The day stretched long after Damian's departure. The house, though filled with light, felt heavy — too still, too aware of its silence.
Alessia tried to keep busy. She walked through the garden, checked on the staff, and even sat in the library pretending to read. But no matter where she went, Valeria seemed to appear — always calm, always composed, as if she belonged there.
By noon, Alessia found herself in the sitting room, staring absently at the clock. The steady ticking filled the air, marking each slow second.
Valeria entered with a glass of lemonade in her hand. "You look bored," she said lightly.
Alessia didn't look up. "I'm fine."
Valeria sat across from her, crossing one leg over the other. "You don't talk much, do you?"
"I talk when there's something worth saying."
Valeria smiled faintly. "Damian said you were like that."
Alessia's eyes flicked up. "Oh..He talks about me?"
"Sometimes," Valeria said, her tone casual. "He said you're quiet but stubborn. That you don't let people in easily."
Alessia's chest tightened. "He said that?"
Valeria nodded, swirling the ice in her glass. "He also said you're the only person who can make him stop working for more than five minutes. That's impressive."
Alessia didn't know how to respond. The compliment — if it was one — felt strange coming from her.
Valeria leaned back, studying her. "You know, I wasn't sure what to expect when I came here. I thought you'd be… different."
Alessia frowned slightly. "Different how?"
"Colder," Valeria said simply. "He's always been drawn to people who challenge him, but I didn't think he'd choose someone who looks at him like that."
"Like what?"
Valeria smiled. "Like you're trying not to care."
The words hit harder than Alessia expected. She looked away, her voice quiet. "You don't know me."
"Not yet," Valeria said softly. "But I'd like to."
Alessia stood, her composure slipping. "Why are you really here, Valeria?"
Valeria's expression didn't change. "To spend time with my brother."
Alessia froze. "Your brother?" Valeria nodded. "Damian is my half-brother, technically. Same father. Different mothers."
The air between them stilled. Alessia's voice came out low. "You could've said that before."
Valeria gave a small, rueful smile. "I wanted to. But you looked like you'd already decided who I was."
Alessia looked away, her voice quieter now. "You didn't exactly make it easy to think otherwise."
Valeria chuckled softly. "Fair enough." She stood, smoothing her blouse. "You should calm down, Alessia. Not everyone who walks into his life is a threat. I'm family."
Alessia's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm not interested in being threatened or reassured."
Valeria smiled faintly. "Then maybe we'll get along after all."
She turned and walked toward the door, pausing before leaving. "You should eat something. You look like you haven't since last night."
Alessia stood there for a long moment, her thoughts tangled. The tension that had filled her chest since Valeria's arrival began to ease, but only slightly.
She sat back down, staring at the empty space across the table.
Family.
The word echoed in her mind, soft but uncertain.
She wasn't sure if she believed it yet.