Third Wedding, Right Groom

It was noble. It was admirable. It made me love him more, seeing this capacity for loyalty and care. I'd thought it showed depth of character, this willingness to sacrifice for family.

I didn't realize then that Valeria would weaponize that loyalty. That she'd turned Miles's guilt and sense of duty into chains that bound him to her every whim.

I also didn't realize that what Miles had told me about Valeria's time abroad wasn't quite accurate. He'd spoken with obvious pride about how she'd gone to study business at a prestigious European university, how she'd been doing so well, how she was "almost done" with her degree. He'd shown me photos of her at what he claimed was her graduation ceremony-Valeria in cap and gown, smiling that sweet, innocent smile.

All lies. All manipulation. But I wouldn't learn that until much later.

Valeria returned about a year after I'd started at Morretti Development, just a few months before our first scheduled wedding. Miles had been excited for weeks, planning her homecoming like it was a royal visit. He'd had her childhood bedroom redecorated. He'd planned a welcome home dinner at the most expensive restaurant in the city. He'd talked endlessly about how wonderful it would be to have her back, to have his family together again.

When I finally met her, I understood why Miles was so protective.

Valeria was twenty-two, heartbreakingly beautiful in that delicate, ethereal way that made people want to shield her from the world. She had long dark hair that fell in natural waves past her shoulders, porcelain skin that looked like she'd never seen the sun, and these wide, innocent hazel eyes that seemed perpetually on the verge of tears. She was petite, almost fragile-looking, the kind of woman who made men instinctively want to protect her.

She was also, I would later learn, a master manipulator who'd spent years perfecting the art of playing the victim.

"You must be Lila," she said when Miles brought me to meet her at the Morretti family home for the first time. Her voice was soft, almost childlike, with a slight tremor that suggested nervousness or fragility. "Miles talks about you constantly. I feel like I already know you.

" She moved forward and hugged me-actually hugged me, wrapping her slender arms around me like we were old friends. She smelled like vanilla and something floral, expensive perfume that probably cost more than my rent. "And I've heard such wonderful things about your work at the company," she continued, pulling back to look at me with those wide eyes. "Miles says you're absolutely brilliant. I'm hoping to join the team soon myself. It would be wonderful to work alongside my future sister-in-law. We could be like a real family business, you know?"

The words were perfect. The tone was warm and welcoming. And yet something about the hug, about the way her eyes didn't quite match her smile, sent a little chill down my spine. Something felt off in a way I couldn't articulate, even to myself.

I felt guilty immediately for that flash of unease. Here was this sweet, orphaned girl who'd lost everything, who was trying to connect with her brother's fiancée, and I was being suspicious and cold? What was wrong with me?

"That would be lovely," I said, forcing warmth into my voice. "Miles has told me so much about you. I'm so glad you're finally home." She seemed sweet. Vulnerable. Accomplished, with her international business degree and her obvious intelligence. Like someone who would be an asset to both Miles's personal life and his business. Like someone I should want as a sister-in-law.

I was so, so wrong.

Within weeks, Valeria joined Morretti Development as a junior project manager. She'd presented what appeared to be an impressive degree from Cambridge University-complete with official-looking certificates and transcripts. Miles had been thrilled, practically bouncing with excitement as he showed me her credentials. "See? I told you she was brilliant. She graduated with honors. We're so lucky to have her on the team."

He'd insisted on throwing a welcome party at the office, introducing her to all the key players, making sure everyone knew that his talented sister was joining the company. "This is the future," he'd announced, one arm around Valeria's shoulders, the other reaching out to pull me close. "Family working together to build something great."

Valeria had smiled modestly, ducked her head, and played the part of the humble genius perfectly. "I'm just happy to be here," she'd said softly. "To learn from the best. Miles and Lila have built something amazing. I just hope I can contribute something meaningful."