon began, offering a glimmer of hope. “However, he remains unconscious due to significant blood loss. We will continue to monitor him closely until he regains consciousness. Hopefully, he will recover soon.”

Anna, Leonardo’s mother, couldn’t contain her anxiety as she asked, “Doctor, is he out of danger now?”

The doctor’s response brought a wave of relief to the room. “Yes, indeed. With the bleeding under control, he is considered safe. He is completely out of danger,” he assured them.

Sofia’s trembling body seemed to relax, and for the first time since the ordeal began, she felt a sense of ease. Her heartbeat, once erratic, began to steady itself, as if finally finding its rhythm, she felt she could breathe now.

A collective sigh of relief filled the room, with each person finding solace in the doctor’s words. However, Emma’s plans took an abrupt turn upon hearing that Leonardo was now out of danger. Her jubilant heart turned somber, realizing that her own fate would be sealed if Leonardo discovered her involvement in Sofia’s kidnapping.

Emma knew she had to act swiftly, her mind racing to devise a plan before Leonardo regained consciousness.

After six long hours, Leonardo slowly regained consciousness. However, the sedatives administered by the doctors kept him in a deep sleep, suppressing the pain he must have been experiencing. Anna, Leonardo’s mother, approached Sofia, expressing her desire to take her home. With bodyguards stationed outside the room around the clock and nurses attending to him inside, Anna believed that Sofia could rest and return to the hospital later. Yet Sofia’s heart vehemently opposed the idea of leaving her husband alone in the sterile hospital environment. She insisted on staying by his side throughout his recovery.

Sofia’s father, Carlo, approached her, his voice filled with reassurance. “Sofia, don’t worry about anything. He’s fine and recovering quickly. Remember, you’re not alone, dear. Call me if you need anything.”

Surprised by her father’s sudden display of concern, Sofia found herself torn between accepting his words and remaining skeptical. She couldn’t help but wonder if his newfound warmth would fade away over time, reverting to his previous cold and heartless demeanor.

One by one, the family members left the room, leaving Sofia alone with Leonardo. She settled herself by his bedside, her gaze fixated on his peaceful face. Her gentle hand caressed his head, gently brushing aside a few strands of hair that clung to his forehead. Leaning over, she pressed a tender kiss against his temple and whispered, “Recover soon, honey. I long to hear your voice again.” She kissed each of his closed eyes, pouring her love into every touch.

“I love you,” she whispered, knowing that he couldn’t hear her at that moment. Yet, the words held a profound significance for her, a reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared.

Sofia clasped Leonardo’s hand in both of her own, finding solace in the connection. She settled back in her chair, fatigue washing over her as the weight of the day took its toll. Her eyelids grew heavy, and the tranquil knowledge that Leonardo was on the path to recovery helped her relax. It was already two in the morning when sleep overcame her, and she succumbed to the embrace of a well-deserved rest.

When Sofia eventually woke up, the sun had already risen, casting its warm glow upon the room. She observed the nurses quietly attending to Leonardo, administering medication and providing instructions in hushed tones. Sofia’s grip tightened around his hand as a rush of happiness surged through her. Seeing him sitting up in bed, awake and aware, filled her with an overwhelming sense of relief and joy.

“Leonardo!” Sofia exclaimed, springing to her feet and launching herself into his arms, holding him tightly.

“Ouch!” he hissed, feeling the pain but reciprocating the embrace by wrapping his arms around her.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry…” Sofia pulled back, her voice filled with concern. “Are you okay?” A tear trickled down her cheek against her will.

Leonardo gently tugged her hand and guided her to sit beside him. “I’m alright, baby girl. Why are you crying?” He reached out to wipe away Sofia’s tears.

“You know, I thought I was going to lose you when you were unconscious and not responding,” Sofia sobbed, another tear rolling down her face.

Leaning forward, Leonardo kissed her lips tenderly. “See? I’m perfectly alright,” he reassured her with a smile, cradling her face in his hand.

From the corner of her eye, Sofia noticed the nurses in the room, smiling and blushing at the display of affection.

Her man never hesitated to show PDA, even in a hospital room.

“Why did you do that? If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to bear it,” Sofia complained, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.

“And if anything had happened to you, how could I possibly go on, angel?” Leonardo’s eyes held even more emotion as he spoke.

Sofia tried to move back to her chair, but Leonardo held her waist gently, pleading, “Stay here with me.”

She settled back down beside him, gazing at his smiling, handsome face. Seeing him alive and well felt like heaven to her. Nothing else mattered more at that moment.