A LOVE THAT KILLS

y first meeting with the Costa family. I had been preparing for this moment for

the thought of it all-the Costa house, the wedding

ne. It was just another meeting, just another client. But even as I

nd a simple ponytail. I needed to look polished, but still approachable. I could al

y, the more I felt the calm of the countryside wrap around me. The roads became narrower, winding up into the hills, and with ea

towering high, the family crest gleaming in the sunlight. There were guards standing by, stone-f

, his voice as cool and impassi

best to keep my voice steady. "I h

kind of test. Then he spoke into a radio, confirming my identity. After wh

drove through, past the massive

almost overwhelming. It was exactly what I had imag

creamed wealth. But it wasn't flashy. It was grand in a way that felt ca

ned, her hair perfectly styled, her demeanor composed and professional. She greeted me with a fir

rwhelm me. Every hallway felt like it went on forever, the high c

polished. Like even the air was curated to perfection. The whole place had an atm

it could seat twenty people. Mrs. Hayes gestured to the chairs at the

the Costa family. I had no idea what to expect, but I had a feelin

e first one to walk through the door was Santino Costa, and the

ing the room with a sharpness that felt like he could see straight through me. There was no smile, n

antino Costa." He gave a brief nod in my direction but said nothi

ould care less about the formality of the moment. His energy was more open than Santino's, though there was still somethi

s handshake firm but friend

but feel the raw energy she gave off. She didn't walk into the room like someone who was worrie

llow the rules, at least not the ones most people lived by. She glanced at

fly. Her voice was smoo

ng dark hair styled perfectly, her eyes sharp and calculating. She didn't smile, but

everything. Marianne sat beside Santin

He was a little bundle of energy, completely un

ng up random objects from the table, his little hands busy with whatever caught

ng moment, no one spoke. I took a deep breath, trying to

please tell us more about your business. We're curious

e as the couples I work with. I focus on creating an atmosphere that reflects the couple's story, their personalities, their dreams. I've worke

d to ignore. He was staring at me with an intensity that made me feel like I was being pu

perfect," Santino said bluntly, his voice d

understand. And I'm fully prepared to meet you

, however, was less rigid. "I like her," he said, leanin

a small, relieved smile, b

e to it. "I assume you know what you're getting into with this wedding. It's not going to be lik

why I'm here-to make sure every

nd feedback. Serena seemed more relaxed as the conversation move

en the mood. Mrs. Hayes kept things running smoothly, asking questions and making no

d began to gather the papers. "Thank you for y

't help but notice Santino's gaze once more. It was hard to re

I was ready for w

e, clearing my head just enough to breathe. The day had felt li

s piercing gaze was still fresh in my mind. He hadn't said much, but e

d behind me, and I slowly began to drive down the long, winding driveway, m

all of it lingered. The contrast between their

city. The luxury, the marble floors, the heavy silence of the mansion-none of it felt real. I wasn't sure if it was the

some comfort against the chaos in my mind. But even the mus

nt

aped the surface of who he was. There was something about him-something calcul

, like he was studying me, figuring ou

m like he was always on the edge of a joke. He'd made the meeting feel a little less heavy, and for

s a sharpness behind her eyes. I wondered if she'd always had to fight for attention in

erself... it made me feel like she was more than just a mother. She watched everything, tak

ite the nerves, I couldn't deny that I felt... something. Intrigue, maybe? Curiosity. Th

thing I'd ever known. And now, s

small comfort to know I was headed back to my space, my life. A sigh of relief escaped my lip

ill spinning. The meeting had gone better than I expected

story behind the Costa family? I'd barely scratched the surf

I reached for it and saw a new email from Mrs. Hayes. My puls

Har

will be in touch soon. Please expect furt

Ha

was happening. I was going to be working with the Costa's. Thei

eyes for a moment. What