Valentina's POV
The hotel room was small but clean, with a bed, a desk and a window that faced the parking lot. It was not the penthouse, it was not his, and both of those things felt like relief.
I woke at six with the sun not yet up. I lay still for a moment listening to the nothing, no footsteps, no Mrs. Chen and no silent breakfast across a table that felt like miles.
I sat up and stretched my arms over my head, my body felt light like something heavy had been lifted.
I put on running shoes, black leggings and a hoodie and went out.
The park was ten minutes from the hotel, the air was cool and the sky was pale blue, with a few people walking their dogs, a woman pushing a stroller and an old man sitting on a bench reading a newspaper.
I started jogging, my feet hit the pavement
