At that moment the glass cup in Valentina's father's hand slipped slightly, clinking against the table as he caught it just in time. His fingers trembled. His heartbeat echoed in his ears. He didn't even realize Maria had slowly stood beside him until her shaky breath reached his shoulder.
Sebastian was still on his knees, staring up at them.
Confused. Hopeful. But Valentina's father's face had gone pale.
His eyes darted between the screen and the man kneeling before him.
Maria gasped.
"Did you hear what they just said?"
Valentina's father didn't answer. He didn't need to. His body had gone stiff. His mind was racing.
They had just been given a death sentence—one they didn't even ask for.
And the man responsible for bringing it to their doorstep… was already in their house.
Valentina's father was still staring at the screen, his face frozen in disbelief. The words from the news kept playing in his head like a warning bell.
