21

The next day in front of the house which Markus has given. The lock clicked open with a soft turn of the key, and the heavy wooden door swung inward, revealing the dimly lit foyer of Valeria’s new home. The scent of polished wood and fresh linen lingered in the air, untouched by the presence of life until now.

Valeria hesitated for a moment, standing in the doorway with the keys still in her grip. It felt surreal, walking into a house that was hers, one that didn’t belong to Markus, one that held no memories of a loveless marriage. Bella nudged her forward with a playful shove. “Well? Don’t just stand there. Go in, the place is yours.”

With a small, steadying breath, Valeria stepped inside. The space was vast yet warm, sunlight filtering in through sheer curtains, casting golden patterns on the dark hardwood floors. It was elegant, refined—just like everything Markus touched—but it lacked his presence. And that, she realized, was what made it truly hers.

Bella followed closely behind, dragging in the suitcases with a huff. “Alright, Miss Valeria or should I say Miss Independent—you better start unpacking soon because I am not living out of a suitcase. We should start soon before this house loses the charm of being a home.”

But Valeria wasn’t listening. She had already sunk onto the plush sofa in the living room, her body finally releasing the weight of the past few days. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she placed a gentle hand over her stomach. “Welcome home, baby.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, filled with a quiet warmth that made Bella pause. For the first time in weeks, Valeria allowed herself to feel something other than pain. ‘This isn’t just a house. This is a beginning for both of us, baby.’

Bella smiled, watching her friend rub her belly with tender affection. “You’re gonna be okay, you know that? We both are here with you. Me and your child.” Valeria looked up, eyes shimmering—not with tears of sorrow, but with something different. Something new. Hope.

“I think I finally believe that. Thank you for being here with me, Bella.” she murmured, letting her fingers linger over the life growing within her. She may have lost Markus, but she had gained something far greater. A reason to move forward. And this time, she wasn’t looking back.

Bella let out an exaggerated sigh as she flopped onto the sofa beside Valeria, stretching her arms over her head. "Alright, now that we’ve officially moved in, tell me—have you actually reached out to Adrian Reed, or are you still pretending to think about it?"

Valeria gave her a sidelong glance, her fingers still idly tracing circles over her belly. “I did respond to the email,” she admitted. “I sent it last night before we left.” Bella perked up. “And?”

“And I’m waiting.” Valeria leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. “I don’t know if he’ll even consider me. I mean, this job was meant for you. What if he looks at my resume and thinks I’m not qualified enough?”

Bella scoffed, pulling a throw pillow into her lap. “Please. You’ve got more experience in business management than I ever did. And let’s be real, Val, a fresh start overseas is exactly what you need.”

Valeria sighed, tucking her feet under her. “I know. But it’s still nerve-wracking. If I get the job, I have to uproot everything again. And if I don’t get it… I don’t know what my next move will be. But i think now i will be able to move on, since i have the security now.” 

Bella nudged her gently. “Then stop overthinking. You’ve done your part. Now, you wait. And if Adrian Reed is even half as smart as people say, he’d be a fool not to hire you.”

Valeria smiled softly at her friend’s confidence in her, though a small part of her still carried doubt. The idea of leaving, of stepping into the unknown once again, terrified her. But staying here—where everything reminded her of Markus—felt just as impossible.

She let out a slow breath. "I guess we’ll see what happens." Bella grinned, grabbing the remote and tossing it onto Valeria’s lap. “Exactly. Now, while we wait, let’s do something useful—like binge-watch some trashy reality TV.” Valeria let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You are impossible."

"And you love me for it." For the first time in what felt like forever, Valeria allowed herself to relax, if only for a moment. Valeria’s phone vibrated against the sofa cushion, the sudden buzz breaking through the quiet moment. She glanced at the screen, her breath hitching when she saw the email notification.

Bella, noticing her shift in expression, sat up straighter. “What? Who is it?” Valeria’s fingers trembled slightly as she unlocked her phone. Her eyes scanned the words on the screen, and then—relief. A slow smile spread across her lips as she looked up at Bella. “It’s Adrian Reed.”

Bella gasped. “Oh whoa! That was fast. And?” Valeria exhaled a shaky breath, a mixture of nerves and excitement swirling inside her. “I got the job.” A beat of silence. Then—

Bella shrieked in excitement, throwing her arms around Valeria, squeezing her tight. “Oh my God! You did it! I told you he’d be an idiot not to hire you!”

Valeria laughed, hugging her back. “I still can’t believe it. He said he was impressed with my qualifications and wants me to start as soon as possible.”

Bella pulled away just enough to look at her. “Then what are you waiting for?! You need to pack your bags and fly out ASAP.” Valeria bit her lip. “I don’t know, Bella. It’s happening so fast. I haven’t even figured out what—”

“Nope. No buts. This is your chance, Val. A clean slate, a fresh start away from everything that hurts you.” Bella cupped her friend’s face, her voice firm yet gentle. “You deserve this. You and your baby deserve this.”

Valeria swallowed hard, emotion swelling in her chest. Maybe Bella was right. Maybe this was exactly what she needed—to put an ocean between herself and the past. She glanced down at her stomach, a hand resting protectively over the life growing inside her. A new job. A new country and a new beginning.

And this time, she wasn’t running from something—she was running toward something better. Taking a deep breath, she met Bella’s gaze with newfound determination. “Alright,” she said, nodding. “I’m going.”

—------------------

Later that night. The dim glow of Markus’s bedside lamp flickered against the walls of his vast bedroom, casting jagged shadows as he stood near the window, a glass of wine clutched tightly in his hand. The city skyline stretched before him, but his focus wasn’t on the view—it was on the email glaring at him from his laptop screen. ‘Deal Rejected.’

His jaw clenched as he read the words again, fury igniting in his chest. “‘Ughh! What the fuck!” This deal had been crucial—something he’d worked on for months. Yet, just like that, it had slipped through his fingers. His grip on the wine glass tightened until—

CRACK!

The glass shattered in his palm, red wine spilling like blood as shards dug into his skin. Markus barely flinched as he watched the pieces scatter across the marble floor. His breaths came out ragged, uneven. “What the fuck is happening? First, I lost control of my personal life. Now, my business is falling apart, too. Fuck!” 

His mind reeled, and before he could stop himself, he reached for the nearest object—a crystal decanter—and sent it flying across the room. “Why does it seem like i have lost some kind of lucky charm of mine?” It crashed against the wall with a deafening shatter, pieces raining down like his crumbling patience.

His heart pounded in his chest as he braced his hands against the desk, his bloodied palm smearing against the polished surface. His gaze flickered to his phone lying nearby. His gut twisted. “Valeria.” 

It had been hours since she’d signed the divorce papers. Hours since he’d sent that damn thank you text. “That woman! I should feel relieved—should feel free—but instead, I felt like he was suffocating. What has she done to me?” And now, with this failed deal on top of it all, the frustration inside him burned hotter, like an uncontrollable wildfire.

He exhaled sharply, closing his eyes as the image of her flashed in his mind. Her teary eyes. The way she looked at him before she walked out of his life. “No, no. I must be just tired and overthinking.” 

Markus shook his head violently, as if trying to rid himself of the thought. But no matter how much he tried to push her away, she was still there—lingering in his mind like an echo he couldn’t silence.

Markus leaned heavily against the windowpane, his wounded palm pressing against the cold glass as his breath fogged up the surface. His stormy gaze lifted to the moon hanging above the city, its silvery glow cutting through the night like an unwanted memory.

"Valeria…" The name left his lips in a whisper, barely audible, yet it carried the weight of something unspoken—something he refused to acknowledge. His throat tightened as flashes of her surfaced in his mind. The softness of her voice, the way she looked at him when she thought he wasn’t paying attention, the quiet way she endured his cruelty without breaking.

But then, like a slap to the face, reality hit him. His jaw clenched, his fingers curling into a tight fist. “Come on, Markus. She had asked for money. A house and alimony. Do you really think she developed some liking or what? Hah! If she had truly felt anything for him, she wouldn’t have done that.”

Markus scoffed bitterly, shaking his head as if to rid himself of whatever momentary weakness had just gripped him. "Tsk… Of course, she never cared." His voice was a sharp contrast to his earlier whisper. "She married me for the Moreno name. For the lifestyle. And now, she’s walking away with exactly what she wanted."

A humorless chuckle escaped him as he wiped the blood off his palm with a white cloth, the red staining it like an omen. “That woman—no, Valeria—was nothing more than an opportunist.” And he had been a fool to let even a fraction of doubt creep into his mind.

Pushing away from the window, Markus strode toward the liquor cabinet, pouring himself another drink with steady hands. He took a slow sip, letting the burn of the alcohol chase away the strange ache in his chest. And he would make sure he never thought about her again.