The evening light in the garden was soft and golden, casting long shadows across the grass. The old oak tree stood tall and steady, its leaves rustling gently in the breeze the same tree where Luca had once sat alone the night Sofia left, and where Valentina had once dreamed of a life where their love could exist in the open.Sofia carried the small wooden box with both hands as she walked toward the bench under the tree. Luca was already there, sitting quietly with his elbows on his knees, staring at the grass. He looked up when he heard her footsteps but didn’t stand. He simply waited, giving her the space she needed.She sat on the opposite end of the bench, placing the box between them like a fragile offering.“I’ve been reading them,” Sofia said, her voice quiet but steady. “The letters Valentina wrote. She left them in the guest room.”Luca’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent, letting her lead.Sofia opened the box and pulled out one letter the longest and rawest one Valenti
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