Trigger warning : SA

Emilia's POV

The soft glow of my laptop screen casts a pale light across my desk as I scroll through the photos I took the day before. Cataloguing them should be easy, but my head pounds from last night's drinking, and every time I try to focus, my mind drifts elsewhere.

To her.

I press my fingers to my temples, trying to push through the hangover. But the memory of Valeria's hand gripping the belt of my robe flashes through my mind, and suddenly, the ache in my head is replaced by a completely different kind of heat.

A simple touch. That was all it took.

I exhale sharply, cheeks burning as I recall the sound that had slipped past my lips—the breathy moan I had been too caught off guard to suppress.

I groan, burying my face in my hands. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Why are you smiling like that?"

Dani's voice cuts through my thoughts like a knife, making me stiffen. I hadn't even noticed her walking in.

I glance at her and immediately school my expression, shaking my head. "I'm not smiling."

Dani raises an eyebrow, tilting her head. "Yeah, you are. I know that look."

I roll my eyes, forcing my attention back on my screen. "I'm working."

"Uh-huh," she hums, crossing her arms. "Sure. You keep looking at those pictures like they're about to sprout wings and fly off your laptop."

I ignore her, but the smirk in her voice tells me she isn't buying it.

Before she can dig further, Lucia appears in the doorway, her usual warm presence grounding me.

"Lunch is ready," she says, offering a small smile. "Your father is waiting."

I groan internally but nod, shutting my laptop. I don't have much of an appetite, but skipping a meal in front of my father is asking for a lecture.

I reluctantly make my way to the dining hall, the scent of fresh food filling the space before I even step inside.

The table is lavish, as always—a ridiculous spread of gourmet dishes that could feed an entire household. Most of it will go uneaten.

I press my lips together, suddenly thinking about Valeria sitting in the servants' wing, eating simple meals with Lucia and Adrian.

She wouldn't fit here. She wouldn't even want to.

"Emilia, you okay?" My father's voice pulls me back to reality.

I blink, realizing I've just been staring at the table instead of sitting down. I quickly pull out my chair, ignoring the way Dani watches me with curiosity.

"I'm fine," I say, forcing a smile. "Just exhausted from work."

My father nods, but his expression shifts into something more serious. "I spoke to the chief of police this morning," he says, setting down his fork. "He has the list of every guard and staff member who was on duty the day you were kidnapped."

That wakes me up.

I sit up straighter. "And?"

"He advised us not to fire anyone just yet," my father continues, his voice calm but firm. "It would draw too much attention. Instead, we've reduced their shifts. Since guards work in rotation, it won't seem unusual."

I clench my jaw. So whoever was involved in my kidnapping might still be working here, just lying low.

Claire, who's been listening quietly, suddenly asks, "Have any of them been around the house since Valeria arrived?"

My eyes snap to hers.

And then it clicks.

Valeria. She's been in the house this entire time. If someone inside had been involved in my kidnapping... they could have seen her.

My stomach drops.

My father glances at me, oblivious to the sheer panic now crawling up my spine. "A few of them have been around, but Valeria never leaves her room. The only people who know she's here are the four of us... and Lucia and Adrian."

I barely hear the rest.

I push my chair back abruptly, the sound loud in the quiet dining hall.

"I'm not hungry," I say quickly, standing up.

Dani watches me closely, her eyes narrowing as I turn and leave.

I make my way toward the servants' wing, drawn in by the distant sound of clinking forks and laughter. It's rare to hear such warmth in this house, a contrast to the cold, polished world I've always known.

As I step closer, I hear Valeria's voice—lively, animated, completely unguarded in a way I've never heard before.

"...So then César, being the little shit that he is, looks this guy dead in the eye and says, 'I thought this was a stick-up, not a therapy session!'"

Lucia bursts into laughter, wiping her eyes as Adrian slaps his knee, shaking his head.

"Dios mío, that boy has no survival instinct," Adrian chuckles.

Valeria grins, leaning back in her chair, her hands gesturing wildly as she continues. "Oh, and the best part? The guy was so confused, he just gave César his gun and told him to 'handle his own problems' before walking off!"

Lucia is laughing so hard she nearly chokes, and even Adrian is shaking his head, muttering something about reckless kids.

And then... they see me.

Adrian is the first to notice, jerking slightly in his seat. Lucia follows his gaze and immediately stands, smoothing down her apron.

Valeria, at first, doesn't react. But the moment she glances in my direction, her smile falters. Her shoulders stiffen slightly, and she lowers her gaze back to her plate, continuing to eat as if I'm not even there.

I don't know why, but the way she so easily shuts me out again makes my chest tighten.

Lucia clears her throat, looking genuinely confused by my presence.

"Miss Emilia, I'm sorry—did you call us? Is something missing from the dining table?"

I shake my head slowly, my eyes still on Valeria.

"The table is fine, Lucia." I offer her a small smile. "But this... this looks more delicious."

Adrian and Lucia exchange shocked glances.

Silence.

I feel incredibly out of place. Maybe this was a mistake. The quiet is deafening, and no one moves a muscle. My face grows hot, and for a split second, I want to turn and leave, pretend this never happened.

Then, Valeria moves.

Without a word, she gets up, walks over to the cabinet, pulls out a spare plate, and places it on the table.

She grabs an empty chair, pulls it out, then sits back down.

Lucia watches her with curious eyes, while Adrian raises an eyebrow, amused.

Valeria finally looks at me and, with complete indifference, asks, "Well? Are you going to sit, or are you just interrupting our lunch?"

Her words are casual, almost dismissive, but there's something else there—something unguarded, an invitation hidden beneath her usual indifference.

I sit down, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me. The energy in the room has shifted, the warmth from before dimming into something more hesitant, uncertain.

No one speaks.

They glance at each other, at me, back at each other. Even Adrian, who was laughing just a moment ago, seems unsure of what to do.

And then, Valeria moves again.

Without looking at me, she grabs my empty plate, the action so casual, so unbothered, as if she does this every day.

I watch, stunned, as she starts adding food to it. A little of everything, not asking what I want, not waiting for approval—just doing it.

As she spoons rice onto my plate, she finally speaks.

"So," she says, still focused on the food, "how does one become a professional picture-taker, anyway?"

I blink. "You mean... a photographer?"

She shrugs. "Same thing."

Lucia chuckles under her breath, while Adrian smirks, stuffing a piece of bread into his mouth.

I tilt my head, amused despite myself. "Well, it starts with picking up a camera."

Valeria clicks her tongue, unimpressed. "Wow. Amazing. Revolutionary." She places a piece of chicken onto my plate before adding, "And then what? People just... pay you to take pictures?"

I arch an eyebrow. "Yes, actually."

She finally glances at me, skeptical. "And people willingly throw money at you for... pressing a button?"

Lucia lets out a soft gasp, clearly holding back laughter.

Adrian outright snorts.

I narrow my eyes at Valeria. "It's a little more complicated than that."

She smirks. "Is it?"

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. "You think you could do what I do?"

Valeria shrugs. "How hard could it be? Point, click, done."

Adrian shakes his head, chuckling. "Dios mío, Valeria. You're really pushing your luck."

Lucia nods in agreement. "You do realize Miss Emilia is one of the best photographers in the country, right?"

Valeria pauses mid-scoop, glancing between them.

Then, she looks at me, studying me in a way that makes my stomach tighten.

"Huh," she mutters, placing the now full plate in front of me. "Didn't picture you as the best at anything."

Something in her tone stings, but before I can respond, she gestures toward the food.

"Eat."

And just like that, the tension breaks.

I grab my fork without hesitation, suddenly realizing just how hungry I am.

As I take my first bite, Valeria turns her attention back to Adrian and Lucia, picking up the conversation they were having before I arrived—as if nothing happened, as if I've always belonged here.

Just as I start to feel settled, comfortable, the door swings open with a sharp creak.

Dani steps in.

The lighthearted energy instantly shifts, tension creeping into the air as her heels click against the floor.

She stops in her tracks, eyes narrowing as she takes in the scene.

Her gaze locks onto me first—sitting at the table, eating with Valeria, Adrian, and Lucia.

Then, her attention shifts to Valeria.

Valeria, who doesn't acknowledge her, who doesn't even bother looking up.

Dani scoffs, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Are you serious?" Her voice is sharp, cutting through the room like a blade.

I sigh, already feeling my headache coming back. "Dani—"

"No, really. Are you serious right now?" She gestures around the room, then crosses her arms. "You're ditching lunch with your father, Claire, and me—to sit here?"

Her eyes flick toward Valeria, filled with something bitter.

Valeria finally looks up, bored. "Jesus. What now?"

Dani's nostrils flare. "What now?" she repeats mockingly. "What now is that you're acting like you belong here."

Valeria raises an eyebrow. "I'm eating."

Dani lets out a cold laugh. "Right. And I'm supposed to believe that's all it is?"

She turns back to me, eyes filled with accusation.

"So this is what we're doing now? Playing house with the people who leech off us?"

Lucia stiffens. Adrian's expression darkens.

But it's Valeria who moves first.

She slowly pushes her chair back, the legs scraping against the floor. Calm, too calm.

She leans forward, resting her arms on the table, looking Dani dead in the eyes.

"Do you want me to leave?" Valeria asks, voice eerily steady.

Dani lifts her chin. "I'd love nothing more."

Valeria tilts her head. "Okay."

She stands, but before she can take a step, I reach out, grabbing her wrist.

"No." My voice is firm.

She stops, looking at me with surprise, maybe even confusion.

I turn to Dani, my patience snapping.

"Enough." I don't raise my voice, but there's an edge to it that makes Dani's expression flicker.

I stand as well, placing my napkin on the table. "I'm sitting here because I want to."

Dani crosses her arms, eyes flashing. "With them?"

I glance at Valeria.

Her face is blank. Carefully unreadable.

Then I look at Lucia. Adrian. People who have been with my family long before Dani ever entered my life.

People who have cared for me without expecting anything in return.

I lift my chin. "Yes. With them."

Dani's lips part slightly, her shock quickly morphing into something angrier, pettier.

"Fine." She scoffs. "Play your little charity game, then. Just don't cry to me when it backfires."

She spins on her heel, stalking toward the door.

But before she leaves, she looks over her shoulder, locking eyes with Valeria.

"Don't get too comfortable, street rat."

Valeria smirks.

Dani's face twists.

But then—her eyes darken, her voice dropping lower, laced with venom.

"I don't know how you can even look at her." She sneers, voice sharp as a knife. "Knowing that the people she worked for were the ones who raped you."

The room goes silent.

The words slam into me like a punch to the gut. I can't breathe.

Lucia gasps audibly, her hands flying to her mouth and Adrian stiffens, his chair scraping against the floor as he instinctively pushes back.

Valeria's expression shatters. I don't know what's worse—the way my own stomach drops as the memories claw at the edges of my mind... or the way Valeria looks at me, like I've just been torn apart in front of her.

For a moment, nobody moves. Then—Valeria lunges.

A blur of motion.

Dani barely has time to react before Valeria grabs her, slamming her against the wall, a knife pressed against her throat.

"You lying bitch," Valeria snarls, her voice shaking with rage. Dani gasps, her hands clawing at Valeria's wrist, trying to push her away.

Lucia shrieks. Adrian jumps up. "Valeria!" Lucia cries, panic filling her voice.

But Valeria doesn't move. Her body is rigid, her grip on the knife deadly steady. Her face is unreadable. But her eyes? Pure fire. Pure destruction.

Dani's breath stutters. She trembles against the wall, but she's still defiant, still spitting venom. "You think I'm lying?" Her voice shakes, but she still smirks, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "Your people did this."

Everyone's eyes turn to me. I feel exposed. Stripped bare. Valeria's grip loosens on Dani for just a second.

She turns her head, slowly, to look at me. To see if it's true and I feel sick. The memories rush in like a tidal wave.

Hands pinning me down. Voices taunting me. My screams swallowed by the darkness. The cold, suffocating fear. I can't stop the way my body shudders involuntarily.

The way my breath hitches. The way my eyes drop. And in that moment—Valeria knows.

The silence is suffocating.

Dani sees it too. "See?" She rasps. "I don't need to lie. The truth is written all over her face. This is what people like you do." Valeria snaps and her grip tightens on the knife.

"Valeria, don't!" Lucia pleads, her voice breaking. I force myself to move.

I step forward, my hand shaking as I reach out, hesitating before resting it on Valeria's shoulder. Her head snaps toward me, her eyes wild, unreadable. But I don't move my hand away. Instead, I tighten my grip.

"Please," I whisper, my voice trembling. "Put it down." Valeria doesn't move.

I swallow hard, my chest aching. "It's not worth it." Her jaw clenches. The knife wavers for half a second.

Dani's breath stutters, her eyes wide with fear now. Valeria looks back at me. She sees the raw pain in my eyes, the truth she never wanted to know, the silent plea.

And then—she lets go. The knife clatters to the floor. Dani chokes on a gasp, clutching at her neck.

Valeria takes a step back, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I stare at the knife on the ground, my entire body trembling.

Lucia is crying. And I—I can't breathe. Valeria's voice is hoarse when she finally speaks. "Is it true?"

The words cut through me like a blade. I stare at her, my body frozen, my mind screaming.

Valeria takes a step closer. "Emilia," she whispers. "Tell me she's lying."

I try to open my mouth but nothing comes out. I watch as Valeria's face falls. Her anger crumbles, replaced with something far worse.

She looks at me like she's breaking. Like she can't believe what she's seeing. Like she failed me. And I can't take it.

I turn away.

"Emilia." I shake my head, my throat burning. I can't do this.

I walk out. I don't look back.

If I do, I know I'll fall apart completely.