Page 102 of Silent Oaths
Irush forward to meet her halfway, our bodies colliding in a fierce, desperate embrace.Herarms tighten around me as she clutches me like she’s afraidI’llvanish.
“OhmyGod,Isa,” she cries into my hair, her voice breaking, trembling with relief. “I’vebeen looking everywhere for you.Areyou okay?Didthey hurt you?”
Ipull back just enough to see her clearly, tears streaming down my cheeks asIshake my head rapidly. “No, no,I’mfine,Val.Ipromise.I’mokay.”
Valeriacups my face gently, eyes scanning every inch, reassurance washing over her features. “ThankGod.Iwas so scaredI’dnever see you again.”
Icling to her tightly once more, unwilling to let go just yet.Overher shoulder, my gaze meetsTheodore’s.Hestands silently besideRonnie, both watching our reunion, thoughIswear there’s a hint of tenderness inTheo’seyes that wasn’t there before.
“You’resafe now,”Valeriasays, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. “We’rehere, and we’re not leaving without you.”
Myheart tightens with gratitude asIhold ontoValeria, breathing in the familiar comfort of her embrace.Buta knot forms in my stomach—how doIeven begin to explain to my best friend that the three men who once kidnapped me have now become so deeply ingrained in my soul,Idon’t thinkIcan ever let them go?
Istep back slightly, keepingValeria’shand in mine.
“Didyou two plan this?”IaskRonnieandTheodore.
Ronnie’smouth curls into a sly smirk, eyes glinting mischievously as she crosses her arms. “Ofcourse we did.Theodorecalled and explained what was going on with our mother, and we decided it was finally time for a reunion.”
Valeriasnaps her head towardRonnie, eyes narrowing with the kind of playful irritationI’vemissed so much.Ronnieimmediately holds her hands up in mock surrender, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
“Desculpa, princesa,” she says, thePortugueserolling effortlessly off her tongue. “I’llmake it up to you,Ipromise.”
Valeriahuffs, but there’s no real anger behind it.
Myeyes drift back toTheodore, warmth spreading through my chest as our gazes connect, andImouth, “Thankyou.”
Theodorenods, stepping forward. “We’llleave you two to catch up.VerónicaandIneed to head downstairs.”
Immediately,Valeria’sgrip on my hand tightens, andIstep towardTheo, urgency rising inside me.
“Wait.Iwant to come,”Iargue.
“Metoo,”Valeriaechoes.
Theodoreshakes his head. “Thisis something we need to deal with as a family.Ipromise you, everything is going to be okay.”
Ihesitate, frustration coiling in my chest, but the quiet sincerity inTheodore’svoice eases some of my resistance.
“Areyou sure?”Isearch his eyes for reassurance.
“Iwouldn't say it ifIwasn’t.”Theodoresteps forward, cupping my cheek briefly. “Doyou trust me?”
Inod reluctantly, glancing atValeria.Sheexhales slowly, clearly unhappy with the arrangement, but eventually, she relents.
Verónicasmiles gently atValeria, mouthing a silent apology before followingTheodoretoward the staircase.
Asthey disappear downstairs,Valeriaturns to me.Herbrow lifts, a knowing look spreading slowly across her face as she crosses her arms.
“Isa...”Shedrags out my name with suspicion. “Isthere something you need to tell me?”
Heatfloods my cheeks instantly, andIswallow hard, averting my gaze in embarrassment.Valeriaalways sees straight through me.Myheart pounds wildly asIsearch for words.HowdoIexplain something evenIcan barely understand?
“It’scomplicated,”Iwhisper finally, not meeting her eyes. “Reallycomplicated.”
“Well, we’ve got some time, and you clearly have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Youhave no idea.”
