Chapter 44 Valentina

• Valentina
• “Are you sure you want to join me?” I ask for the tenth time, part of me hoping he’ll change his mind. We’re meant to stay at Abuela’s house today, but I’m nervous about bringing him home with me. I’ve been putting it off for months, but I’m running out of excuses now. If I stay away any longer, I’ll just hurt Abuela.
• It’s hard enough to put on an act in front of my mother, but now that he knows about my father, I’m even more worried. On top of that, Luca has been acting odd lately, and I don’t know what to make of it. He’s been kinder, but also quieter and much more distant. I was certain he’d have questions about my father, but he hasn’t said a thing about it, and I don’t understand why.