Chapter 131

VALENTINA I didn’t remember how I made it back to our chambers. My hands trembled as I pushed open the gilded doors, Alessio’s voice still gnawing at me. “Does he ever see you? Or does he only see her?” — The words felt like a sharp blade, slicing down my soul. And to add more distress to my account, I found Andres there, seated near the fire. He hadn’t changed yet. A glass of wine untouched in his hand. Sensing me, his gaze lifted to me almost instantly. “You’re late...” Thunder clapped over me. Swallowing the painful knot in my throat, I stepped inside and locked the door. He stood up, keeping the glass of wine on the counter. “Where were you?” he asked. His tone was soft, yet—something within it didn’t feel right. “I—” My lips trembled. I couldn’t tell him I had been staring into the eyes of his first love and probably—his only love. Or that his brother was with me there and his words ripping me apart. “I—I was only walking,” I lied, my voice almost cracking as I looked away. His in