"I'm sorry," Valentina said simply. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
He stepped fully into the room and gently closed the door behind him. "I don't know what to say, Val," he admitted. "I don't." He took a few steps further into the room, stopping just short of where she stood. "I am relieved that you are here," he added honestly, his gaze softening just slightly. "Truly."
When she had walked away, when she had placed that ring back into his hand, he thought he had lost her completely.
"But what is it you want?" he asked.
Valentina swallowed, her fingers tightening together briefly before she steadied herself. "Maybe… we can pick up where we left off," she said.
It sounded hopeful. She was testing whether that future still existed. Ricardo let out a quiet breath, his gaze dropping for a moment before lifting back to her.
"And Marco?" he asked. "How many more times will you choose him over me?"
