Sofia Luca Elena NovelHearing Her Heart Drove Him Mad

I can hear the Heart-Voice of Elena Rossi, the scholarship student the Mafia Families sponsor.
Her tore up her own keynote draft and slipped the pieces into my desk, framing me. She sobbed,
I know I know youve always looked down on someone like mesomeone whos poor.
Within seconds, everyone was condemning me.
Even Luca Valentimy childhood friend, my betrothed, the future boss of the Valenti Familygrabbed my wrist and demanded,
Apologize. Now.
I shook my head through my tears.
It wasnt me.
But over Elenas dramatic crying, I heard her real thoughts:
God, this is perfect. Nothing like a childhood sweetheart betraying his little princess to make my plan work.
Then Luca snapped, his voice like a blade:
It wont kill you to apologize.
I let out a cold, bitter little laugh.
If only he could hear her mind as I do
And when the Familys heirloom powerthe shared mind-linkfinally awakened in me, I didnt hesitate.
I chose Luca Valenti.
Now, he can hear her too.
Chapter 1
During our mid-morning break, our class presidentElena Rossisuddenly announced that her Model UN keynote draft had gone missing.
The room erupted immediately.
Desks were opened, backpacks dumped, even the recycling bin overturned.
And then the shredded pages were found in my desk.
Elena went pale on cue, her voice quivering just enough to sound honest.
Sofia did I do something to you? Why would you tear up my draft?
I froze. None of this added up.
Then she lowered her gaze, her tone shrinking into something woundedalmost intimate.
I know youve always looked down on charity students like me.
Her lips trembled.
That speech mightve earned me a full travel scholarship. I was counting on it for the fees for my moms treatment
Tears collected on her lashes like she practiced them.
For you, itd be nothing. For me it was everything.
People dont get to choose where theyre born, she choked out.
I dont steal, I dont cheat, I work harder than anyone, and I was recruited into the Mafia Alliance Academy as a model student. So tell mewhat did I do wrong?
The entire class had already decided I was guilty.
So this is the real Sofiarich and cruel.
Having money doesnt give you the right to humiliate a poor student.
If shes so tough, why not pick on the daughter of Italys richest man?
Their anger rose fastfed by Elenas fragile shaking, the way she folded in on herself like someone who had just been stepped on.
Every student in the room seemed to mirror her fear, her pain
never questioning whether it was real.
I steadied my breath.
Elena, Ive never looked down on you. I didnt touch your draft. I dont know how it ended up in my desk. There has to be a mistake.
But then
I heard her.
Not her voice.
Her thoughts.
Oh please. Of course you didnt touch itI shredded it myself.
Unbelievable how fast they take my side. One tremble in my voice and theyre ready to throw her off a cliff.
And Luca? God, what an easy mark. Future Don, zero brain.
My jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
I had been able to hear her thoughts since the day she transferred
but I never expected this venom.
Elena Rossi put on the act flawlesslyher eyes flooded with tears, her voice cracking with feigned despair, every gesture designed to make hearts ache.
So now youre accusing me? I tore up my own draft and hid it in your desk?
Her friends rallied instantly.
Get real, Sofia. The evidence is literally in front of us.
Youre still denying it? Thats just pathetic.
I forced the words out.
Elena, you know what you did. Why are you lying? Why are you framing me?
That was when the crowd split
and Luca Valenti stepped forward.
My Luca.
My childhood best friend.
My fianc.
The Valenti Famiglias future Don.
He didnt even look at me first.
My smile died in my throat.
He leaned in, murmured something soothing to her, then turned to me with eyes as cold as cut glass.
Thats enough, Sofia.
He didnt ask a single questionhe just took Elenas side, trusting her without hesitation.
Funny how Elenas draft ended up in your desk, not anyone elses. Care to explain that?
If you tore it, apologize and stop turning this into a spectacle.
Your family didnt raise you to punch down at someone who has nothing.
The words hit like blows.
The whispered speculation vanished, replaced by blunt, unfiltered voices as the room broke into loud discussion.
If Luca doesnt believe her, why should we?
Who destroys someones scholarship chance? Thats sick.
Sofia always acted perfect. Guess it was a mask.
Through it all, Elenas thoughts purred with delight:
Yes, good. Fall for it, you idiots. Every last one of you.
Look at him defending me like Im porcelain. Hilarious.
Sofia, youre so easy to ruin its almost boring.
I caught her smirkquick, sly, poisonousjust before she tucked herself behind Lucas shoulder again, trembling for effect.
Im not letting anyone dump their lies on me and walk away clean.
If you think I did it, check the cameras. Thatll clear everything.
A couple of students who werent completely swept up by the drama whispered,
Sofia doesnt look like shes lying. Theres got to be more to this.
She sounds really sure.
Maybe shes telling the truth
But Elena immediately leaned into Lucas side, tiny and breakable.
Then he laughed.
A low, humorless sound.
How much did you pay the security office, Sofia? Just be honest.
It hit me like a punch to the gutmy face burning, my mind blank.