The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Sofia’s heartache consumed her, tears streaming down her cheeks in an unending torrent. She desperately tried to wipe them away, but they continued to flow, betraying her emotions. Each sob that escaped her lips echoed her inner turmoil.

“Why did I feel bad?” she questioned herself between broken sobs, her voice barely audible. She knew she shouldn’t have been affected by Leonardo’s actions, yet the pain gnawed at her heart. Her mind battled with conflicting emotions, unable to reconcile the hurt and confusion she felt. In her mind, she berated herself for thinking that someone like Leonardo could ever be interested in her.

As her tears cascaded down her face, Sofia’s self-doubt intensified. She couldn’t help but compare herself to the woman Leonardo had been kissing. The image of a stunning, perfectly dressed woman taunted her, highlighting her own perceived inadequacies. She felt invisible, overshadowed by the radiance of someone who seemed to embody perfection.

Her gaze dropped to her own clothes and her skinny frame, and a wave of self-deprecation washed over her. She believed herself to be undeserving of Leonardo’s affection, convinced that she paled in comparison to the dazzling figure he had embraced. She considered herself broken, a bearer of sorrow, and cursed with a streak of ill-fated love, having lost everyone dear to her heart.

The weight of her losses bore heavily on her, amplifying her anguish. The absence of her mother, grandmother, and grandfather became a gaping void in her life, aching with an intensity that matched her tears. Her crying grew louder, a symphony of sorrow and longing for the loved ones she dearly missed.

The sound of screeching car wheels echoed in her ears. With a jolt of terror, she watched as the car doors flung open and several men emerged in a frenzied rush, closing in on her with menacing intent.

One man stood out from the rest, tall and imposing, his face marred by numerous cuts and scars that lent him an intimidating aura. He brandished a gun, its cold metal glinting ominously in the light. Sofia’s breath caught in her throat as she tried to comprehend why they had targeted her, why this man was pointing a weapon at her.

Sofia’s heart pounded in her chest as fear gripped every fiber of her being. The menacing figure before her, with his intimidating presence and the gun in his hand, instilled a sense of terror that seemed insurmountable. She pleaded with them, her voice trembling, as she tried to reason with the assailants.

“S-sir, I beg you. I have nothing of value. I don’t have any money or anything worth taking. Please, don’t harm me. Let me go,” Sofia implored, her voice filled with desperation and a raw vulnerability.

The towering man sneered, his rough features etched with scars that told stories of a violent past. He exuded a sinister aura that made it evident that his menacing appearance alone was enough to strike fear into anyone’s heart. Sofia couldn’t understand why they were targeting her, why they wanted to end her life.

Fear clutched at her throat as she questioned them, her voice quivering with a mix of anxiety and confusion. “Who are you? What do you want from me?” Tears welled up in her eyes once again, threatening to spill over as her emotions ran high.

The assailant’s response was laced with contempt as he brandished the gun, his tone dripping with menace. “Shut up and do as I say. Come with us. Don’t make things worse for yourself.” The barrel of the gun waved threateningly in her direction, a stark reminder of the danger she faced.

In that moment, Sofia’s mind raced, desperately searching for an escape route. But as she glanced around, she realized they had encircled her, leaving no room for her to flee. Panic surged through her veins as she came to terms with the harsh reality that she was trapped, at the mercy of these ruthless individuals.

“Please let me go. You won’t get anything from me. I am poor and ugly. I beg you, don’t kill me,” she implored, her voice filled with genuine terror.

One of the kidnappers, a sinister man with a cold laugh, dismissed her pleas callously.

“We are already paid to take you with us. And if you don’t co-operate, we have to tie you or, worse, we have to shoot you,” he jeered, relishing in Sofia’s fear.

The gravity of the situation sank deeper within her, and she realized the dire consequences that awaited her if she didn’t comply.

Sofia’s eyes widened in horror as two more men advanced towards her, closing in on her vulnerable position. Her instincts kicked in, and she lashed out, attempting to defend herself.

“No, no, please don’t come near!” she cried out, her voice laced with desperation and anguish.

But her efforts were in vain as the kidnappers swiftly overpowered her, gripping her tightly and forcibly dragging her towards the waiting car.

Her pleas grew louder, her voice filled with anguish as she begged them to release her. Panic surged through her veins as she realized the gravity of her situation. She was helpless, trapped between the captors who bound her hands and sealed her mouth shut with tape, silencing her cries for help.

Inside the dimly lit car, Sofia continued to struggle, her body writhing in a futile attempt to escape her captors’ clutches. She felt their gazes fixed on her, a chilling reminder of the imminent danger she faced. Her hands were bound, restricting her movements, and her mouth was sealed shut with tape, rendering her unable to utter a word. Sofia’s body thrashed in a desperate attempt to break free, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. But sitting between her captors, she was trapped, sandwiched between their menacing presence.

As the engine roared to life, a surge of fear swept through the kidnappers, their expressions changing from smug confidence to panic.

One of them exclaimed, “Oh shit! He has come.” Sofia’s heart skipped a beat, and a flicker of hope ignited within her. She knew exactly who they were referring to.