The coffee shop was busy at that time of the day, this was the first thing she noticed as she walked in, stopping for a moment to mask her uneasiness before she headed to the table where he’d be waiting. Five, Six, Seven…‘It’s okay, there are many people around, that’s why I chose this place.’Just in case. One could never be too careful.“Valeria, you’re quite early.” Mateo stood up to greet her, dressed in a formal suit but looking every bit the same person he was seven years ago. Who used a suit in this type of weather?She did not think this was a situation where anyone could smile (she certainly couldn’t) but he did. “Nice to see you again.”“Hello.” She took a seat, ignoring how he’d leaned on her as if he wanted to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. “So… you’ve been doing well. I’m glad you decided to me

“But dad says mom and dads have to be together. Mom, why don’t you like dad?” Manu asked as they crossed the gates of his school.She should have known that Mateo would try to twist things in the moments they were far enough for her to see them but not hear what they talked about.“Not all moms and dads are together.” “So he can’t live with us?”“All this time we were living well with grandma, right? Why are you suddenly saying this?”“If we live together, I’ll see dad more often.”“You can just ask him to visit you more.”However, Valeria d

This was so not what he planned his arrival to be like.Then again, Emilia seemed to have it all planned out by the time she asked if he could tour her around Cartagena for a couple of days, as part of her so much-needed vacations. She felt inspired by Joy’s sudden travels, she said.“That’s… great for you. But I’m really going to be busy this time, and I have a wedding to attend, so maybe I won’t be a good guide.”Still, he’d agreed to take the same plane, and for her to stay the first day at his home before checking into a hotel. Daniel couldn’t bring himself to say no, seeing how much of Emilia’s confidence was gone after the recent events in her life and how this was her attempt, in a way, to take it back.

Luckily, Mateo left when he realized the threat to call the police was serious, and before Daniel punched him in the face, which he later confessed he wanted to do. “I still think you should have called the police to set a record for this. He is dangerous.”Even if he didn’t say it, Valeria already knew, but an hour ago she only wanted that madman gone from her house, and that night she was content having Daniel lying on the right side of her bed, softly caressing her head.“It’s going to be fine.” Her words were more to convince herself than to convince him.“Okay.”“I’m just glad you’re here now.”It f

Ignoring Rosa’s words, Valeria was actually grateful that Manu could stay with the Garcías that night. It was only six in the evening but she really wanted to sleep, and ten minutes later when they got home, she crashed on the couch.“I know you’re tired, but at least go to sleep in your bed, Vale.”She shook her head. “I can’t get up anymore. Would you bring me a pillow?”He sighed, and she heard his steps around the room but then, very abruptly, she was being lifted in his arms. “What are you doing?!” Valeria’s eyes were wide open, and she held onto his shoulders tightly, afraid of falling.“I’m taking you to bed, and then I’m leaving