Chapter 100

VALENTINA I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep. The final memory I have is of lying rigidly on the mattress, the room enveloped in silence, and my thoughts circling the missing envelope, much like vultures around a carcass. It was a mess to be honest. I had barely closed my eyes when—I felt it… The familiar, intoxicating scent of wood, wine, and dominance stirred my soul like no other. The flames of a burning gaze that almost turned me to ashes… My eyes flew open and there he was—sitting right across from my bed, on the swivel chair. His gaze bored into me like a silver dagger. I didn’t hear him come in, of course, I didn't. I sat up sharply, spine straight. "Don't you know how to knock?" My voice turned extremely harsh and defensive. Andres didn’t even flinch. He rose to his feet, his gaze dragging over me like it was the first time he had seen me in years. “We need to talk.” He said the same words I had heard before. “There’s nothing to talk about!” I hissed out, “Now get out, you