And when I was done, there would be nothing left standing.
Because this time, I would make sure my revenge was final.
TEN
VALENTINA MUNIZ
Hours after seeing Enrico again, I could still feel his cold, cruel gaze burning into my skin.
Every poisonous word he’d spoken had embedded itself in my mind, echoing relentlessly, tearing pieces of calm out of me with a cruelty only he could deliver.
I couldn’t focus on anything. I was exhausted—emotionally and physically. I even managed to burn an entire tray of muffins, which had never happened in my life.
The house was deeply quiet. Clara was sleeping in the room next door, unaware of the storm slowly gathering around her.
I sat on the living room couch with my head in my hands, trying to find a way out—anything that could loosen the tight, crushing pressure around my chest.
Enrico Ferrara wasn’t just a ghost from my past.
He was a real, present threat to the future I had built with so much effort and determination.
A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
When I looked up, Júlia stood there, worry written all over her face.
“Hey,” she said quietly as she stepped in and sat beside me. “Clara asleep?”
“Yes,” I murmured, my voice tired but steady. “Finally. She was restless today. She felt something was wrong.”
Júlia exhaled and touched my shoulder—silent support.
“And you, Val? How are you?”
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to push away the pain that surfaced every time I attempted to answer that question.
“Honestly?” I let out a humorless laugh. “I don’t know. I thought I was past this, Júlia. I thought the past didn’t have power over me anymore.”
“And it doesn’t,” she said firmly, squeezing my hand. “You’re not that girl he left at the altar, Valentina. You’re stronger than you’ve ever been. Don’t let him take that from you again.”
A weak smile tugged at my mouth. I was grateful—desperately—for her presence. Júlia had been my rock since the day I arrived in this town—alone, pregnant, and desperate. Without her, I probably never would have rebuilt anything.
She listened when I needed to speak.
And when I didn’t have words, she sat in the silence with me, making sure I wasn’t alone.
“I won’t let him,” I said, firmer, even though my heart was still racing too fast for it to feel entirely true. “But he came in hard today. And I know he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.”
Júlia’s expression tightened.
“Do you think he could do something to you… to you and Clara?”
A cold shadow moved along my spine.
“Knowing Enrico, he’s capable of anything,” I admitted. “When he threatened me today, I realized how much he still hates me.” I swallowed, looking away. “It doesn’t matter how much time passes—he’ll never forgive me for what hethinksI did.”
“And you never tried to explain?” Júlia asked carefully.
A sad smile cut through me, old pain rising like smoke.
