Page 37 of Code of Heart

CHAPTER 18

Estrella

Estrella sat quietly in her office, with a tired yet satisfied smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Estrella was the type of person who couldn’t rest until the job was done, willing to forego necessities like sleep if it meant bringing two souls in desperate need of finding one another.

And Levi and Aureliadesperatelyneeded each other.

Now, after two long days, the in-depth interviews were complete, and the assessments were finished. She had worked late into the night to ensure their profiles were compiled. Before her lay two detailed files—one for Aurelia Douro and the other for Levi Lockwood.

They were a match.

But she had known they would be. She knew long before they signed their service agreements. Long before they completed any of the required work.

Because Estrella had a secret gift, one that allowed her to weave the threads of life itself and bind two souls together…like she did for Levi and Aurelia.

With a practiced hand, Estrella slipped each file into its respective envelope, sealing the carefully curated insights inside.

It was time for them to see the truth she already knew.

With those two special packages delivered earlier that morning, Estrella wasn’t surprised when her phone buzzed with a new message on two separate occasions that evening. Though sherecognized what they were for before she read them, she couldn’t help but feel satisfied with the outcome anyway.

She didn’t like to be overly arrogant, however, and still unlocked her phone to confirm what she already suspected.

Levi:I'm in. I want to marry her.

Aurelia:I've reviewed the file. Let’s go ahead with this mystery man before I chicken out and change my mind.

Estrella smiled.Perfect.

Estrella's next task was to coordinate the wedding.

She contacted both Levi and Aurelia separately to discuss the details.

Levi's response was straightforward. “Whatever my future wife wants is fine with me. I prefer something small and as soon as possible. No need for a spectacle, but will happily do whatever she would like.”

Aurelia, on the other hand, was equally decisive…or rather more frightened at the idea of deciding anything, opting for it to be as small and simple as possible. Estrella assured her that she would handle the rest.

She clasped her hands together, pleased. Simplicity and full control would make this wedding much easier…for everyone involved.

Within an hour, she sent out two identical, but separate messages.

Estrella:Your wedding is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 PM at the Joia City Courthouse. Please arrive by 2:30 PM. Further details will follow.

The date was set.

Their paths were sealed.

And so began the countdown to a marriage born of chance, timing, and a matchmaker’s promise.

CHAPTER 19

Aurelia

Aurelia made her way up the black rock steps of the Joia City Judicial Complex, her heels clicking with purpose. She wasn’t late yet, but cutting it close after spending most of the morning getting ready.

Her hair fell in soft waves over a long-sleeve lace ivory top paired with a form-fitting nude pencil skirt and matching stilettos. Her face was glowing from the makeup tutorial she mastered thanks to Brandi.