My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 171

At that moment Valentina closed her eyes, her throat tightening. The silence between her and Luca weighed heavier than anything Maria could ever say. She leaned against the wall, her fingers trembling slightly as she lifted the phone back to her ear.

"Luca..." Her voice came out softer than she intended, almost a whisper. "I’m sorry."

There was a pause on the other end, the kind that makes someone realize a child was holding their breath.

"I’m really, really sorry," she said again, firmer this time. "I didn’t mean to break my promise. I’ve just... everything has been so fast lately. Work, life, trying to catch my breath..." She trailed off, her chest aching.

She could hear the faint shift of Luca settling into the couch on his end of the call, as if still waiting to believe her.

"I’ve missed you," Valentina admitted. "And not a day passed that I didn’t think of calling. But I told myself ’tomorrow’... and then tomorrow turned into weeks. That’s on me."

"Then... can I see you?" Luca’s voice was so small, so hopeful.

A sad smile curved Valentina’s lips. "Yes. I want to see you too."

"When?"

She didn’t hesitate. "This Sunday. Just the two of us. I’ll come pick you up, okay?"

She could almost see his face lighting up through the phone.

"Okay!" he said quickly, joy breaking through his tone.

Valentina’s eyes glistened. "It’s a date, champ."

Luca’s voice came with so much warmth and excitement that Valentina couldn’t help but smile again, even as her chest tightened a little.

"Thank you, Auntie Valentina! Thank you!" he said cheerfully. "I’m really happy you’re going to see me. I can’t wait!"

At that moment Valentina let out a small laugh, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Me too, Luca. Me too."

But then, he paused. His voice dipped a little lower, more careful.

"Uhm... Auntie Valentina... I heard when Mommy was talking to you earlier."

At that moment Valentina’s expression shifted. Her hand stilled against her cheek.

"She... she was walking around the house all morning," Luca said honestly, his tone gentle like he didn’t want to upset her. "She kept saying, ’How am I going to talk to Valentina?’ She looked really worried. She’s been thinking about it for a while." novelbuddy.cσ๓

However Valentina said nothing, her fingers tightening around the phone.

"And I know... I know she might have hurt you before," Luca added, his words slow and sincere, "but maybe, maybe she really needs your help now. Maybe everyone does."

She closed her eyes slowly, her heart aching.

"I’m not saying forget everything, Auntie Valentina," Luca whispered. "But... maybe just help this one time."

Then Valentina took a breath. She didn’t want to say anything harsh in front of Luca. So she simply said, "It’s not something your mom can’t do, Luca. She can do it."

So, she sees no reason why she should be mingling in that affair. She was already out—emotionally and physically. Her life had taken a new path.

Luca, however, wasn’t ready to give up. He opened his mouth to speak, but paused for a second. His eyes darted to his mother. Maria gave him a soft blink—gentle, but clear. It was her way of urging him on.

So, Luca cleared his throat and said softly, "Yes, I know, Auntie Valentina. I know you said it’s something she can do. But... she’s been the one doing everything, even when nobody said thank you."

His words were honest, tender. "She’s been trying, even though people act like they don’t notice. But now, nobody knows what to do. And Mommy... she’s really, really worried. Everyone is."

Valentina felt her fingers tighten slightly around the phone again, but she stayed silent.

"They don’t know who can help. Only you, Auntie Valentina. That’s why she keeps asking. That’s why everyone keeps waiting."

He sighed gently.

"You don’t even have to come to the house. You can just check it anywhere... anywhere you want."

At that moment... Valentina stared blankly at the corner of the room, her heart caught in a quiet storm of thoughts.

She had every reason to say no. Every reason to walk away and never look back. But Luca wasn’t just a memory from her past—he was the only one who had stayed. The only one who never flinched when her skin burned and peeled and her confidence shattered into pieces. When the world mocked her and her own family turned their backs, Luca—just a teenage boy—had held her hand without hesitation.

Even now, his voice hadn’t changed. Still soft, still full of that rare, honest affection.

She closed her eyes and breathed in slowly.

She remembered the day she got married to Raymond. Luca had cried. Real tears. Not because he was sad, but because he felt like he was losing her too.

Valentina couldn’t ignore that. She couldn’t ignore him.

So, after giving it enough thought, she nodded slowly, even though he couldn’t see her. Her voice was quiet, but steady.

"Okay... no problem."

" I’m going it," Valentina said slowly. Her words didn’t carry excitement, but they carried weight. "Tell your mom to send me the details and the place of the meeting."

There was a short silence on the other end, then a small cheer. "Thank you, Auntie Valentina! Thank you so much!"

Valentina couldn’t help the faint smile on her lips.

"Alright, Luca. Talk soon."

They exchanged a few more soft words—Luca’s cheerful goodbye warming something inside her—and then the call ended.

Inside the house, Maria had been watching. Her lips curled into a slow, satisfied smile the moment she saw Luca hang up. She leaned down and kissed him on the forehead.

"You did very, very well," she whispered.

Luca grinned. "She said I can come and see her!"

Still beaming, he turned and skipped off—his feet echoing faintly as he disappeared down the hall.

Maria, however, remained seated.

Her smile deepened. Not just out of joy... but victory.

Because the first step of her plan had just fallen into place.