Chapter 279

• VALENTINA
• ~•~
• The house had gone quiet. Really quiet. The kind of quiet that settles in after everybody leaves and the party lights stay on just a little too long. Mom had gone upstairs with Uncle James a while ago, whispering goodnights and hugging me extra tight like she still couldn't believe any of it. Luca let the nurse help him back to his room, but not before he gave me one last grin and told me not to stay up too late. Elira cleared most of the cake plates and slipped out without saying much, just a soft "congratulations again, miss" that made my chest feel warm.