CHAPTER FOURTEEN
As soon as Grandma and Butler James left, silence fell over the room like dust.
Everyone was still catching their breath from the war that had just taken place in words, when Marcus straightened, buttoned his jacket with military precision, and said—calm, too calm:
“Valentina. Come with me. I need a word. Alone.”
Valentina blinked, her fingers still curled tightly around Samuel’s. She hesitated.
Samuel looked between them. “She doesn’t have to—”
“It’s fine,” Valentina murmured, gently releasing Samuel’s hand. “I’ll be back.”
The door clicked shut behind them.
They didn’t go far—just the library, a room lined with shelves and shadows. Marcus shut the door with more force than necessary.
Valentina turned to him, folding her arms. “If you’re going to yell again, can
