Chapter 123

The night wind lifted Valeria's long, dark hair. Rory looked at her and offered to send them home, saying that the wind was strong tonight. He opened the car door for Valeria and drove them to the entrance of her apartment complex. From the front passenger seat, Thalia suddenly asked, "Daddy, what are we having for dinner? I'm starving." Valeria glanced across the street at a small ravioli shop. She offered to treat Rory and Thalia to dinner as a thank-you. When they pushed open the door and stepped inside, Valeria naturally gravitated toward her usual spot. She liked to sit by the window whenever she came here. It was an old aluminum-framed window, the glass dull and hazy. A faded paper decal, once bright red, still clung to the corner. It was the old decor from last year's holiday season, its characters now sun-bleached and peeling. Her favorite table was right there—Table 6. It was her lucky number. She always hoped that Selena's life ahead would be smooth sailing. However,