The Mafia's Substitute Bride

Sofia's heart pounded in her chest as the rain pelted against the windows, matching the rhythm of her mother's sobs.

She could hear her mother's footsteps pacing back and forth in the living room, waiting for her husband to come home. Then, suddenly, the sound of a car pulling up to the house cut through the storm.

"Mama, he's here!" Sofia whispered, barely audible over the sound of the rain.

She watched as her mother rushed to the door, wiping away her tears and plastering on a fake smile.

"Welcome home, dear," her mother said, her voice shaking.

Sofia's father strode into the house, a beautiful woman in his arms. Sofia recoiled at the sight of her father's mistress, but her mother put on a brave face.

"Who is this?" her mother asked, trying to keep her tone light. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine," her father sneered, pushing her away. "Can't a man have a little fun?"

Sofia's mother's face fell. "Please don't hurt me," she begged. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Her father's face twisted with rage. "You're always so worried about me," he spat. "It's pathetic. I hate that you even think about me. You don't deserve me. Get out of my way."

"Please, honey, don't do this to me," her mother begged, grabbing her husband's arm.

"Don't touch me," her father yelled.

Sofia's mother flinched at her father's words, tears streaming down her face again. Sofia watched as her father raised his hand to strike her mother. She wanted to scream, to tell him to stop, but she was frozen with fear.

Her father didn't stop. Instead, he kicked his wife's stomach so hard she fell to the ground crying and clutching her stomach.

Sofia retreated to the staircase, her heart breaking with every sob. She clutched her stuffed animal tightly, hoping and praying that her father would leave soon and they would be safe again. After a while, her father stopped throwing punches and kicks after spitting on her mother.

Sofia peeked through the railing of the staircase, her eyes wide with fear as she watched her mother sobbing on the floor. Her father, towering over her, yelled insults and accusations at her.

"How dare you question me?" he bellowed. "You know I can do whatever I want. You're lucky I even bother to come back here."

Sofia's mother could not speak but whimpered in pain.

Her father kicked her mother while she was still on the ground, causing her to scream out in pain. Sofia covered her mouth to stifle her sobs.

"You're nothing but a worthless piece of trash," her father spat at her mother. "And this brat," he gestured towards Sofia, "is just a reminder of how much I hate you."

Sofia's mother tried to shield her from her husband's wrath, but he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up to her feet. Sofia watched in horror as he continued to beat her mother mercilessly, her cries echoing through the empty house.

"No, please stop," Sofia whispered to herself, tears streaming down her face.

But her father didn't stop until he had vented all of his rage and anger. As he finally left for his room with his beautiful mistress, Sofia's mother lay on the ground, bruised and broken. Sofia rushed to her mother's side, holding her tightly when the room was locked upstairs.

"Mama, are you okay?" Sofia asked with pain.

"I'm okay, baby," her mother said weakly. "Don't worry about me. Just go to bed now."

"Mama, you also come with me to my room. Dad has locked your room, so where will you sleep?" Sofia asked with teary eyes.

Her mother nodded, still trembling with fear and sadness. Mother and daughter made their way to Sofia's bedroom when they heard the woman moaning Sofia's father's name. Her mother cried, covering her mouth. Sofia was eleven years old, but she understood everything that was happening in this house. They slowly went to Sofia's room. Sofia made her mother lie on the bed.

Her mother moaned as her whole body was aching with unbearable pain after getting a merciless beating.

"Mama, I'm here," Sofia said as she sat beside her mother, holding her hand. "I'll never leave you. I promise."

Her mother looked at her with tears in her eyes, her face still swollen from the beating.

"I know you won't, baby," she said weakly, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "You're the only good thing in my life," she whispered, the weight of her words heavy with a mixture of despair and affection.

"Why do you suffer Dad's beatings and endure him bringing that woman home?!" Sofia's innocent question pierced the tense air, her confusion and concern evident in her furrowed brow.

"He's a rich man, Sofia, and rich men have insatiable needs," her mother responded, her voice strained with both resignation and hidden anguish. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, mirroring the turmoil within her. "He feels entitled to vent his anger on me and seeks solace in other women."

"But you didn't have to endure it, Mom. Why don't you leave him?" Sofia's voice trembled with a mix of frustration and worry for her mother's plight.

"I can't, darling. I have no one to turn to," her mother confessed, her voice cracking with the weight of her truth. "I came from a poor family, and I feel trapped. I'm bound by circumstances to endure this life, and... and I still love him," she admitted, her lips trembling with a sense of helplessness.

Sofia's heart filled with unknown fear.

Her father's cruelty had scarred her deeply and it would take a long time for her to heal.

"Don't worry, Mama," Sofia said softly. "I'll take care of you always. And I'll never marry a rich man. Rich people are heartless and demons."

Her mother smiled weakly, her hand stroking Sofia's hair. "You're such a good girl, Sofia.But you have to marry one day just like Every girl has to marry. A prince will come to marry you on a white horse. He will make you happy and love you forever."

"No, Mom, I will never marry, and I will never leave you. Men don't love. they only beat and treat women as slaves," Sofia cried as she hugged her mother tightly.

"Sofia, my child! I love you and will always be with you," her mother whispered in her dull voice.

At that time, Sofia didn't understand what her mother was trying to say. But after a few months, her mother died. Though she had died from inside long ago, her husband's cruelty and betrayal made her choose death over life. She had lost the will to live, so no one could save her. People thought she died from some illness. But Sofia knew it was a murder. Though she had no proof to blame anyone.

Sofia was left alone in this cruel world, and her problems increased when her father remarried just a week after her mother's death. Her father's beautiful mistress was now her stepmother. She hated Sofia even more.

She brought her daughter with her. Her father loved his new wife's daughter more. Sofia's position in her own house was now not better than a housemaid. But she was grateful her father let her continue her school.

Sofia used to cry at night, holding her mother's photo on her chest.

"Mom, why did you leave me? How can I live without you? Why didn't you take me with you?" She shouted, standing near the window and looking at the dark sky, but got no reply in return.

She was left alone in this cruel world where no one loved her. But she vowed to never get married.

*Seven Years Later*

"Sophia, come to my room quickly." Sofia heard her stepmother, Emma, calling her. She felt a pang of hunger in her stomach, but she knew she had to obey her stepmother's command. Sofia covered her plate and placed it on the slab before leaving. She couldn't risk facing the consequences of disobeying her stepmother.

After her mother's death, her life became a living hell. Her stepmother didn't provide her with enough food to eat or proper clothes to wear. Sofia wasn't allowed to enjoy any luxuries in her father's mansion; she was treated as nothing more than a housemaid. Emma, her stepmother, justified her actions by claiming she was disciplining Sofia, fearing that without her mother, Sofia might turn out to be whore due to her mother's poor family background.

Sofia was confined to the house and forbidden from attending any social gatherings or her friends' birthday parties. She wasn't even allowed to have any friends. Today after gathering all the leftover food from dinner, Sofia was relieved to find enough to satisfy her hunger. Otherwise, she had to sleep empty stomach most of the time. However, when her stepmother called her, she had to rush, or she would face severe beatings with burning iron rods. Even now, Sofia carried the scars and pain from those punishments. Emma was sly; she ensured no visible marks were left on Sofia's body, inflicting burns on her feet instead. Sofia had no choice but to endure the pain and continue her work, walking with those burnt feet.

Sofia's heart raced as she hurried towards Emma's room. She knocked on the door gently and opened it slowly, trying not to make any noise. She peeked inside and saw that her half-sister Kat, stepmother Emma, and father were all sitting together, deep in discussion. It seemed something serious was going on from the cold and indifferent expressions on their faces.

"Sofia, please come inside," her father said in his cold voice.

Sofia came inside slowly, bending her head down because she was not allowed to look into their eyes.

Her father came in front of her and said, "What took you so long? You know the rules of this house. You need to respect us and our authority."

Sofia trembled, nodding silently, feeling ashamed and small. Nevertheless, she knew she had to obey her father's strict rules.

"You will be getting married to Leonardo Morelli in ten days. I have fixed your marriage. You should feel fortunate to become a part of such a wealthy family," her father said abruptly.

Sofia's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She felt as if her world had been turned upside down in an instant. She had never even met Leonardo Morelli before, let alone thought about marrying him. Sofia's mind raced as she tried to process the news. She wondered if there was any way to avoid this arranged marriage and if she had any say in the matter at all.

Sofia seized the opportunity to inquire, "Wasn't Kat supposed to be his bride?"

Kat shook her head as she examined her fingernails. "I'm sorry, but I can't marry him. He's a playboy, and the marriage will last only three years. No way. I won't do this," she said firmly.

Emma sighed. "But we need this alliance to merge our businesses. That's why we have to have a marriage between our families." Sofia's eyes widened in shock as Emma continued. "...and that's why we've invested so much into you. So, one day, you could be a valuable asset in a business deal."

Sofia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her family was discussing a trade involving her. Her father was willing to use her as a bargaining chip for a business deal. It was disheartening for Sofia to realize that her entire life was just a tool for their business ventures. She felt like she was an inanimate object in their household, and it was a heartbreaking realization for her.

Sofia took a deep breath and summoned all the courage she could muster. With a trembling voice, she spoke up before her father, something she had never done before.

"Dad, please don't force me into marrying someone from a wealthy family. I never asked for this. I promise I won't be a burden to you anymore. Just give me a chance to live my own life." Despite Sofia's heartfelt plea, her father's face remained cold and unyielding.

"I have made a decision for your life. There is no option for you but to marry Leonardo Morelli. Though I have done so much for you, I have hated you for so many years because you are that whore's daughter who spoiled my life. I was forced to live with her against my will. So, think of this as repayment for your mother's sin. You don't have to live with him for the rest of your life, but only for three years. After three years, the contract will end, and you will be free," her father said indifferently, looking at her with disdain.

She was feeling helpless and alone, thinking that no one cared about her. Even her own father didn't seem to prioritize her well-being. She was starting to lose trust in people. It seemed as though she was born under a bad star, destined to face these unfortunate circumstances.

Sofia's half-sister, Kat, was older than her by two years. Apparently, Kat was born before Sofia, while their father was still married to Sofia's mother. Sofia later learned that her father was in love with Emma, Kat's mother, but felt pressured by his parents to marry Sofia's mother. After Sofia's mother passed away, her father didn't waste any time in marrying Emma and bringing her and Kat to live with him.

With a dismissive wave of her hand, Emma signaled that the meeting was over.

"You're free to go now," she said before adding, "We'll begin preparing for the wedding tomorrow. You should feel lucky to be marrying into such a wealthy and influential family." She couldn't hide the smug smirk on her face as she spoke.

Little did Emma know that Sofia had no interest in marrying a wealthy man, not now, not ever. Having witnessed her mother's suffering and eventual demise in misery, Sofia had made up her mind that all rich men were evil and heartless. Sofia walked back into the kitchen and noticed her plate was only half empty. But her hunger had died along with her thoughts.

Sofia glanced at the wall clock and saw that it read midnight.

She had just turned eighteen and no one else was around to wish her a happy birthday, not even her father remembered. Sofia retreated to her room and grabbed her mother's photo frame, holding it close to her chest as tears streamed down her face. The night seemed endless as she cried about the unfairness of her life.

"No. Fucking. Way! I won't do this. I won't marry that girl!" Leonardo shouted angrily as he stood before his father, Alessandro, who was looking out of the window and listening to his son shouting.

The study was lavishly decorated with antique furniture and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and tension filled the air.

"Leonardo. Try to understand. This wedding is very important for this merger," his father declared nonchalantly.

"No, Dad, it is not fucking possible. I won't marry a slut like her," Leonardo refused sternly. "By the way," he narrowed his gray eyes skeptically. "I was supposed to marry Ricci's other daughter, and why they changed the bride at the last time," he scowled.

"We don't know why they changed the bride. But they said that this marriage would only last for three years and not a real one, so it doesn't matter who the bride is," his father explained patiently, but Leonardo was not in a good mood to understand those things.

"Are you serious, Dad? You want me to marry a whore for a business deal ?! You can't force me to do anything. It's my life, for fucks sake," he huffed, throwing his hand in the air frustratedly.

"Leonardo, you have to marry her, and I am not asking you or giving you a choice, but... ordering you that this is inevitable," his father roared as his patience timed out. "You are supposed to be married to the Ricci girl only for three years, and after three years, whether you leave or divorce her, I won't stop you. I don't even care what you do after three years, but we need this merger for now to strengthen our company."

His father was a very good businessman but was never a good parent. He never cared about his child's feelings but wanted only power and status.

He was an emotionless man and had brought up Leonardo to be one like him, ruthless and heartless. So now Leonardo was a cruel devil just like his father and had no emotion in his heart.

His father had brought him up as an asset in business, which would make him more powerful, but it made Leonardo hate his father even more.

"I can't believe that you have become so blind that you can't even see the consequences. What about your reputation?! What will people say if you make a whore like her your daughter-in-law?! Are you not afraid that your respect in society will decrease?" Leonardo snorted.

"Mind your tongue, Leonardo!" His father barked. "And I don't care about what people say because only money and power speak and I can shut their mouth with my influence. You have no idea how much money and power we will get from this deal. This new status will take us to the height of success that no one has ever reached," he smirked cunningly before adding, "So it won't hurt to make a girl like her Morelli's daughter-in-law for three years. But remember that you must be in this marriage for the whole three years and don't make me repeat myself," his father threatened with a dangerous expression.

"Then please excuse me because I have no plans to get married in the future, and I cannot spoil my reputation just because of your fucking business deal," Leonardo said in a boring tone and began to leave the room. He had enough for the day.

"Leonardo, you can't define me like this," Leonardo's father warned him, but he didn't stop."If you leave this room, I will disown you, and I will evict you from my property. You will lose your right over the Morelli Empire," he threw this trump card. "So the choice is yours. Live your life as you want and lose everything or marry that girl for only three years and rule the world like a king," he offered loudly, enough to make Leonardo halt at the door.

Leonardo closed his eyes, feeling the anger rush through his veins. He clenched his fists and took deep breaths to control himself as the killer Instinct within him kicked in, wanting him to kill someone right at that moment. He turned to face his father. His eyes were dark and emotionless as he stared back at his father.

"Fine, Dad! You won. I will marry the girl," he accepted firmly, raising his head. "Now, happy?!"

His father grinned triumphally.

"I appreciate your decision, son. Trust me, it's good for everyone. Now, you may leave," Alessandro said arrogantly before turning to his wife. "Let's start preparing for the wedding, darling" he ordered his wife.

His wife, Anna, nodded as she picked up her phone and dialed a few numbers. Leonardo watched as his parents enthusiastically called everyone to give them the news.

He was promised to marry Ricci's elder daughter, Kate Ricci, but their parents switched brides, and now Leonardo had to marry Sofia Ricci.

He felt hatred and anger claw his heart. He had heard the youngest daughter of the Ricci family was ugly and uneducated. The Ricci family didn't care about her because her mother was a bitch who betrayed her husband and used to sleep around. That was why Carlo Ricci left her and married Kat's mother. But now, her daughter, Sofia, was no better than her mother. She was following her mother intently.

Though it would be a contract marriage, he could not help but feel disgusted by the thought of being with a girl like Sofia Ricci for three years.

"Fuck!" He groaned, coming out of his father's study. "My life is so screwed," he yelled as he kicked the wall. "But wait for the worst to come, Sofia Ricci. I will make your life living hell," he gritted out, staring at the void. "Welcome to hell, Sofia Ricci!" He sneered with hatred.