chapter 9

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lockwoods pov


The sheets clung to me like a second skin, holding me captive in the land of slumber. I lay there for a while, the memory of last night's argument with George still lingering in the air like a bad smell. I knew I'd been harsh, maybe even a little cruel, and guilt gnawed at my conscience. Finally, I got up and shuffled downstairs, the creaking of the floorboards a mournful soundtrack to my remorse. I found George in the library, his brow furrowed in concentration as he read a book.

'George,' I began, my voice softer than usual, 'I'm sorry about last night. I shouldn't have gone off like that.' He looked up, startled, and I could see the lines of worry etched on his face. 'It's alright, Lockwood,' he said, a slight tremor in his voice. 'We both said things we didn't mean.'

I took a deep breath. 'I just... I don't want to make any decisions about Valentina without talking to you first. It's important that we're on the same page.' He nodded, his gaze returning to the book. I hesitated for a moment, then blurted out what Valentina had told me the night before. 'She said she ran away from home, that's why she was living on the streets.' I finished with a low murmur, 'I just... I can't imagine what she went through.'

George looked up again, his eyes filled with concern. 'I know,' he said softly. 'It's heartbreaking, isn't it?' I felt a lump forming in my throat. 'So, what do we do?' I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. 'I don't know,' he murmured, his gaze distant.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice resolute. 'Let her stay.' A wave of relief washed over me. 'Thank you, George,' I said, my voice thick with emotion. 'I knew I could count on you.' He smiled faintly, the lines on his face softened. 'Of course,' he said. We both listened for a moment to the quiet hum of the house, the only sound the occasional creak of the floorboards. Then, I remembered. 'Valentina's asleep in her room,' I said, my voice barely above a whisper. George nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

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