Chapter 42

Valeria’s POV

Gideon and I lingered on the cliff for a while, basking in the peace of the moment, something I hadn’t known could exist between us. He was unexpectedly kind, gentle in ways I hadn’t imagined, assuring me that the pain of the past would fade, replaced by something good and lasting. Though I was cautious, my heart too wary to believe fully, I allowed myself to hope. Maybe, just maybe,