Heading back to her room, she gently closed the door even though she wanted to slam it shut and kick it down before stomping on it with all her might.

Instead, she calmly sat on the bed and tried to organize her life. She needed to get out of here.

Now.

She needed to start paying back everything she’d eaten and drank for the past couple of months. All the clothes, the rides, the supplies that she had used. Everything. And she needed to leave this house, so she was not surrounded by his things.

Unfortunately, she was already packed. She needed to take out every piece of clothing, shoes, and jewelry that she had been given and put them back in place. The only thing she would be bringing would be the things she bought with her own money.

She planned on paying back every single cent Kaiser Grayson had ever spent on her, with interest.

As she sat down and tried to organize the thoughts in her aching head, the system decided to show its head.

[The Host shouldn’t be too upset. This is for the bes-]

“Shove it and be quiet. I’m not in the mood to deal with you right now and I know you’re probably secretly cheering. I don’t want to hear your fake condolences.” Valentina coldly told the system, and it immediately became quiet.

Sensing the host’s mood, it felt like it would evaporate if it dared congratulate her on leaving Kaiser Grayson.

It would just quietly celebrate this small win.

Seeing that the system had decided to behave, Valentia got on her phone. She quickly purchased an economy flight to her filming destination before emailing Roman to get a refund for the original flight he had sent her.

Grabbing her original suitcases, she packed everything she owned in her current room. She had originally planned to come back here after filming, but she had packed everything up and put it in storage since her apartment wasn’t safe.

As she was cleaning everything, her eyes landed on the flowerpot peonies that Kaiser gave her every couple of days, and she couldn’t help but snort. How foolish she had been.

Tossing it in the trash, she made sure that everything in the room was spic and span and spotless, even scrubbing the bathroom and removing the sheets from the bed. All her things fit in her original suitcase as she just trashed things she viewed as less important. She could replace it later.

Piling her things by the door, she went into the dressing room and began unpacking the suitcases in there, carefully putting everything back in its place. Kaiser or Lia could return the things she hadn’t worn or gift it to somebody else. It was not of her business.

Exhausted from all her packing and moving, she took a break on her bed and called Rio.

“Yo, yo. Did you make it back safely?”

“Do me a favor, please. I’ll pay you back.” Valentina said calmly.

“What’s wrong? You sound angry.”

“I am not angry. I am calm. I need a place to stay tonight and tomorrow before I go to the airport in two days. Do you mind if I stay in your extra room? If it’s inconvenient, I’ll get a hotel. Unfortunately, I can’t stay in my own apartment right now.”

“…What happened?” Rio’s voice was deceptively calm as he stopped joking around.

“Please don’t ask me. Also, if you have a recommendation for a storage unit that’s affordable, I would really appreciate it.”

“…you can spend as much time as you want here, so you don’t have to pay for a hotel since I know money is short for you. There’s a trainstop near me if you need to go to the airport or I can drive you depending on the time. And if you’re fine with it, my building has an e-z-storage hub for $100 a month. If you have a huge amount of stuff, I have a friend with a truck, and he can help with the storage unit as well. What do you need from me?” Rio plainly laid it all out, sensing that it was a serious matter.

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Remembering the time of Luca’s appointment, 1 hour with all three of them, one hour with Luca and Kaiser, and one hour with just Luca. If she left right after her session, she wouldn’t have to speak with Kaiser.

Although it pained her to say goodbye to Luca so soon, she really didn’t want to be here anymore. She felt as if she would blow up in Kaiser’s face due to the accusations he hurled at her.

“Let’s say about 2 hours? I don’t need a truck since it’s only two suitcases. Same with the storage unit. The one in your building will probably be fine.”

“Okay. I’ll be there. Just text me the address. I have a code to enter Paradise Cove, so I don’t need it, but if the place is gated, let security know you have a guest. We can talk about what’s going on later. As long as you're okay. You’re okay, right? Do I need to curse somebody out?”

“Yeah, I fine and I got it… Thanks.”

“That’s what childhood friends are for. See you in a bit.”

The phone cut off, and she just sat there staring blankly at the wall for several minutes.

Her brain felt overloaded today, and she really just needed a moment to lay down, think, and recalibrate herself.

Knock knock.

A gentle tapping sound came from the door, and she quickly got up to open it.

Seeing that it was Luca, she gave him a soft smile before picking him up and pressing kisses to his cheeks as she carried him down the hall.

“Auntie Val, are you okay? It’s time for my appointment.”

“I’m fine, my little nugget, just a little tired. I missed you.”

“Then you need to take a nap, or you’ll be cranky. Can I sleep with you tonight?” Luca asked with hopeful eyes.

“Not tonight, my little nugget. I’m going to spend some time at my friend’s place before I fly to work. This will be our last day together.”

Seeing his despondent look, she pressed a kiss to his fluffy cheeks and continued walking.

Spotting Kaiser staring at her from the length of the hallway, she blankly stared at him and spoke in the most customer service voice she could manage.

“Someone is coming to get my suitcases. If you’re willing to grant me permission to leave, please notify security to let them in. Additionally, I’m informing you ahead of time that I won’t be spending the next couple of nights here, so please take care of Luca and read him his bedtime story before putting him to sleep.”

“Valentina, let’s talk.”

“Will that be a problem, or am I held hostage here? Am I not allowed to step out? Or, do I need to write a proposal for your approval first?” she asked him calmly, not wanting to bring the topic up in front of Luca.

“It’s not like that. Obviously, you’re free to do whatever you want.”

“Then please notify the appropriate people. It’s rude to keep people waiting, so let’s go talk to the good doctor.”

As she breezed by him, Luca observed the cold look on his Auntie Val’s face before glaring at his father. The stinky, ugly man had done something to make her upset. That was why he couldn’t sleep with her tonight.

As Valentina came down the stairs and walked into the smaller sitting room, she placed Luca on the loveseat while sitting by herself on the armchair.

Kaiser walked in. Seeing Valentina sitting by herself, he restrained a sigh and sat down beside Luca, who was looking at her with puppy eyes. Honestly, he felt like doing the same.

As Dr. Howard stared at the tense atmosphere in the room between the two adults, he hid a smile. It seemed that Kaiser had indeed taken his advice, and some progress had been made not only with Luca but with him in relationships. Even though there was conflict, it was still a sign of progress.

“Miss Valentina, how are you doing?” Doctor Howard asked with a soft smile.

“I’m great, thank you. How are you?”

“I’m doing well. I heard you’ve successfully released some projects at work. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Valentina replied with a bright smile.

“Luca, how are you doing today?”

“I’m okay!”

“Did you eat breakfast today?”

“Yes!”

“Good, good. Now let’s move on…”

As the three of them chatted with the psychiatrist, Valentina properly answered every question that came her way. When Luca left Kaiser on the loveseat and came to sit on her lap, she properly held him, placing kisses on his head as he clutched her hand tightly while answering the doctor’s questions.

As the session rounded to a close, she respectfully bowed her head to the doctor.

“Actually, do you mind if I have some words with Luca? I have another engagement, so I need to leave soon.”

“Of course. Thank you so much for your time, Valentina. Kaiser, why don’t you stay with me? I have some words to say to you. Luca, why don’t you go with Valentina and get a snack afterward? I’ll get you in a moment.”

“Okay!”

As Valentina led him out, Luca looked between her and Kaiser before pointing at Kaiser and yelling, “Ugly meanie!”

Although she wanted to laugh, she quickly corrected him.

“Luca, that’s not very nice. You need to apologize to your father.”

“No! He’s an ugly meanie!”

As Luca ran out, she shrugged before following him, not sparing Kaiser a single glance.

When she came out to the living room, she saw that someone had brought down all her suitcases and neatly arranged them.

Seeing Luca standing in front of them with a blank expression, she squatted down and wrapped him in her arms.

“Are you leaving?” he whispered quietly, his eyes watering.

“Yes, my little nugget. I’m traveling soon, so I want to go say goodbye to my other friend the way I’m saying goodbye to you now.”

“I don’t want you to go,” Luca whispered as he clung to her.

“It’s not forever. And remember, we’ll call and send each other video messages, right? When I come back from work, I will definitely come back to see my favorite person in the whole world, which is you. Don’t cry; you’ll make Auntie cry, too.” Valentina told him as her eyes began watering as well.

“Hic. Hic. Okay.” As he began suppressing his sobs, his whole body shaking, she carried him while patting his back, her own tears coming down as well. The two of them softly cried while gripping each other tightly, as if they were afraid the other person would float away if they didn’t.

When she heard a car honk and rapid knocks on the door, she walked to the front of the house and opened the front door, seeing Rio in overalls, a baseball cap, and boots.

“Hey Val! What’s- whoa. Why the tears? Uh Val? Are you okay?” Rio asked in a concerned tone, seeing both woman and child crying. She had sounded angry on the phone, so he thought she had fought with Kaiser, but now both she and his son were crying. Was Kaiser kicking her out? Was she taking the kid?

What was going on?

“I’m, sniff, fine, sniff. My suitcases, sniff, are inside. Come in, hic.”

She held the door open for him and quickly led him to the living room why, trying to wipe her tears discreetly. How embarrassing. Being caught crying.

“Here they are.” She gestured to the suitcases, and without saying a word, Rio quickly grabbed them and took them outside.

As he walked out, she took Luca to the kitchen and wiped his face with a warm towel. She pressed gently kisses on his cheeks.

“Luca. My little nugget. You know your Auntie Val loves you, right?”

“Really?” Luca stopped sniffling and stared at her with wide eyes. Seeing the longing in those eyes, her heart couldn’t help but soften. Who wouldn’t love such a cute child?

“Yes, of course. Who wouldn’t love a cutie like you. I love you lots and lots. And I’ll miss you lots and lots. So you have to be happy, okay? Eat your veggies, take a bath, go to bed on time, and do not throw your tablet, and before you know it, I’ll be done with work and will come to visit Luca. Okay?”

“Okay. Auntie Val?”

“Yes, my little nugget?”

“I love you too.” He whispered shyly, his whole face turning a bright red.

Seeing it, she gave him her bright, honest smile before kissing his fluffy cheeks again.

“I know. Let’s go find your dad, okay?”

“Okay.”