VALERIA

I immediately walked toward the bed, my heart tightening in my chest, but I sighed in relief when I saw him open his bright blue eyes, very much alive and well.

"Thank you so much, Miss Valeria, for helping me at the park," he said in a soft, polite child's voice that melted my heart.

The saddest part of all, given my possible infertility, was that I had always loved pups.

"You're welcome, little Edward. I just did what anyone would have done," I replied, sitting on the edge of the bed.

He smiled sweetly, and his small, soft hand reached out to grasp mine, which rested on the blanket.

He looked so lonely in this dark, isolated room.

I didn’t need to stay long to realize the “defective” child was clearly not the favorite.

"Could you open the curtains, please? It's too dark in here," I asked the maid, and for a moment, I felt Edward’s hand tense against mine.

But when I looked at him, nothing seemed wrong, and he quickly relaxed.

The heavy curtains were drawn open, letting sunli