Avery blinked once, the smile still stretched across her lips—but her eyes had narrowed, just slightly.
Still Valentina didn't blink.She wasn't here to play games.
However Avery's smile didn't fade, but something in her eyes shifted—just a flicker, barely noticeable unless you were really watching. She stayed silent for a second longer than necessary, then gave a forced chuckle and stepped back.
"Okay," she said, brushing invisible lint off her jacket, "if you say so."
Her tone was light. Too light.
But inside her chest, her thoughts were roaring.
She kept her face calm on the outside, but her mind was racing.
"I thought they were rumors. I thought her face and her skin were ruined beyond repair… That she'd hide forever. But standing here now, it's just unbelievable,"
Avery couldn't deny what her eyes were seeing, Valentina looked… perfect.
Not just good. Not just recovered. Perfect.
