Valeria sat curled up on the slightly worn-out couch. The soft glow from the window beside her cast gentle shadows on her silhouette. The quiet of the evening wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, and for a moment, she forgot about the chaos in her life. 

But then, a sudden knock shattered her peaceful sleep. Startled, Valeria looked around, her heart pounding with uncertainty. Martha came out after putting the child down. "Who could that be at this hour?" Martha murmured, her voice ...