So much sat in the silence between them. Apologies. Forgiveness. The bond stretching, strained but not broken.
Then Val whispered, "Say hi to Luca for me."
"I will."
The line clicked off. Vee held the phone to her chest for a while, eyes closed, breathing slowly. The part of her heart that belonged to Valentina finally started beating properly again.
Behind her, Luca stayed quiet.
"Val says hi," Vee said, her voice still thick.
"I heard."
She shuffled down into the bed again, making herself comfortable beneath the covers, her back to him.
Luca closed the space between them, adjusted the covers around them both, and threw his arm around her waist.
Vee immediately settled into him.
He pressed his mouth to the back of her head. "Better?"
"Better," she whispered.
"Good." His hand spread over her stomach, holding her close.
