"Sir…" a soft voice broke the silence as the door creaked open. A young maid stood there, half-hidden behind the doorframe, her hands trembling slightly as she peeked in. Her eyes immediately dropped to the floor in fear.
Leonardo's head snapped in her direction, his face darkening instantly. His gaze turned sharp, cold, and intense. That single look made the air in the room feel heavier.
"Speak." His voice was low, but it held a dangerous edge that made the maid nearly jump out of her skin.
She gulped, forcing the words out. "M-Madam is here…"
The moment the words left her mouth, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. Leonardo's entire posture changed. His expression didn't shift much, but his movements..they said everything. His hand moved quickly, snatching the contract out of Isabella's hands. He folded it with precise care and slid it back into the drawer, locking it with a soft click.
The maid bowed quickly and fled, her footsteps vanishing into the sound of a voice shouting orders from the first floor.
Isabella sat frozen for a second, her eyes darting from the door to Leonardo.
Madam?
Was that his mother?
But what shocked her more… was him.
Leonardo Moretti, the mafia boss, cold and untouchable had panicked. No visible fear on his face, but his sudden rush, the urgency in his movements, said something she couldn't ignore.
Her lips parted in surprise. He's afraid… of his mom?
Leonardo turned to her, his eyes sharp again but this time focused entirely on her.
"My mother is here," he said in a serious tone. "We have to act like a couple in front of her."
Isabella blinked. "Oh… okay," she nodded slowly, still processing his strange behavior.
"Let's go," he said quickly, stepping closer and before she could react, his hand reached out and grabbed hers.
Her eyes widened.
He was holding her hand.
Now?
Back when they entered the house, he hadn't even waited for her. Hadn't looked back once. Had barely acknowledged she existed.
But now he was holding her hand like they were some sweet, united pair.
She frowned, glancing down at their hands.
He's fake, she thought bluntly.
But she didn't pull away.
If anything, her expression became a little annoyed, lips pressed in a pout as she walked beside him, letting herself be dragged by the most powerful (and apparently mother-fearing) man in the entire city.
What kind of mother must she be, Isabella wondered silently, to scare someone like him?
Isabella walked carefully beside Leonardo as they descended the staircase. Her hand was still in his, but her fingers had gone cold. As they reached the final step, her eyes lifted...only to freeze completely.
Sitting like a queen in the middle of the living room was a woman so elegant, Isabella thought she'd stepped into a painting.
The woman had flawless skin, perfectly arched brows, and deep blue eyes that shining like ice. Her lips were painted a bold red, shaped with precision. She wore a expensive blue dress that hugged her figure gracefully, her heels crossed beneath her like she owned the world. Her nails...long, almond-shaped, painted with pearl gloss were being studied by their owner like everything else was beneath her interest.
She didn't even look up as they approached.
Isabella swallowed hard.
That was his mother?
No wonder the staff whispered. No wonder Leonardo tensed. She was stunning, cold, and somehow louder in presence than anyone else in the entire place without even raising her voice.
"Mom," Leonardo said as they came closer, his voice calm.
"Don't talk to me."
The woman didn't even glance at him. "Why didn't you inform me about your wedding?" she snapped. "And you married Stella? Are you out of your mind?" Her voice was elegant, clipped, and refined. Even her anger sounded elegant. "Do you know how vicious that girl is? I've investigated her."
Leonardo sighed softly. He wasn't afraid of her—no, that wasn't it. But it was clear he knew reasoning with her took more than a straight answer. "She's not Stella," he said, his voice lower now.
That finally made the woman pause.
She looked up.
Slowly, Lina turned her head toward Isabella, her gaze settling on the girl beside her son.
Her blue eyes studied Isabella for a full minute. Unblinking. Unreadable. There was no warmth, no smile, no expression to guess at. It felt like being x-rayed.
Isabella's shoulders stiffened. Her breath caught. She tried to look calm, but her fingers were trembling slightly.
Now she understood why Leonardo was so on edge.
Lina Moretti didn't need to shout to make people feel small.
"Come here," Lina said, voice flat.
Isabella hesitated but the hand Leonardo held squeezed hers gently, urging her forward. She took a shaky step, then another, until she stood just before the elegant woman's chair.
Lina finally raised her chin. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"What's your name?" she asked, her tone still cool as marble.
"I… I-Isabella," she stammered softly.
The name hung in the air for a second.
Lina leaned back slowly in her seat. "Hmm." Her gaze never left Isabella's face.
"Why did you marry her?" Lina asked sharply, her gaze still fixed on Isabella, not even glancing at her son.
Her voice was calm too calm. But her stare was so powerful, so piercing, Isabella felt like she was being slowly turned into a puddle right there on the expensive floor tiles.
Leonardo didn't flinch.
"I love her," he said smoothly.
Isabella's eyes snapped wide.
He what?!
Leonardo's voice was steady, confident. "Stella ran away from the wedding. That's when I realized… Bella is the one for me."
Isabella felt like someone had just hit her with a pillow full of bricks. Her face flushed pink, her hands squeezed the sides of her dress, and she didn't dare look up at Lina. Why would he say something like that?! In front of his mother?! In front of me?!
She stared at the floor like it had all the answers to life.
I'm gonna die.
But all Lina did was hum. "Hmm…"
Then, without missing a beat, she turned her attention back to Isabella.
"So, Isabella… do you know what my son likes?"
Isabella's heart stopped.
Her mind blanked.
Completely.
What does he like?!
She didn't even know he was named Leonardo until hours ago!
How would I know what this mafia prince eats for breakfast?!
Panic swelled in her chest, but her lips stretched into a small, trembling smile.
Inside, she was screaming: Shouldn't YOU know what your son likes?! You raised him!!