CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Valentina’s bedroom door was shut.
From the hallway, there was nothing but silence. Not the peaceful kind, this was the kind that felt too still. Like the air itself was holding its breath.
Daniel shifted the paper bag in his hand and knocked as soon as he got to her door.
“Val?” he called out. “Hey, I brought your favorite, those mango pastries from that weird bakery you made me swear not to judge.”
No answer.
He leaned in, pressing his ear to the door. “Look, I know you’re upset. I’d be too. But you still gotta eat, okay? Come on, don’t make me stand out here like a loser with fruit-filled carbs.”
Still nothing, a chill crawled up his spine.
He knocked harder. “Valentina, seriously. Open up. I’m not leaving until...”
He stopped. Something was off. It wasn’t jus
