The Mafia’s Substitute Bride

Sofia had been feeling unwell for two weeks now, and her condition was progressively worsening. She had been ignoring her symptoms thus far, as she despised visiting hospitals and taking medicine. However, she knew she had to go for a checkup before it became too late. So, during the morning break between her classes, she made the decision to see a doctor. She had managed to secure an appointment and now found herself sitting in a doctor’s clinic, waiting for her turn. When her name was called, she stood up and thanked the receptionist before making her way to the doctor’s office.

Sofia knocked on the door and entered. The doctor, a brunette wearing a white coat with a stethoscope draped around her neck, greeted her.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Are you Mrs. Sofia Morelli?” the doctor asked to confirm.

Sofia nodded in response.

“Please take a seat,” the doctor gestured towards the chair opposite her.

Sofia settled into the chair, and the doctor began the conversation. “So, tell me what kind of trouble you’ve been experiencing.”

“Doctor, lately I’ve been feeling unwell. I have moments where I suddenly feel nauseous, and my head starts spinning. I make sure never to skip meals or overexert myself, yet my condition continues to worsen,” Sofia explained, describing her symptoms.

The doctor nodded attentively, jotting down notes on paper. “Are you married?” she asked, glancing at Sofia’s details on her computer screen.

“Yes,” Sofia replied, momentarily wondering why it might be difficult to believe. Perhaps the doctor had seen her husband’s name and was thinking about how fortunate Sofia was to marry such a handsome man. She stifled a giggle in her mind.

“And are you sexually active?” the doctor inquired, her gaze fixed on Sofia.

Sofia rolled her eyes and screamed internally. What a peculiar question! Of course, a married couple would be sexually active. But she replied affirmatively nonetheless.

“All right, Mrs. Morelli, we will run some tests on you, and you will receive the report tomorrow morning. Then come and meet me again with the reports,” the doctor stated.

“Okay, doctor, thank you,” Sofia said and left the room.

Sofia made her way to the laboratory where she provided the samples for the tests prescribed by her doctor. Afterward, she hurried to school to resume her classes. Luckily, she managed to arrive on time for her next class, where Rena and Enzo had saved a seat for her.

“Where were you, Sofia?” Rena asked.

“I went to see a doctor. I haven’t been feeling well lately, and my symptoms have been getting worse day by day. So I thought it would be best to see the doctor promptly,” Sofia explained with a shrug.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have come with you to the clinic,” Rena suggested.

“Oh no, that wasn’t necessary. Otherwise, I would have asked you. By the way, I need your help in selecting a gift for Leonardo,” Sofia said, feeling a slight blush spreading across her cheeks.

“Oh, really? What’s the occasion?” Rena inquired.

“His birthday is coming up next month,” Sofia informed her, grinning.

“Wow! So it’s going to be a big celebration,” Rena chirped.

“Definitely! There will be a grand celebration. But I want to plan a surprise for him. It’s the first time I want to do something special for him. He has always surprised me. This time, I want to make his birthday extraordinary,” Sofia shared her plan.

“Aww, that’s very sweet and kind of cute,” Rena commented, placing a hand on her cheek and gazing at Sofia with adoration.

Sofia laughed and continued, “That’s why I wanted to start shopping today, and I want both you and Enzo to help me with this,” she requested.

Of course, babe! We’re always here for you,” Rena offered, a warm smile lighting up her face. They both giggled but had to stifle their laughter when the teacher entered the classroom. Once school was finally over, Rena and Enzo accompanied Sofia to the bustling shopping mall.

They scoured through numerous shops, hoping to find something special for Leonardo. However, Sofia was at a loss. He seemed to have everything he needed, and she couldn’t think of a unique and novel birthday present for him. That’s when it dawned on her-they didn’t have any wedding pictures or photographs of their precious moments together displayed in their home.

A surge of excitement coursed through Sofia as the idea took hold. She could create collages using their wedding pictures and capture more of their romantic moments in secret, allowing her to immortalize them in beautiful frames. With an entire month at her disposal, the possibilities were endless.

“Yes, that’s it!” Sofia exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with determination. She shared her idea with her friends, and together they decided to visit some photo shops to select frames and reserve them for Leonardo’s birthday surprise.

As they returned from the shopping mall, Sofia felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. It felt as if she had been away from home for an entire day, even though only a few hours had passed since they set out. Recognizing the toll the outing had taken on her, Sofia concluded that it was necessary to see a doctor.

She had been anxiously awaiting the results, scheduled to arrive tomorrow, so that she could begin any necessary treatment. Sofia silently prayed in her heart, hoping that the test results wouldn’t reveal anything serious-just a minor nutritional deficiency or low energy levels. Determined to take better care of herself, she resolved to eat more and avoid skipping meals, a habit she had developed during her intense study sessions.

As the evening unfolded, Leonardo arrived promptly, defying Sofia’s expectations. His punctuality surprised her, as she had chosen not to divulge the situation until the test results were known. Deep down, she wanted to shield him from unnecessary worry, fully aware of the myriad concerns already weighing on his mind. But at that moment, as he wrapped his arms around her with a protective strength, Sofia’s fears and doubts dissipated, granting her a blissful, undisturbed slumber.

With the arrival of the next morning, time seemed to drag on at an excruciatingly sluggish pace. Sofia anxiously awaited the crucial call from the laboratory, her heart pounding in her chest. Each passing minute seemed to magnify her unease, while Leonardo’s inquisitive nature only heightened her struggle to conceal her inner turmoil. He persistently questioned her throughout the morning, genuinely concerned about her well-being. Despite her discomfort with deception, Sofia felt compelled to reassure him, forcing a calmness into her voice as she uttered, “It’s nothing, Leonardo. I’m alright.”

As the day progressed, Sofia found herself at school, the first class passing uneventfully. Accompanied by Rena and Enzo, she made her way toward the library, seeking solace in the embrace of knowledge. Just as they were about to step through the library doors, the familiar sound of her phone’s ringtone pierced the air. Sofia hastily retrieved her phone from her bag, her gaze fixated on the unknown number flashing on the screen, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation coursing through her veins.

Bracing herself, Sofia answered the call, her voice steady but laced with an underlying apprehension. “Sofia Morelli?” she confirmed.

“Yes, speaking,” Sofia responded, her heart quickening its rhythm within her chest. A surge of emotions surged through her as the voice on the other end of the line introduced themselves as a representative from the laboratory. She held her breath, silently praying for a positive outcome.

“Yes, you can tell me over the phone,” she requested, her voice betraying her urgency.

“Ma’am, you are six weeks pregnant,” the voice declared, the weight of those words crashing over Sofia like a tidal wave.

What? Was she really pregnant?

It took a few seconds for her mind to process the magnitude of the revelation, her emotions teetering on the precipice of shock and disbelief.