The compound was still buzzing with adrenaline two hours after Valeria’s failed parley. Sofia sat on the edge of the large bed in the master suite, staring at her hands. They still glowed faintly with golden energy, even though the fight was over. Julian paced near the window, shirtless, the fresh scar on his chest a stark reminder of how close they had come to disaster again.
“You were reckless,” he said, though his voice held more awe than anger. “Charging out there like that. What if something had happened to you or Lucas?”
Sofia looked up at him, eyes still faintly luminous. “I couldn’t hide anymore, Julian. She tried to take our son. She tried to kill you. I needed her to see that I’m not the same broken woman you rejected under the moon.”
He stopped pacing and crossed the room in
