Chapter 2 - The Viper in the Nest
For the next three days, the Rossi penthouse operated under a suffocating, invisible tension. To the outside world, and more importantly, to Elena Costa, nothing had changed. Matteo was the picture of a devoted fiancé. He kissed her cheek at breakfast, approved her lavish floral arrangements, and signed the staggering checks for the wedding catering without batting an eye.
But Clara saw the truth. She saw the way Matteo’s jaw locked when Elena turned her back. She saw the new security detail positioned on the terrace—men who answered only to Matteo, bypassing Elena’s hand-picked guards.
Clara and Leo had been moved into the guest wing, far away from the servants' quarters. Leo, oblivious to the lethal game of chess being played around him, was simply thrilled that he was allowed to eat his cereal at the giant marble island while Matteo drank his morning coffee.
"Did you find the chocolate coin man?" Leo asked one morning, swinging his short legs from the barstool.
Elena, who had just walked into the kitchen wearing a silk slip, froze. The color drained from her perfectly contoured face.
Matteo didn't look at her. He kept his eyes on his newspaper, taking a slow sip of his espresso. "We're still looking for him, Leo. But don't worry. When I find him, he and I are going to have a very long talk about sneaking into my house."
Elena forced a laugh, her voice shrill. "Leo has such an active imagination. Matteo, darling, the tailor is coming at noon for your final fitting. Will you be here?"
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Matteo finally looked up, his expression a mask of chilling perfection. "Of course, mia cara. I wouldn't miss preparing for our big day for anything in the world."
As Elena hurried out to dress, Matteo caught Clara’s eye across the kitchen. The unspoken message was clear: the trap was being set, and Elena was walking right into it.
