Valeria's POV
I turned to Elliot who was still watching me with concern in his eyes. "We're going now, baby. Say bye to Dad."
Elliot glanced briefly at Luka and gave him an absent minded wave. "Bye." His attention immediately returned to me, his little face creased with worry.
I helped him pack his tablet into his rocket ship backpack, my hands moving mechanically even though my mind was still replaying everything Luka had said to me. The weight of his words sat heavy on my chest, making it hard to breathe properly.
As we walked toward the parking lot, Elliot tugged at my hand. "Mommy, you said you're okay, but why are your eyes still like that?"
"Like what, sweetie?" I tried to keep my voice steady.
"They're all red and puffy." He stopped walking and looked up at me with those pierc
