Chapter 45. Withdrawal

"Valerio," I breathed calmly as I opened the door, trying not to look fazed or shaken.

"Hi," I managed a smile as he stood staring at me. "When did you get back?" I continued, trying not to show how nervous I was.

"You didn't leave," he said, as if he didn't care, but his eyes told me more.

I shrugged and nodded.

"I came back that same night. There was nothing for me there when you weren't there," he said, trying to make a point, but I looked away from his eyes that held mine.

"Okay," I said, looking to dismiss him, but he didn't look like he would budge.

"I was worried," he started again as he stared at me with that intense gaze that broke all my resolve. "I mean you left like that and threatened to leave our—"

He paused and parted his lips to talk. "The house," he said instead. Was he planning to say "our"?

"I was angry and tired," I tried to defend myself, making him see me more as the victim here.

"My brothers are jerks, right?"

I shrugged and sighed. Where was this conversation g