Chapter 346

• VALENTINA
• ~•~
• I swallowed hard, my throat tight as I glanced over at Luca. My little brother was breathing more steadily now, thanks to the emergency inhaler Nunzio had administered, but his small face was still pale, eyes half-lidded with fatigue. He clutched my free hand like it was the only anchor keeping him from slipping away. Maria hovered nearby with Sofia curled in her lap, the little girl’s thumb in her mouth as she watched us with wide, frightened eyes. The vault felt smaller than ever, the reinforced walls pressing in with the weight of secrets, blood, and choices that refused to stay buried.