Chapter 12

Luca kept his word. Every week, same time, he arrived at the compound. Never late. Never overstepping. He held Valentina while she cried, fed her when I allowed it, learned the specific rhythm of the lullaby my mother sang—and sang it himself, off-key, until Valentina's eyes fluttered closed. I observed from a careful distance. I never left the room. I never interfered unless necessary. And I never let him see how closely I was watching. Three months in, during a visit where Valentina had...