40. Sleep with Me

Valerie sat at the dinner table, her eyes stealing glances at Antonio. The aroma from the steaming plates of pasta filled the room as they prepared to eat together. “Valerie,” Antonio said, his gaze meeting hers. “I would like us to have dinner together every night. Family time is important.” “Okay,” she agreed, her voice catching in her throat. She still wasn’t used the word family associated with Antonio. Could she really do this? Antonio looked down at the food, then back up at her. “Promise me, Valerie. Promise this will be our routine.” “Promise,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. The steam from the plate of vegetables rose, filling the air with a comforting warmth. Valerie’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. The little happiness she felt with Antonio here and there was tainted with the fear of losing this newfound stability they had created. The stakes felt higher than ever, and she struggled to find a balance between her attachment to Antonio and the ever-pres