The house was still carrying the warmth of evening, soft lamplight spilling across the long table and the quiet shuffle of staff clearing away the last of the dishes. Valentina was leaning against the armrest of the sofa, legs tucked up, the faintest ache of fullness in her stomach. Lucas sat opposite, jacket discarded and his sleeves folded neatly to his elbows as though he had prepared for this moment long before he spoke.

“You’ve been dodging me,” he said evenly, eyes fixed ...