A surge of conflicting emotions washed over Valeria as she struggled to process Richie's unexpected offer. On one hand, the prospect of freedom filled her with a glimmer of hope, a faint light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. But on the other hand, she couldn't shake the nagging sense of 

distrust that lingered in the depths of her heart. 

"And if I refuse to leave like that?" she asked, her voice tinged with defiance. “You cannot tell me to leave just like that when you have taken so ...