Leo was still sitting there, looking unusually relaxed.
He glanced at Antonio once, then casually sipped his drink again.
Antonio took a moment to process what Leo had just said. When everything finally registered in his mind, he looked at Leo and bombarded him with questions:
"So where is that girl now? Does she know? And is she pregnant? Does that mean you're about to become a father?"
Leo still didn't look very serious, which surprised Antonio.
He teased him, "Man, why are you taking this so lightly? This could be a real problem for you… or maybe a blessing?"
Leo looked at him seriously and said,
"Yeah… but I don't want to keep my hopes up anymore."
Hearing that, Antonio just looked at him in silence.
He didn't say anything more—he knew how troubled Leo had been ever since he found out about his physical condition.
Leo had always loved kids. He used to get excited at the thought of having his own someday.
He even had a girlfriend—his dad's friend's daughter. Their relationship had only existed because of family ties. This made Leo feel trapped and anxious, and eventually, they broke up.
---
Evening — Leonardo's Mansion
Mia had just woken up. A nurse entered her room and greeted her with a polite smile.
"How are you feeling now, ma'am?"
Mia looked at her and simply nodded.
The nurse sensed that she still wasn't feeling comfortable in this place. Her face was so innocent, it was hard to believe she could hide anything.
The nurse didn't say anything more and left her alone.
Mia got out of bed and walked over to the window. Her mind was crowded with questions—
Who is Leonardo really? Why did he bring her here? Is she really pregnant? And if she is, then how did it happen? Whose child is she carrying?
So many questions… and no answers.
---
Later That Night
Leonardo had returned to his mansion earlier than usual.
His mom had invited him and Mia to join her for dinner at the mansion. He had already asked a servant to let Mia know to get ready.
A little later, he came downstairs in a casual yet stylish t-shirt and jeans.
As he stood in the living room, checking something on his phone, he heard the sound of heels descending the staircase. He turned slowly to look.
Mia had worn a beautiful black dress—it looked perfect on her. She looked stunning.
Leo couldn't take his eyes off her. His heart started racing.
Maybe he was starting to fall for her—slowly, unknowingly.
He quickly looked away and focused back on his phone.
There was a message from Carlo, asking him to hurry up.
By now, Mia had reached him.
Leo looked at her and gestured for them to leave. They were going to walk to the venue.
The surrounding area, bathed in soft beautiful lights, looked magical.
They both walked in silence.
The only sound was of their footsteps on the stone path.
Mia kept stealing glances at him. Leo could sense it.
But he didn't react.
After a while, they reached Marco's mansion.
Carlo was outside on a call. Just as he finished and turned to go inside, he spotted them walking together.
Leo and Mia looked perfect together—like they were made for each other.
Carlo grinned like a fool at the sight.
As they came closer, Leo asked Carlo, "What are you doing here?"
Carlo simply showed him his phone.
All three of them headed inside.
---
Maria was instructing the servants to serve dinner.
Leo walked up behind her and hugged her from behind.
"Hey Mom! How are you?"
Maria smiled and gently touched his cheek with her hand.
"I'm fine. What about you?"
"If you're fine, then I'm fine too."
Marco had arrived as well.
Mia sat quietly in a corner, watching the family from afar.
There was pain and loneliness in her eyes.
Everyone took their seats. Carlo noticed Mia still standing alone and called out to her,
"Hey, Mia, right? Come, join us!"
Mia snapped out of her thoughts and gave a soft smile.
She walked over and pulled out a chair to sit.
They all sat together like a happy family, talking and enjoying dinner.
Mia kept watching their smiling faces.
And why wouldn't she? After all, this kind of loving family was all she had ever wanted.
Leo's attention kept drifting toward her, even though he tried not to.
Mia was good at hiding her expressions, but Leo was equally good at reading people.
The pain in Mia's eyes touched something deep in his heart.
Maria looked at Mia and saw that her plate was just the same as when the servant had served it. When she looked at Mia's face, she noticed she was lost in her thoughts. Maria called out to her, "Mia, what happened, dear? Why aren't you eating dinner?"
Mia looked at her, then glanced around at everyone else. The others were busy with their meals.
"Do you want to eat something else? Tell me what you'd like. I'll have it made for you," Maria said, signaling a servant to come over.
Mia replied softly, "No, thank you."
She then started eating her dinner without any expression. Maria looked at her for a moment, let out a quiet sigh, and went back to eating her own dinner.
After dinner, Maria, Mia, and Carlo lingered in the grand hall, while Leonardo and Marco retreated to the study.
Marco, seated in his heavy leather chair, kept his eyes fixed on Leonardo. Across from him, Leonardo returned the stare with equal intensity. It was like a silent duel—neither willing to be the first to look away.
Finally, Marco broke the silence with a deep breath.
"Have you thought about what's next? How long do you plan to keep that girl here? You know very well her father can't repay the damage he caused you—not in this lifetime. So why are you doing this?"
Leonardo leaned back, calm as ever, his voice low but firm.
"You don't need to worry about that. What I want to do—soon you, her father, and everyone else will know. And rest assured… this time, neither you nor I will lose anything."
Marco shook his head slowly.
"Be careful. Happiness that comes too soon rarely lasts."
The conversation shifted to business, and by midnight the meeting ended. Leonardo returned to his mansion, Mia in tow.
---
Mia was restless. Why is he treating me this way? she thought. If I was kidnapped like a criminal, then why this strange… respect? What game is he playing with me?
In his room, Leonardo stood by the window, cigarette in hand, the faint glow lighting his face. He stared into the dark night, lost in thoughts no one could guess.
Meanwhile, Mia lay in the guest room. The nurse, assigned to care for her, noticed she was sleeping peacefully and slipped away to her quarters. As the light clicked off and the door closed, silence filled the room.
But Mia's eyes snapped open.
The room was cloaked in shadows, a faint silver light seeping through the window. She carefully pushed aside her blanket, feet landing silently on the cold floor. Moving cautiously, she crept to the door. After a moment's hesitation, she cracked it open just enough to peek outside. The hallways were empty—no sound, no movement.
Satisfied, she shut the door again and locked it from the inside. Then she hurried to the wardrobe. In the dark, she pulled out a black hoodie and track pants, disappearing into the washroom.
When she emerged, she was unrecognizable—her posture sharp, her eyes alert. She raised her right wrist. A smartwatch gleamed there, hidden all this time beneath her sleeves. It had never left her, not even during the kidnapping.
Activating it, she sent a voice message. A reply came almost instantly. Her eyes lit up.
She slipped to the window, opened it with care, and scanned the grounds. No one was near. Quietly, she climbed out and began descending. Her movements were fluid, confident—far too skilled for someone supposedly fragile. Anyone watching would never believe this was the same girl Leonardo had dragged here unconscious.
Landing softly, she darted through the shadows until she reached the perimeter wall. It stood seven feet tall, crowned with sensors. But Mia didn't hesitate. Casting one last glance at the mansion, she scaled the wall and leapt over.
Freedom was close—but not yet hers.
The estate's main gate was still ahead, guarded by twenty men, every inch secured with technology. Mia crouched behind a bush, heart pounding. She lifted her wrist again and sent another coded message.
Moments later, headlights blazed in the distance. A car roared toward the gate, engine growling like a beast ready to strike. Guards shouted, alarms wailed. The car didn't stop. It thundered forward as though it would smash straight through.
At the last instant, the driver swerved, tires screeching. The vehicle halted a short distance from the gate. Furious, guards surrounded it, pounding on the windows. But the car jerked backward, circling to another corner. For a few brief seconds, the gate stood unguarded.
Mia seized the chance. She slipped through the gate, melting into the night.
On the other side, the driver staggered out of the car—young, disheveled, and drunk. Laughing loudly, he threw his arm around one of the guards.
"Hello! How are you? Do you know who I am? I am the President of America! Take me to the White House—I forgot the way!"
The guards cursed and shoved him aside, too irritated to notice anything else. They locked the gate again, resuming their posts. The man chuckled to himself, weaving unsteadily back to the car.
Once he was away from prying eyes, his expression changed. Sliding into the driver's seat, he lowered the window and smirked into the darkness.
"Hello, bestie. Come on."
From the shadows, Mia stepped forward. The faint moonlight touched her face as she smiled faintly.
"Hello, partner in crime. Very happy to see you again."
Their eyes met, sharing the same victorious spark—the thrill of a plan well executed.
The man opened the door for her. Mia slipped inside, and without another word, the car roared away, vanishing into the night.