This wasn't the first time Capone had aimed a gun at her, but this time the feeling was completely different from the last.
Sophia couldn't explain why, but she felt a chilling sensation inside, her hands and feet cold, nearly unable to hold up the plate.
Capone quickly lowered the gun, smiling. "Look at you! You can withstand a gun pointed at your head without screaming or crying now!"
No doubt, she was his woman, and he felt a small sense of pride!
"What's this?" He tossed the gun aside and looked at the deep brown mound in the plate.
Sophia felt anger boiling inside her. He always acted this way, playing with others' lives as if they were worth nothing.
"It's tiramisu, the thing I make best!" Her voice was firm, though she couldn't tell if it was from heartache or rage.
"Oh, so this is what you promised to make for Mandy yesterday? Doesn't look like much, though. The name sounds nice, but I've heard it has a touching story?"
Sophia took a deep breath. "The story is just a marketing gimmick, it's not real. Tiramisu is a dessert that has only become popular in the last 20 years, originating from Italy!"
"Does the name have no special meaning?"
Sophia pressed her lips tightly together, refusing to speak. She knew that if she did, he would assume she was trying to seduce Mandy.
Capone's smile faded as he pinched her chin with his hand. "It means you want to take me away, right? This is your way of getting close to Mandy and Cronus. Is this how you win them over?"
"I'm not!"
Capone's fingers pressed harder, causing Sophia to wince in pain. "Too bad, it won't work with me!"
Tears glimmered in Sophia's eyes as she stared at him fiercely, as if that was the only way to prevent the tears from falling.
Capone raised his hand, and the plate she was holding fell to the ground, the whole tiramisu landing in a ridiculous way, utterly destroyed.
Sophia's tears finally fell, dripping onto Capone's wrist, nearly scalding him. He had to muster tremendous willpower not to retract his hand, continuing to squeeze her bones tightly, making her feel the pain.
"Do you still want to leave now?" he asked her. "The only one who can take you away from here is me!"
"I can stay, or… or I can just be like before! But please don't make things difficult for Mandy and Dr. Cronus; I've always relied on them, and they've never betrayed you!"
"Really? Can I believe you?"
"Why wouldn't you believe me? You might not trust me because I'm the daughter of your enemy, but they are your brothers, aren't they? How can you doubt them?"
Capone suddenly smiled, a bit sadly. "Do you really think there are only two colors in this world? Black and white… What does it matter if we live and die together? Everyone lives for a goal, and each person can sacrifice those around them to achieve their own. Even if they betray me, I wouldn't find it surprising!"
Sophia was taken aback; she suddenly thought of Lucas, who had betrayed those who had fought alongside him to join the opposing camp.
Capone must feel heartbroken; the most trusted person became an enemy overnight, and this trial wasn't the end because among those left around him, there were also those who could turn at any moment.
"Why aren't you speaking?"
Sophia came to her senses, tears still on her cheeks. "I just… want to ask you to let Mandy and the others go. Your endless suspicion will only push those who are loyal to you even further away!"
In truth, she felt that his life was very sad, lonely, dark, and untrusting.
"Aren't you asking me to let you go?" Capone looked at her; she always knew how to tread on his sore spots.
"If asking you works, then I ask you… let me go!"
Capone finally released him, reclining leisurely on the soft couch. "When asking for something, one must be sincere. What is your most precious thing? Bring it out; I want it!"
Sophia looked at her, the tear stains still fresh on her face, but no longer were there tears flowing continuously.
Capone, sitting in front of her, appeared mischievous like a child, yet that fragile exterior resembled an eggshell—just a poke would break it.
If he truly harbored any malicious intent to hurt her deeply, it was hard to see.
She remembered something she had read: lonely people in a bustling world are like the little spoon in a coffee cup, no matter how much you stir, it never dissolves—cold and solitary, just like Capone now.
She didn't say anything more. Taking a couple of steps forward, for once, she stood while he sat, looking down at him.
Her slender fingers rested on the buttons, unfastening them one by one. The winter clothes were already simple in style; as she peeled off the thick homewear, she revealed a fitted casual shirt underneath, followed by a bra that accentuated her full figure…
She naturally and obediently took off her clothes until she stood before him, bare as a newborn baby. It might have been a little cold, as her arms curled protectively around her chest, her brow lowered, stopping her tears and quietly waiting for him to continue.
Capone was somewhat surprised by her compliance and calmness, but it made him feel a bit uneasy.
"So proactive?" His body was warm, but his voice was cold.
"I have nothing else. My body and my dignity—take them if you like!"
Capone felt a little embarrassed as if she could see through him. He suddenly stood up, stepping closer to her and said, "Who said I like it? Do you really think you're some kind of princess, huh?"
Sophia was pushed back a few steps, lifting her face, tears shimmering again in her eyes. She admitted that hearing him say such hurtful things still made her uncomfortable, but clearly, he didn't want to act this way. Why was he being so aggressive? Why deepen her hatred?
"Don't you want me?" Her voice choked, raspy like it was mixed with sand, causing a painful throb in his heart. "Yes, my last name is Diaz. I was born into a wealthy family. I've had a life of luxury and ease since childhood, but I haven't done anything wrong! I'm just an ordinary person with limited possessions, trapped here by you… for so long, you've taken everything from me. If you think that's not enough, it only proves that what you really want isn't here with me! You can trade whatever you want for my father and brother; I don't care anymore. But now, if you still want me to give you something, I truly… truly can't do it. Everything I have is before you, and if you don't want it, then fine…"
She picked up her clothes to leave. As she bent down, tears fell again, and she wiped at her face with the back of her hand, feeling utterly embarrassed.
Turning around, she was suddenly embraced, strong arms wrapping around her, the familiar warmth of a comforting hug.
She felt she would never forget this embrace for the rest of her life, because even though she had clearly gotten drunk last night, she could still recognize him.
"Did I let you go? Is this your sincerity?" Capone's tone was harsh, his lips close to her ear, his breath warming her, tinting her ear with a rosy hue that gradually spread to her cheeks and neck.
How could she understand what he truly wanted? He hadn't even recognized it himself!
Otherwise, he wouldn't be troubled, wouldn't feel reluctant, wouldn't have layers of concerns and doubts!
Those riches and shares, the wealth amassed in the darkness and filth, all the struggles and snatchings that had begun since his childhood—what was worth such effort and concern?
Sophia turned in his embrace, her gaze colliding with the pain and intensity in his eyes that he hadn't managed to withdraw from. She reached out her hand to caress his lips, just as she had done in the haze of the night before, softly yet clearly tracing the outline of his beautiful thin lips.
Capone imprinted kisses into her palm, her hand still carrying the aroma of cocoa from the tiramisu and the rich creaminess of mascarpone cheese. His kisses became uncontrollably dense, one after another landing on her small palm, and her cheeks were so close that their breaths seemed to merge, as if they were kissing through her soft little hand.
Finally, he pulled her arms away, drawing her infinitely closer to himself, and leaned down to deeply kiss her lips. Her lips, like rose petals, were sweet and delightful, tinged with her tears, slightly salty. Capone's tongue gently curled around, absorbing the moisture, and with a little more force, her lips parted slightly, allowing his tongue to slide in, exploring every sensitive spot inside her smooth little mouth.