Valeria's heart clenched at Markus's promise, a mixture of relief and doubt swirling within her. She shifted slightly, her eyes searching his face for any hint of deception. Even though somewhere deep down she could feel the sincerity in his words. But Bella had sowed so much doubt in her that she could not think otherwise. 

"Markus," she began, her voice soft yet tinged with uncertainty, "How true are your words? Have you been honest with me all this time? Or are there any lies you've been ...