Chapter Thirty Six
Valentina’s townhouse felt different walking in this time, Rafael carrying the letter from his father in his jacket pocket like something that might burn through the fabric if he waited too long to hand it over.
She opened the door herself, as always, though something in her face shifted the moment she saw what he was holding.
“You found something,” she said. “I can see it on you.”
“My father tried to change the succession clause,” Rafael said, following her inside. “Twenty-five years ago. Eleven days before he died. Grandfather threatened him over it, in writing. Told him if he pursued it, he would have to explain things about this family Grandfather had spent his whole life trying to keep buried.”
Something moved behind Valentina’s eyes, old and tired, the particu
