Chapter 127

Valeria's phone buzzed. It was a message from Sebastian on WhatsApp. "So, when a man helps you, your response is to buy him dinner?" "What else would I do?" Valeria replied, typing five simple words. She unlocked the door and walked inside. In the kitchen, she poured the strawberries into a bowl and filled it with water to rinse them. Just then, another message came through. "Is this your standard playbook when dealing with men? He drives you home, and you treat him to dinner at the ravioli shop right outside your building?" There were just a few lines of text on the screen. Valeria had no idea that, on the other side, Sebastian was clenching his teeth as he typed. "What else would I do?" she responded again, genuinely asking. Sebastian pulled up at the intersection, staring at those calm, indifferent words. He picked up the apple and took a bite. It hadn't been washed, and there was a bruise where it had hit the ground. "Your husband isn't home. If you're that lonely in yo